Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses…..

I have been moved by the journey of more that 52,000 children from Latin America to the United States in the last several weeks. While mass migrations many times greater are common in other parts of the world, it seems much more poignant when these individuals cross the border into the United States.  I cannot imagine hugging my child for what may be the last time to send him on a dangerous journey of many hundreds of miles in hopes that he will have a better life than the one I am able to provide for him.  I am reminded of the images from 1975 when Vietnamese parents thrust their frightened children into the arms of Westerners as Saigon fell at the hands of the Communists.  Being the Americans that we are, citizens have stepped forward offering their opinions to address this crisis.  Some say send them back; others suggest we provide a safe haven for the neediest among us.  My dear friend and former missionary, Daniel Thompson, spent a number of  years working in a refuge camp in Southeast Asia.  I am curious as to his response to this crisis.

I am pleased to say that Catholic Charities in Fort Worth is spearheading an initiative to render aid to these children.  In fact, they are taking applications for those interested in fostering these children.  A very wise federal judge in Dallas has made a way for 2000 of these children to be sheltered in Dallas until such time a more permanent solution may be found.  Whether these children stay in the US, or return to their home countries is an issue for another day.  Today, the issue is to find avenues of compassion and care for them.  The writer of Hebrews provides us with an interesting perspective, “Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it.”