Why Seeing Matters

In our gospel story for this coming Sunday, John the Baptist sees Jesus walk by and calls him “the lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.” What’s ironic is that Jesus was so poor his family couldn’t even afford a lamb to sacrifice at the temple - they used turtle doves instead. John SEES Jesus for who he truly is and names his destiny, while the rest of the crowd just sees a random guy who isn’t even rich.

Last week, Alan shared some remarkable icons by artist Kelly Latimore, which remind us that the image of God can always be found in poor people. I encourage you to view the icons here. They are similar to the portrait of the Holy Family as an immigrant mother and child that was hanging in our church the Sunday after Christmas.

Why does it matter to see Christ in the poor? The ELCA is calling on us to be a counterweight to our culture’s dehumanizing language for immigrants and other targeted groups. In a statement last month, the Church specifically condemned:

• Language that separates people into groups of “us” and “them,” assigning negative traits or motives to the group seen as “other.” (“Genetically superior/inferior”; “You can’t trust [X type of person]”; “They are corrupting our values.”) 

• Language that treats people as less than human, equating them with animals, filth, contamination or disease. (“Animals,” “infestation,” “cancer,” “cesspool.”) 

• Language that equates people with danger or disaster. (“An invasion,” “swarms of people,” “flooding our borders,” “They’re bringing crime and destruction.”) 

• Language that assigns violence, criminality, corrupt values or other negative characteristics to a group of people just because of who they are or where they are from. (“Violent criminals”; “terrorists”; “People from [X country] don’t share our values.”)

Pastor Teresita “Tita” Valeriano, ELCA program director for Asian and Pacific Islander Ministries, issued a related statement, calling on all Christians to recognize God’s spirit:

in the refugee family, seeking safety and peace from hunger and violence;

• in the migrant worker, for their hands and body to bring food to our tables;

• in the asylum-seekers, seeking justice for their families;

• in the unaccompanied child, traveling alone in a chaotic and dangerous world;

• in the immigrant individual families, creating brave spaces in the face of threat of separation from their loved ones;

• in the eyes of those targeted by hate and discrimination for living their authentic selves.

Let us join in with the words of her Epiphany prayer:

 God of love and compassion, 

Give us hearts that break open so we can take risks in service and advocacy;

Give us ears that no longer turn deaf to their voices and laments in times of need;

Give us eyes to recognize a moment for grace instead of a threat.

Give us voices that will never be silent and instead decide to advocate prophetically.

Give us hands that stretch out in generous welcome, but also in work, for a world of justice until all are safe and secure.

For we know that you are here, Immanuel, and your light is leading us. Amen.

with love, Pr. Chelsea