PENTECOST XIX
October 3, 2021
“No Longer Strangers, but Citizens”
Little did I know that when I poured a cup of coffee and opened the Mondaypaper, that I would be so uplifted by a column in that day’s edition. But a headline immediately caught my eye: “Immigrants help retirees. So the retirees decided to help them” it read in large print. Intrigued, I read the article and found such good news it just needed to be shared. I’ll try to condense it, but can’t promise it’ll be short.
I read of a retirement community in northern Virginia which employs a large number of immigrants, who work as health aides, housekeepers and cooks, maintenance workers, custodians and groundskeepers. The residents have enjoyed getting to know these people who interact with them every day, learning about their native countries and their lives. With the pandemic creating a strain on health care workers, many have come to appreciate the crucial role these individuals play in caring for our vulnerable loved ones. But these workers are vulnerable, too, as they have the documentation to live and work in the United States, but they aren’t citizens.
A group of residents at Goodwin House decided to participate in an effort to support almost 90 workers in the journey to citizenship. They began by raising money to pay the filing fees for the primary citizenship forms — $725 each! And then the work began in earnest, as residents tutored their helpers on spelling, the constitutional amendments, the writers of the Federalist papers, the rights of U.S. citizens, and other questions on the citizenship test. The investment of time and money paid off, and the day arrived when these workers participated in the citizenship ceremony, followed by a joy-filled party at Goodwin House, where residents and workers celebrated the momentous occasion.
Although this group of retirees wasn’t identified with a particular church or faith group, we certainly can see God’s Spirit at work, as assistance was offered and accepted, warm, affectionate relationships were established, and lives were enriched and changed. By reaching out, offering support and encouragement, and welcoming those who had been outsiders, they were doing God’s work, enriching themselves and their community. References to foreigners, aliens, strangers, outsiders, and citizens, show up throughout the Bible, as people were identified by both the country they came from as well as their ancestral tribe. Both the ancient Hebrew Law and the teachings of Jesus instructed people to welcome strangers, extending hospitality as they would wish to receive themselves. In the Sermon on the Mount, our Lord told those listening that when they provided food, drink, welcome, clothing, care and comfort to those in need, they were doing it to him.
As Jesus’ ministry continued, his message was shared more broadly, and many Gentiles (non-Jews) came to hear the good news of God’s love and forgiveness for all. Writing to the Ephesians, the Apostle Paul emphasizes that all humanity is brought together through Christ. “So he (Jesus) came and proclaimed peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near; . . . So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are citizens with the saints and members of the household of God. . .” (Ephesians 2:17, 19)
Your friend in Christ,
Mary Rogers
P.S.: The column referenced was in the September 27 Cedar Rapids Gazette