The Darkness is Us

“You are the light of the world.” -Matt. 5:14

Late last night, we arrived home from a long trip. When we entered the house, everything was dark. With hands full of luggage, I tried to turn the light on. After a few missed attempts, my son started to get scared. My hands were simply too full to turn it on. After I tried and missed again, my son screamed out, “I need some light.” We are in a similar place. We need some light.

Can you follow Jesus while living behind the borders of the richest nation on earth? I wonder. It is a question that should haunt every Christian in this country. How can we live so comfortably when so many live with so little? In recent days, we have closed our borders to some of the most vulnerable people in the world. We are not the light of the world. We are purveyors of darkness. We are responsible for whatever happens next. How? We are guilty by association. We are accomplices to the crimes. We are behind the walls. Most Christians live like everything is ok. Nothing is ok. Our faith is under siege. Our government is prohibiting us from welcoming the stranger. Our government is prohibiting us from being Christians. Jesus is the stranger. Without the stranger, there is no Christianity. While we go about our lives, the light is gone. We are the darkness. Somebody please get us some light.

Amen.