Let the Children Come to Me: Words Upon Arrival at an Immigration Action in Washington, D.C.

There is a child crying nearby and we ignore it.  The louder the cries of the child become the more we cover our ears.  The crying grows louder and louder until it reaches a desperate scream yet still we refuse to be moved.  Then the cry goes silent.  This is the story of our relationship with the cries of the children of Central America.  We have ignored their cries demanding justice for so long that they have now arrived at our doorstep.  Will we continue to ignore them?

No.  I simply cannot.  I arrived today in Washington, D.C. to participate in an action with clergy and immigration activists from all over the country to demand morality in our approach to the children of Central America.  I will raise my cry to shake the consciences of all that I come in contact with.  Our words should always be the words of Jesus, “Let the children come to me.”

Amen.