How might you help a foreigner or someone of a different race this week?

All of today's Bible readings are about God's attitude toward different races and nations in the world, especially strangers and foreigners. It is particularly relevant to two of today's hot-button social issues—namely, immigration and racism.

These Bible readings clearly teach the dignity of all nations, races, and peoples, for all are God's children, made in his image and called to eternal happiness with him. It also teaches the divinely ordained differences between nations, cultures, and races, as between different individuals. 

Without defining particular policies, these Bible readings clearly condemn extremes. A nation's instincts should be welcoming and hospitable toward immigrants, foreigners, and minorities and also true to its own identity, which necessarily includes law and order and safe borders. Different individuals, races, nations, and genders all have distinct identities, but those differences are intended not just for preservation but for communication and mutual giving.  

Over my thirty years as a priest, I was blessed to work in Colombia and Mexico.  How might you help a foreigner or someone of a different race this week?  What can you share with them? What might they share with you?

Fr Mark Zacker

Pastor