Sometime in the early 1800s, a brother and sister stowed
away on a boat in a German port hoping to come to America. When the boat arrived at the Port of New
Orleans, they found their way ashore and settled near Natchez, MS. It is a miracle they didn’t get thrown
overboard when they were discovered! I don’t know what motivated my Girlinghouse
ancestors, or why they felt compelled to take such dangerous measures to leave their
homeland. But, they came. No doubt, they came looking for a better life
and to escape whatever troubles they faced in their old one. I only live here because of their decision to
come and I count that as a blessing.
When Abram, his wife Sarai and their clan heeded God’s call
and immigrated from Haran to Canaan, they weren’t the only ones on the
move. We know that was a time of
significant migration and change all across Asia. We know, from the stories of Abram and Sarai
in Genesis, that their immigration was fraught with challenges, dangers, perils
and some unfriendly receptions. And yet,
God went with them. God blessed them and
ultimately, the whole world for their faithfulness.
The scriptures are full of stories about immigrants and immigration. Joseph brought his family to Egypt during a
time of severe famine. Moses led the
people for forty years in the wilderness before they finally returned to
Canaan. Joseph took his family to Egypt
to escape the murderous King Herod after Jesus was born. The prophet Jeremiah, reflecting a long history
of justice for the alien, declares the word of the Lord, “…If you do not
oppress the alien, the orphan, and the widow, or shed innocent blood in this
place, and if you do not go after other gods to your own hurt, then I will dwell with you in this place…” (7:6-7) Jesus says that when we welcome the stranger,
we are, in fact, welcoming him. (Matthew 25:35).
Following this long biblical tradition, Christian churches
have for centuries welcomed, settled and supported immigrants, refugees and
displaced persons from around the world.
Lutheran Christians in the United States have been at the forefront of
this ministry for more than a century through the Lutheran Immigration and
Refugee Service (lirs.org). At this time, when so many people around the
world are being displaced by war, violence, crime, poverty, famine and a host
of other threats, this ministry is still critical. Even more, I think welcoming the stranger
still reflects both the heart and the compassion of our God.
So, Abram went, and God went with him and his family to a
new land. My Girlinghouse ancestors
went, and I believe God went with them as well.
Who, I wonder, is God sending to bless us today?
Peace,
Bishop Mike
Thank-you for reading.
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