11 January | Youth
«You shall neither mistreat a stranger nor oppress him, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt.» Exodus 22:21
The movements of people who leave their place of origin and head to another part of the world in search of refuge have recently been called cross-border migration. These movements are no longer just exit or entry; they indicate mobility in multiple directions. In other words, in all places and circumstances there are human beings displaced from where they were born or grew up. There are always foreigners wandering far from home.
On two occasions, I (Ailton) experienced this reality very closely. The first experience was with Haitian immigrants. The majority moved to Brazil because of the serious earthquake that shook Haiti in 2010. The second experience was with Venezuelan immigrants in the state of Roraima. This migratory wave was motivated especially by the economic and political crisis experienced in Venezuela.
In both cases, I arrived at an obvious conclusion: the foreigner needs support and generosity from people. Many traveled on foot for long days, carrying children on their laps, with little clothing, little water and almost no food. Others had the illusion that the country that would welcome them would be a paradise and that things would be easier. The reality is that they found a lack of job opportunities and great difficulty in surviving.
How many times has my heart bled when I see children on the street, without food, clothing, or shelter! In these moments, a request cried out in my chest: Come back soon, Jesus! The suffering in the world is unbearable.
In the Bible, God's guidance is clear about the need for residents to support and assist the pilgrim. If this is not possible for some reason, the least you can do is not distress or harass them.
Biblical concern for foreigners still resonates strongly today. It is essential that our eyes are focused on the needs of those who are far from home and, therefore, are vulnerable and in need of help in many ways. The stranger in the Bible is a reminder that we need to love people not only with words, but with actions.