Search This Blog

Friday, September 23, 2022

Imago Dei

 We have a duty to treat everyone the same, as if they were Jesus.  We are made in the image of God.  We shouldn't play a joke at the expense of another.  That's mean and cruel.

It has been said that the governor of Florida wanted Massachusetts to share in the burden of immigration, so he sent the migrants up. I would accept that premise and Massachusetts has sanctuary cities that would welcome them.  But Governor De Santis didn't send them to any of the sanctuary cities.  Instead, he sent them to an island that wasn't prepared to help them.  That's using people to make his point without thinking that they are imago Dei.  It was a stunt.  You  can't treat people like that.

Fortunately, the people at Martha's Vineyard welcomed them.  There were 48 asylum seekers.  They landed at Martha's Vineyard airport in the dark with no one to welcome them.  De Santis didn't tell Martha's Vineyard that they were coming.  Consequently, the asylum seekers didn't no what to do when they landed, where to go.  It's a small airport and was essentially closed.  So all 48 of them walked down the road to where they saw the lights of civilization.  It was three miles.  A couple of hours in the dark, walking, carrying small children when they were tired.  

Ron Schloerb / AP
/

AP

Ron Schloerb / AP

Once the situation was known, the asylum seekers were welcomed.  There were funny exchanges, "Who are you?"  "Who are you?"  Once the situation was realized the people mobilized.  The people on Martha's Vineyard gave them so much food and warm clothing that the police had to broadcast, "Stop."  The asylum seekers were overwhelmed with help.

Since Martha's Vineyard is only an island of about 15000 people, no hospital, certainly no trauma center, and unfortunately no jobs--this time of year, there just weren't the resources to keep the people.  The islanders felt badly that the asylum seekers were sent there thinking they'd be jobs, immigration lawyers to start their asylum process, and schools for their children.  Arrangements were made to ferry the people to Joint Cape Cod Base, where all the needs of the people could be met.  So sadly everyone said "good-bye."  But it was a happy goodbye and a hopeful sendoff.  After all, these asylum seekers are people made in the image and likeness of God and shouldn't be jerked around to make political points.

No comments:

Galilean Fish Broil

BIBLICALLY BROILED FISH This Lenten recipe comes from “A Continual Feast.”  Note the beautiful story of Jesus appearing to the apostles on t...