By Henrita Frost, SSND
Periodically a window in our Mary of the Angels Chapel holds a message out to me. Its center calls to me – this window’s center is speaking loud and clear: “In God’s house there are many dwelling places”. . . (John 14:2). But, what is the message of our Global Community – In our house there are many dwelling places – room for everyone!? Instead, we witness borders, and walls instead of room for everyone.
On April 30, 2018, a caravan of hopeful Central American migrants reached the US-Mexico Border. Many are requesting asylum from violence and crime in their home countries. These migrants wait, wait, wait and dream about entering the US. We are concerned for them and a painful heart is in despair that many will be rejected. Many dwelling places – room for everyone!?
Simultaneously, with the plight of refugees, we frequently hear about building an 18 billion dollar Border Wall – a way to shut people out. For me, the Border Wall is a symbol of violence. Border walls bring back my vivid memories of the anguish I felt as I twice passed through the Berlin Wall to spend time with the Sisters of my community who were separated from our Sisters in West Germany. The Berlin Wall was also built to stem the tide of refugees. Walls are devastating and painful experiences that divide sisters, brothers and all beings. Many dwelling places – room for everyone!?
I mourn the violence that all refugees suffer. Violence seems to have become daily bread in our world today. The choice is ours of what we do about violence. The choice is ours of what we do about dwelling places for everyone. The choice is ours to practice the nonviolence of Jesus. “In God’s house there are many dwelling places”. . . (Suggestion: Sermon on the Mount, Luke 6:17-49)
