DO NOT DISCRIMINATE!

XXIII SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME - James 2:1-5

“Courage! Do not be afraid (Is 35:4)

This same message is repeated time and again throughout the Bible, both in the Old and New Testaments. God reassures us. He is always by our side. And we need to hear this reassuring voice of God mainly in moments of despair, when we lose all hope and feel helpless. When we are surrounded by darkness, Jesus touches our eyes and orders: “Be  opened” (Mk 7:34), so that we may see his light and find peace.

The times we live in are troubled times, with heavy clouds that do not allow us to see what is coming. Violence seems to be on the increase everywhere, with people trying to solve their grievances by recurring to the use of arms. On the daily news, we see people coming by their thousands, walking all roads, crossing the waters and jumping over the fences, fighting for survival or simply for a better life. There are true refugees, running away from conflict and war, and there are others running from poverty and dreaming with an eldorado that does not exist.

And Europe feels threatened by the new comers: they may take away our jobs, and deprive us of our wellbeing. This fear leads to the rejection of this multitude of refugees. Several countries have closed the borders, put up fences and locked them out. Some do not allow them to cross their territories and leave them in open spaces without food or water. Europe is becoming a fortress, forgetting that not so many years ago their parents had to run away from war, relying on others goodwill until they could enjoy peace again.

We may apply to Europe’s situation the parable of Lazarus and the rich man (Lk 16:19). We the rich enjoy  our peace and guard our wellbeing, while closing our doors and locking out the poor Lazarus who challenges our attitudes.

This picture of the little child washed up on the beach demonstrates the drama of thousands of people running away from war, suffering and death to find rejection and death at the doors of the rich neighbour.

St. James, in his letter, makes it very clear that God takes the side of the poor:

Has not God chosen the poor in the world to be rich in faith and to be heirs of the kingdom that he has promised to those who love him (James 2:5)

We cannot discriminate against the poor and we cannot turn away from them, ignoring their suffering, instead of showing solidarity.

Certainly so big an influx of refugees may change the social and cultural tissue of Europe. But the crisis will not end until its causes are dealt with. And Europe is doing nothing to end the conflict causing this wave of refugees. Crimes against humanity are being committed and nothing is done to stop them. 

We need Jesus to open our eyes so that we may see his face in the faces of the refugees. 

May the message of Isaiah’s give us comfort and motivate our will, leading us into action:

Say to all faint hearts,

‘Courage! Do not be afraid.

Look, your God is coming,

vengeance is coming,

the retribution of God;

he is coming to save you.’

Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened,

the ears of the deaf unsealed,

then the lame shall leap like a deer

and the tongues of the dumb sing for joy. (Is 35:4-6)