Marta, the founder of Feel Think Write project, wrote a feuilleton for the Polish protestant quarterly Pismo er on the immigrant issue according to her faith. We would like to present it to you as it relates to our concern.
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| Marta Bigda |
Immigrants. Word that can be a problem for some to be said. How exactly, as Christians, are we supposed to welcome them? Before we will en masse shout: Let us love them with all our might, and in case - turn the other cheek, let us have a moment to think it over.
Not so long ago I have been asked to deliver a sermon during World's Day of Prayer in city of Wrocław. Every year women prepare a service in the intention of women from around the world to be hold in different countries (every year it is different country) and send the message across the globe.
Each part of the liturgy is led by ladies from local Churches, including Catholic. Service means not only prayer, but also stories of women who prepared it. This time it's organisers came from France, and the main topic – the problem of immigration.
Some of them, while fleeing from their fatherlands, found a new home in France. Others landed in a hell on earth. When one listened to their stories, one could come to realisation that the their future only depended on hosts, people already living in their new country. And Christ assure us, that who is sad, will be blessed, because they will be consoled. Perhaps it is us, the hosts, who are supposed to be God's tool of this consolation?
The point of view depends...
As citizens of Poland we should be much more understanding. Just in the 80's of previous century we had to seek support from foreign powers. And now many of our own become immigrants who seek job in other countries. However: do families of these who left Poland to find job in London or Chicago are as friendly towards foreign newcomers? Even if: is that the same level of hospitality they would expect from Londoners, or inhabitants of Chicago towards their relatives?
When I am pondering this matter I can imagine two very different images of an immigrant whom I have met by myself. Both in person, and via different medias. First one presents a man seeking a chance to better their life. They come to different country, they want to learn their culture and it's citizens. They respect the law, both written and common courtesy of their new homeland.
The second image shows us a man who seeks the place better than the one he has been living in to this day, but they do not care what laws it lives by. They isolate themselves with fence, he displays a flag and he says: This is my part of land now, I will set the rules here, the ones I brought with myself from the old country. When I will invite him to my house he won't even think about taking off his shoes before he crosses my doorstep.
God loves and demands
To help the man who is eager to cooperate is a joy. I have a privilege to take part in meetings of certain international club, which has been found by immigrants who came to live in Wrocław. The last time I have been there we were watching a Polish comedy Miś with English subtitles. The elder Polish couple has been invited to the meeting so the participants who did not understand certain jokes or situations could ask them questions and expand their knowledge. This shows that members of this club want to learn about Polish history and culture. They also learn Polish language (and that is really worthy of appreciation considering all different rules, hard pronunciation and irregular declension).
However: what one can do, if the newcomer does not want to shake hands with us despite of that we extended our hand towards them? Jesus told us to love our enemies. It is very beautiful, but it still leaves me thinking if this love without a thought is the love Christ describes? Surely God loves us, but he also demands from us, does He not?
The Bible says that the faith without the deeds is dead. The ones who were granted love must not rest on the laurels. Perhaps this is this wise loving the all parents of the world dream of? Let us think about it. If the father will grant every wish of his child and will turn the blind eye towards it's misbehavior (including the one which insults him) will we call him a good father?
The way described by Christ is not an easy one. We are supposed to love wisely. At the same time we are supposed to look at our deeds from the different point of view and check if we too are not to blame. Certainly the behavior of immigrants is not only determined by themselves. Our behaviors is important too.
In psychology there is something called self-fulfilling prophecy. If we will assume that someone is not friendly towards us we will unconsciously behave as if he already offended us in some way. Snappy responses and dirty looks become something common. And they determine the behavior of the man who in return becomes our foe. It is important to remember that.
To forgive the stranger
It is not the end of the hard way Christ describes us. We are to know how to forgive. It sounds easy, but is not when to comes to someone whom we really do not know.
It is even harder to distinguish what we can offer to different people. Do not throw your pearls before swine, says Christ in the Gospel of Matthew. He too warns us that those who will not be able to or will wish not to accept our gifts may harm us. Both consciously and unconsciously.
Phew... It is enough to just learn all these requirements to feel tired. But maybe they are worth the hassle. Maybe it is good to have open hearts and arms. Wisely - just like the Jesus says, and to be ready to host unexpected guests in our fatherland. Not only for them, but also for us. In the end: If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness...
Source: Marta Bigda: Otwarte serca i ramiona, ale z głową, Pismo er
Translation: Piotr Telichowski, Feel Think Write International Project
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