So how are we doing? To ‘scandalize’ someone in the Bible context would be to cause them to fall away or turn aside from the embrace of the kingdom of God, to cause them to fall or stumble as they seek to walk the way of the followers of Jesus. Are we doing that - or its opposite? How are we doing, at welcoming and encouraging the ‘little ones’ - new believers, children, strangers - as fellow servants or beloved ones of our Savior?
These questions we ask ourselves both as individuals and as a church; and we even might push the question out into civil society, social organizations, work environments, casual encounters in the checkout line… just as we might confront any exclusive or rude behavior, especially toward those who most need us to speak up.
One of my favorite stories from the webinar I watched Thursday afternoon (September 25th 2021) from the Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service was the experience one of their own case managers had when he and his family arrived at the Phoenix airport, as UN vetted refugees from Iraq. There were people standing there with banners with their names on them to welcome them. “I thought you said you didn’t know anybody here,” his wife said. It turned out these were their sponsors for resettlement.
That matches something that Steve Farley organized at Tucson International Airport a few years ago for people arriving from overseas. Here the banners read ‘Arizona Welcomes Refugees’ and local church people held them high.
Similar efforts continue here in southern Arizona through Lutheran Social Services and the International Rescue Committee.
Like many efforts to welcome the stranger or the unknown friend, these activities can be challenging to me, maybe to all of us, if we are not familiar or regularly engaged in the activity.
As for me one of the joys of visiting the former Benedictine Shrine of Perpetual Adoration on Country Club Drive, back when it was the host site for newly-released refugees and migrants, was going there with a young cousin from another state, who could see for herself what was going on, and meet a few people, volunteers and guests, rather than just seeing it through the lens of media.
Those are collective actions and sometimes there is a feeling of safe exploration beyond where one of us might go alone. It is, as a friend advised me when I first came to the borderlands, a good practice to begin by making friends. Good food, music, laughter - these take us away from our formal associations and identities. And after all, isn’t breaking bread together what we are all about?
When I meet you, Lord, in the person of a stranger, a child, one of your little ones, please welcome me and break bread with me, or share a human moment, that we might do justice, love mercy, and walk together on the pilgrim road to grace.
JRL+
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