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Jesus gave a message about treating foreigners; Rev. Martin R. Bartel (MRB); Beaver County Times; August 27, 2017.
Below is a detailed review of the subject letter.
“After the tragedy in Charlottesville and its aftermath, it was quite appropriate that last weekend those using the Revised Common Lectionary listened to the story of Jesus responding to the Canaanite woman’s plea for a healing for her daughter. (Matthew 15:21-28)
“Jesus’ disciples sought to send her away because she was a foreigner. She was different; their concern did not extend to her kind. Jesus disagrees with their exclusivity and rewards the woman’s great faith.”
[RWC] I don’t see the connection between “the tragedy in Charlottesville and its aftermath” and how we treat foreigners.
“Although he holds no torch and is not situated near a harbor at the time, I envision him repeating the welcoming words of Emma Lazarus that many of us memorized as children:
“Give me your tired, your poor,
“Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
“The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
“Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
“I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”
[RWC] I still don’t see the connection.
MRB omitted most of Miss Lazarus’ sonnet, “The New Colossus.” The full text is below.
As a reminder, the “Statue of Liberty” has nothing to do with immigration. The statue was a gift from the people of France to the people of the U.S. to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. The statue’s full name is “Liberty Enlightening the World.” The text on the statue’s tablet reads, “July IV MDCCLXXVI” (July 4, 1776). The bottom of the statue shows “Lady Liberty” breaking the chains of oppression.
The Lazarus sonnet is not part of the statue; it’s on a bronze plaque in the museum located in the statue’s base. The plaque, placed in 1903, was in memory of Miss Lazarus who died in 1887.
The New Colossus
“Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,
“With conquering limbs astride from land to land;
“Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand
“A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame
“Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name
“Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand
“Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command
“The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.
“‘Keep ancient lands, your storied pomp!’ cries she
“With silent lips. ‘Give me your tired, your poor,
“Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
“The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
“Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
“I lift my lamp beside the golden door!’”
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