Dear Friends,
On morning newscasts every day, we hear something about refugees,
migrants, immigrants – people on the move not because they want an adventure,
but because they believe they need to move on for the sake of life. They let go
of their local histories and plunge into unknown places, hoping they and their
loved ones survive and ultimately thrive. They are filled with fear and hope
colliding with each other in their minds and hearts. The stories of children
separated from parents at our southern border are especially painful to think about.
Without doubt, the children will be scarred for life. This is abuse.
Since December of 2000, the United Nations has observed June
20 as World Refugee Day, to raise public awareness about refugees and their
status throughout the world. The world’s people are of two minds about the
refugees who come to their shores. This short poem, by British poet Brian
Bilston, invites us to read the poem from
top to bottom for one of these viewpoints and from bottom to top for the alternate view. Same words. Completely different
take on how to treat refugees at our door.
“Refugees
They have no need of our help
“Refugees
They have no need of our help
So
do not tell me
These
haggard faces could belong to you or me
Should
life have dealt us a different hand
We
need to see them for who they really are
Chancers
and scroungers
Layabouts
and loungers
With
bombs up their sleeves
Cut-throats
and thieves
They
are not
Welcome
here
We
should make them
Go
back to where they came from
They
cannot
Share
our food
Share
our homes
Share
our countries
Instead
let us
Build
a wall to keep them out
It
is not ok to say
These
people are just like us
A
place should only belong to those who are born there
Do
not be so stupid to think that
The
world can be looked at another way.”
Lord,
protect all refugees in their search for renewed life, especially the children.
May they find me open to welcome them to America. May they find support in me
as I have found refuge in You. Amen.
~Sister Joan
Sobala
