By Father Kevin Miller
One of the most powerful forces in our world today is what the political scientists call nationalism and the sociologists call tribalism. This viewpoint drives elections and many of our news stories. Tribalism says, “What’s right is the needs of my tribe.”
While not denying the right of nations to make decisions about their interests, the life and teaching of Jesus consistently undercuts tribalism. Consider these verses: "For Christ himself has brought peace to us. He united Jews and Gentiles into one people when, in his own body on the cross, he broke down the wall of hostility that separated us” (Eph. 2:14) and "There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus.”
In Christ, what’s right is what provides dignity and humanity for every person God created. So at the national level, we support policies that treat immigrants and refugees with respect; locally, we support the work of our ministry partner World Relief DuPage Aurora. And in our church, we try to give a warm welcome to every visitor or guest, no matter what their background or how they may be different from us.
Thank you, friends of the Savior, for how you do this.