LOWELL GRISHAM: Timeless, traditional values

This election, we should make choices that love our neighbors

When I see pictures of refugees, like the group traveling through Central America right now, I always think of Joseph, Mary and Jesus on their journey to Egypt. Warned by a dream, Joseph took his family and fled from the threats of the tyrant King Herod. I imagine Joseph shared his fears and his plans with other families in Bethlehem who joined their trek. I can see their caravan slowly walking the long road with courage and hope. They are leaving a place that threatens their children's lives. They pray for a safe journey and a place of refuge where they can live and work in peace. That's what we all want for our families.

Several generations ago my own ancestors made a similar journey to this country.

Refugee caravans travel in a group for protection. There is safety in numbers. Each family flees for its own particular reason, like the Holy Family. We know Central American gangs threaten to kidnap boys into their criminal activities. They take preteen girls to rape and abuse. They extort families for "protection money." The police are often ineffective, sometimes cooperating with the criminals. What does a parent do? Often, they do what Joseph and Mary did. They flee to another country and seek asylum.

One of the legal ways to enter the U.S. is to present yourself at a border crossing as an asylum seeker. The U.S. has laws and procedures to evaluate the threat and to make a determination if you have a "credible fear" of persecution.

They deserve a fair, legal hearing according to our laws. But I wonder if we might do even better. What if the immigration service asked whether there were American citizens and groups who would like to sponsor these refugees and give them support for a new life?

Not long before I retired, my congregation sponsored two families who legally immigrated to the U.S. The State Department does an excellent job with immigrant background checks. We were hoping to sponsor more when the process of legal immigration suddenly dried up. I'm sure there are other churches, communities and families who would welcome asylum seekers and would love to help them start new, safe lives. Such welcome is part of the American character and tradition.

Right now there is a labor shortage. With full employment, American businesses and communities need willing workers.

As a Christian, I have an obligation to welcome the stranger and to love my neighbor as myself. In his story of the Good Samaritan Jesus taught us that any stranger in need is my neighbor. Surely there are churches and communities that would like to provide refuge for today's Joseph, Maria and Jesus. It's part of being our "best selves."

At a time when there seems to be so much division and name-calling, I'm wondering how we can raise the bar as Americans and reclaim the "better angels of our nature." How can we reclaim the highest ideals or our nation and our faith?

We can remember who we are. We are a welcoming nation. A nation of immigrants. We are a generous nation. Historically we respond with compassion to the needs of neighbors across the globe.

We've got one week until Election Day. I'll be making my decisions based on the great traditions of our nation and on the values and priorities of Jesus.

Jesus spent most of his time healing and teaching. I want elected officials who are committed to extending access to medical care to all people. I want leaders who support a strong public education system and creative skills-training for 21st century workers, especially for workers displaced by technology.

Jesus and the Scriptures command us to care for the vulnerable. Every hard-working person should be able to earn enough to support his or her family. "Give us today our daily bread" means a living wage, "food for tomorrow." These are words from the Lord's Prayer. "And forgive us our debts" reminds me that Jesus was especially sensitive to oppressive financial systems that favor the rich and exploit the vulnerable.

I want our political and economic system to be especially sensitive to the vulnerable and to working people who just can't make ends meet.

Welcome the stranger; love your neighbor. These are timeless national and religious values.

Commentary on 10/30/2018

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