(Second Sunday in Lent)
"The Children" Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16
Delivered to Smith Chapel UMC on March 8, 2009
Part One
Part Two
What I Didn't Say
Alien--When I was a kid, I loved to watch the old sci-fi movies. There were lots of aliens running around in these flicks. I enjoyed seeing how creative the film makers could be in devising new aliens, ET's and ALFs. They just don't make them like that anymore...which is just as well.
Today, the aliens we focus on are illegal aliens. They're not from other planets, they're from other countries. We argue over how we should treat them and if their children should be accepted as one of us. It brings anguish on a lot of our citizens that many of those children become "anchor babies," giving their parents some sort of legal standing in their new country.
We agonize over this in the church because we want to treat people equally and compassionately. Some of us argue that aliens and their children should be unfettered and unconditionally accepted. Others of us argue that we shouldn't readily accept those who would break the law to get here and remain here.
Some are concerned that illegal aliens are mistreated. Others are concerned that they are draining the resources we have in this country to help others. It's not an easy choice for a person of conscience and faith to make.
Are they aliens or are they children of God. They are both, and they are signs of the covenant. That doesn't answer the question, it only makes it harder to decipher. But regardless of which side we ultimately come down upon, we are called upon to love them.
Justice--When the children
have children of their own.
