A few months ago we began hearing the story of a "caravan" making its way from Ecuador, El Salvador and Guatemala through Mexico to the southern US border. I knew that for 10,000 people, men, woman and children, to make this trek, to risk being met with hostility and possibly violence at our border, there had to be g good reason. So I followed the movement of the caravan in the news, online through social media, and prayed. The day when people began arriving, I was horrified by pictures of mothers and children being targets of tear gas granades. I prayed that they would find safety.
Our administration turned people away who were seeking refuge. They once again, locked people in cages disguised as detention centers. They continue to separate mothers and children. To say I am outraged, grieved and even hopeless, dear reader, is an understatement. I keep wondering how we as a people, as the Beloved children of God, got to this point. And now what do we do?
So my bishop and I crafted a pastoral letter. And the California Bishops have published a letter. And I participated in a video conference that significantly disturbed me...which is what the Gospel does if we pay attention. This morning I was privileged to facilitate a conversation with Sean Hawkey, a photojournalist from the UK who traveled with the caravan for a month. Some of the photos he took have been used by World Council of Churches and Church World Services this holiday season calling on Christians to think deeply about their participation in the cause and results of the caravan, calling on us to see the faces of the Holy Family in the faces of these people on the move.
Sean recounted for us the reasons these families are migrating...climate change has ruined farming for many, which results in hunger, poverty, and loss of identity. As a result of hunger and poverty, young people are looking for other ways of providing for their families through either gang affiliation or trafficking...organized crime has become the new normal both socially and politically. So the combination of climate change, violence and poverty as made people desperate and fearful . The caravan became the only viable option at a better life.
As I listened to Sean's story and watched his video, I became increasingly sad. How do we now respond as people of God? And I was thinking of my sermon for Christmas Eve. The sermon that is supposed to help people feel hopeful and excited for the in breaking of God. But how do I preach about the radicalness of God's love and concern for the poor in a night when people want to hear about shepherds and angels and the perfect blonde haired blue eyed infant? How can I move people's hearts the same way mine has been moved, knowing that some people come to church only on Christmas, and usually not to hear politics.
So, faithful companions, one of the things that Sean shared with those of us on the call was his waning hope...that given the causes of this caravan, that he often feels hopeless. And yet, in the midst of his hopelessness, I found hope. And my hope isn't that we can eradicate climate change, violence, poverty or oppression even. Those ships have sailed and at this point we're in response mode. But my hope is in those who can bring voice, awareness and support for those on the front lines. My hope is that God will break in again, and as Mary states in her beautiful and powerful song of praise, God will lift up the lowly and cast down the proud in their conceit. And our role, as Beloved Children of God is to help usher in that new Kingdom that we have seen before and will see again. Jesus turned over tables and now it's our turn. And that's my hope...that Mary calls us out of our complacency to join her son in making water into wine, healing the sick, and standing against the oppressors of our day.
So in 2019 friends, my diocese is going to embark on their own pilgrimage...our own "caravan"...a Pilgrimage of Hope. We are going to walk, share stories, pray, sing and break bread together with the hope of raising awareness and money to help with legal defense funds for those facing deportation to the hell they've so far escaped. It doesn't fix all the problems...in fact, it'll barely make a dent in the issue. But it's a dent. And a dent makes a difference for someone. It's a little bit of hope for someone without hope.
So my faithful companions, consider making pilgrimage with us...whether walking, praying or offering financial support. Help us turn over some tables. Help us celebrate the lives of our immigrant brothers and sisters. Help us partner with God in God's in-breaking.
Our administration turned people away who were seeking refuge. They once again, locked people in cages disguised as detention centers. They continue to separate mothers and children. To say I am outraged, grieved and even hopeless, dear reader, is an understatement. I keep wondering how we as a people, as the Beloved children of God, got to this point. And now what do we do?
So my bishop and I crafted a pastoral letter. And the California Bishops have published a letter. And I participated in a video conference that significantly disturbed me...which is what the Gospel does if we pay attention. This morning I was privileged to facilitate a conversation with Sean Hawkey, a photojournalist from the UK who traveled with the caravan for a month. Some of the photos he took have been used by World Council of Churches and Church World Services this holiday season calling on Christians to think deeply about their participation in the cause and results of the caravan, calling on us to see the faces of the Holy Family in the faces of these people on the move.
Sean recounted for us the reasons these families are migrating...climate change has ruined farming for many, which results in hunger, poverty, and loss of identity. As a result of hunger and poverty, young people are looking for other ways of providing for their families through either gang affiliation or trafficking...organized crime has become the new normal both socially and politically. So the combination of climate change, violence and poverty as made people desperate and fearful . The caravan became the only viable option at a better life.
As I listened to Sean's story and watched his video, I became increasingly sad. How do we now respond as people of God? And I was thinking of my sermon for Christmas Eve. The sermon that is supposed to help people feel hopeful and excited for the in breaking of God. But how do I preach about the radicalness of God's love and concern for the poor in a night when people want to hear about shepherds and angels and the perfect blonde haired blue eyed infant? How can I move people's hearts the same way mine has been moved, knowing that some people come to church only on Christmas, and usually not to hear politics.
So, faithful companions, one of the things that Sean shared with those of us on the call was his waning hope...that given the causes of this caravan, that he often feels hopeless. And yet, in the midst of his hopelessness, I found hope. And my hope isn't that we can eradicate climate change, violence, poverty or oppression even. Those ships have sailed and at this point we're in response mode. But my hope is in those who can bring voice, awareness and support for those on the front lines. My hope is that God will break in again, and as Mary states in her beautiful and powerful song of praise, God will lift up the lowly and cast down the proud in their conceit. And our role, as Beloved Children of God is to help usher in that new Kingdom that we have seen before and will see again. Jesus turned over tables and now it's our turn. And that's my hope...that Mary calls us out of our complacency to join her son in making water into wine, healing the sick, and standing against the oppressors of our day.
So in 2019 friends, my diocese is going to embark on their own pilgrimage...our own "caravan"...a Pilgrimage of Hope. We are going to walk, share stories, pray, sing and break bread together with the hope of raising awareness and money to help with legal defense funds for those facing deportation to the hell they've so far escaped. It doesn't fix all the problems...in fact, it'll barely make a dent in the issue. But it's a dent. And a dent makes a difference for someone. It's a little bit of hope for someone without hope.
So my faithful companions, consider making pilgrimage with us...whether walking, praying or offering financial support. Help us turn over some tables. Help us celebrate the lives of our immigrant brothers and sisters. Help us partner with God in God's in-breaking.