Buddhist Catholic Contemplative Evangelical General Christian Hindu Jewish Latter-day Saint Muslim New Visions Progressive Christian

Beliefs

Topics

Columnists

Resource Library

Research Tools

Video

Podcasts

Thought Readers

Faith In Media Tracker

Newsletters

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Follow Patheos

Home
Catholic
Politics and Religion
Christians Must Stand With Christ, Not Greg Abbott

Christians Must Stand With Christ, Not Greg Abbott

Last updated on: September 13, 2023 at 9:23 am by Henry Karlson

0 Comments

Christians Must Stand With Christ, Not Greg Abbott 2023-09-13T09:23:28-05:00 Henry Karlson

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

DonkeyHotey: Greg Abbott / flickr

Cruelty continues to be the point as Texas Governor Greg Abbott pushes on with his fight against migrants at the Texas border. He dehumanizes them in order to justify deadly barriers, barriers which he says are needed to keep people from illegally crossing the border. In reality, he is attacking those who are coming or staying legally, such as those looking for asylum, even as his own tactics are hypocritical as he has workers illegally cross the border to place barriers in Mexican territory as Camilo Montoya-Galvez reported to CBS News (8-15-2023):

Nearly 80% of the controversial floating barrier Texas state officials assembled in the middle of the Rio Grande to deter migrant crossings is technically on the Mexican side of the U.S.-Mexico border, according to a federal government survey released on Tuesday.

It is Abbott, and his administration, who proves to be lawless. He does not care about international laws, which is why he is willing to deploy barriers in Mexico, even as he ignores the human trafficking or smuggling laws which he appears to be breaking; he believes he can do whatever he wants, that might makes right. The implementation of his plan does not only mean the violation of Mexican territory, but also private American property, which, as Valeria Gonzalez and Acacia Coronado explain on AP News (7-24-23): “Wrecking ball-sized buoys on the Rio Grande. Razor wire strung across private property without permission. Bulldozers changing the very terrain of America’s southern border.” While the argument many make are all about how terrible it is for “illegal immigrants” to enter into the United States, and that Abbott is doing what needs to be done to stop them from doing so, the reality is that he is doing so illegally. The immigration problem, which is a major concern, will not be fixed by strong-arm tactics which ignores why many are coming to the United States, nor by ignoring why the United States is not properly processing them and welcoming them as it should.

Sadly, many who claim to be Christian are hostile to immigrants of all kinds. This is why so many of them support Abbott’s cruelty instead of denouncing him as they should. In doing so, they show themselves at odds with their own Scriptures, for Christian Scriptures are clear that they should show hospitality to migrants and refugees: “The stranger who sojourns with you shall be to you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself; for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God” (Lev. 19:34 RSV). Similarly, Scripture said that those who do not follow this principle are to be accursed: “`Cursed be he who perverts the justice due to the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow.’ And all the people shall say, `Amen’” (Deut. 27:29 RSV). Scripture suggests that it was because Israel came to ignore this, that is, because its leaders and authorities, secular and religious, ignored the love and care they should show to others, especially to those in need, no matter where they came from, Israel faced backlash and suffered from a real foreign invasion. The prophets told them that if they changed their ways, what was taken from them could be restored, and then they would find God’s presence once again amongst them:

For if you truly amend your ways and your doings, if you truly execute justice one with another, if you do not oppress the alien, the fatherless or the widow, or shed innocent blood in this place, and if you do not go after other gods to your own hurt, then I will let you dwell in this place, in the land that I gave of old to your fathers for ever (Jer. 7:5-7 RSV).

Israel suffered an invasion, not because they showed respect to foreigners and treated them well, but because they didn’t. Christians should learn that lesson; instead of saying that their country, their land, is being invaded by foreigners, justifying showing cruelty to foreigners to keep them out, they should show hospitality to foreigners, making them welcome so that justice can and will prevail. Similarly, Christians should realize that their Scriptures, and Christian history, is full of promotion, not to those who stand in deference to nation-states and the right of such states to be cruel to others, but to those who were outcasts, migrants or asylum seekers, those who were constantly on the move. Those who aided and defended such outcasts were blessed, while those who despised them and so hurt them, found themselves to be accursed. What happened around Abraham, Moses and the Israelites, the Holy Family, Christians fleeing Jerusalem, all show the truth of this. Later Christian history, when Christians entered other lands, similarly show this point, as those who attacked and killed such Christians were deemed reprehensible while those same Christians were recognized and lifted up as holy martyrs.

In case anyone would suggest that the commands to show hospitality to others, to foreigners, was only for the people of Israel, or for the time before Christ, the New Testament confirms that expectations in many times, such as when the author of the book of Hebrews writes:

Let brotherly love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them; and those who are ill-treated, since you also are in the body (Heb. 13:1-3 RSV).

Christ said that our way of life should be the way of love, something which Paul, likewise, confirmed when he said they should not be cruel to others: “Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law” (Rom. 13:10 RSV). Anyone who would treat those in need with care with such disdain have been warned that they will face the consequence of their actions at the last judgement. “Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me” (Matt. 25:40b RSV). Pope Francis, understanding the relationship between Christ’s words in Matthew 25 and the migrant crisis, said, in his Message for the 109th World Day of Migrants and Refugees (9-24-2023):

“For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me” (Mt 25:35-36). These words are a constant admonition to see in the migrant not simply a brother or sister in difficulty, but Christ himself, who knocks at our door. Consequently, even as we work to ensure that in every case migration is the fruit of a free decision, we are called to show maximum respect for the dignity of each migrant; this entails accompanying and managing waves of migration as best we can, constructing bridges and not walls, expanding channels for a safe and regular migration. In whatever place we decide to build our future, in the country of our birth or elsewhere, the important thing is that there always be a community ready to welcome, protect, promote and integrate everyone, without distinctions and without excluding anyone.

Christians should look to the migrants at the border as they would look to Christ. When they are in need, then Christ is in need. If they truly love Christ, they would do as he said, and so take care of migrants instead of finding excuses to mistreat them, or worse, cause them to needlessly suffer or die.

St. John Paul II, speaking in relation to the 90th World Day of Migrants and Refugees (12-15-2003), said: “No one should be indifferent to the conditions of multitudes of immigrants! They are at the mercy of events, often with dramatic situations behind them.” How many Christians oppose Scripture, and so oppose the way of love? When they do so, they can be said to stand against Christ. Those who stand with Abbott and his cruelty, those who support him doing whatever he wants to migrants and refugees out of his hatred for them, find themselves far from Christ. If they claim their way is the Christian way, all they reveal is they have fallen for a principle from an anti-Christ. Scripture consistently warns us acting in this way places us on the wide-open road to perdition. It is possible for us to correct course, to get off that road. But to do so, we must build bridges and help those in need. Certainly, we must deal with the problems underlying the migrant crisis, doing what we can to make sure people do not feel the need to migrate, even as we must make sure those who find it necessary to become migrants do not find their migration leads them to continue to experience pure hell on earth. Those Christians who stand behind cruelty, who use power as a tool to hurt and dehumanize others, stand not with Christ, but Satan, desiring, as it were, to reign in the hell on earth they have created instead of embracing the kingdom of God with its way of humility and love. We must not let ourselves fall into the temptation which Jesus rejected in the desert. We must stand with Christ and the way of love, and in doing so, resist those, like Abbott, who show no compassion for their fellow humanity.

Stay in touch! Like A Little Bit of Nothing on Facebook.
If you liked what you read, please consider sharing it with your friends and family!

N.B.: While I read comments to moderate them, I rarely respond to them. If I don’t respond to your comment directly, don’t assume I am unthankful for it. I appreciate it. But I want readers to feel free to ask questions, and hopefully, dialogue with each other. I have shared what I wanted to say, though some responses will get a brief reply by me, or, if I find it interesting and something I can engage fully, as the foundation for another post. I have had many posts inspired or improved upon thanks to my readers.

General Christian

Politics and Religion

Previous Post

September 12, 2023

Paradoxes Of The Eucharist

Next Post

September 15, 2023 We Should Not Act As The Judge

Recent Comments

0 | Leave a Comment

"Gosh, did that hit the spot. I have been having great anxiety lately. And I ..."

Mark Wilson

Rejecting Doom: Christian Hope And Human ..."

"Justice and peace are two sides of the same coin. Where there is justice, there ..."

Dr.Cajetan Coelho

Justice First, Charity Beyond It: Serving ..."

"Thank you for your very, very powerful and very, very insightful analysis of the relationship ..."

alwayspuzzled

Justice First, Charity Beyond It: Serving ..."

"Given the amount of lethal malevolence that has prevailed in human history for the past ..."

alwayspuzzled

We Must Value Our Health

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Abortion Abraham abuse Aesthetics AI Aliens Ambrose Ancestors and Everything Andrew Angels Animals Anne Anthony Antisemitism apologetics Apophatic Apostle John Aquinas Artificial Intelligence Asanga Ascension Asceticism Assumption Atheism Attachment Augustine Authority Avarice Balthasar Baptism Beauty Biden birthright citizenship Bishops Black History Books Buddhism Bulgakov Byzantine Calendar C.S. Lewis Calcidius Catholic Catholicism Catholicism Celibacy Charity Chastity children Chrismation Christ Christmas Christology Church Climate Change Common Good Communion Confession Confirmation Conscience Constantine conventions conversion councils Covid Creation Cross Dead Death Death Penalty Debate Deception Demagogues Demons Desert Monks Desert Mothers Desire destruction development Dialogue Dignity Dionsyius Dionysius Discipline Diversity Division Doctor Who doctrine dogma Dormition Dualism Easter Easter Series Ecumenical Councils Ecumenism Education Election Empathy Environment Error Eschatology eschaton Eternity Ethics Eucharist Evangelism Eve Evil evolution Faeries Faith Fear femininity Ficino Florence Florensky Folktale Fools Forgiveness Freedom Future gender Gentile Gentiles Glory Gnostic God gods Good Samaritan Goodness Gospel Government Grace Great Fast Guns Hate healing Health Heaven Hell Hellenism Heresy Hierarchy Hildegard Hinduism History Holiness Holy Spirit Holy Week Hope Horror Human rights humanity Humility hypocrisy ICE icon icons Identification Identity Idol II Nicea Immigration incarnation Individualism Informal Reflections Inklings Intention Inter-Religious Interfaith Internet Interpretation Intrinsic evil Irenaeus Islam Israel Jacob Jerome Jesus Jews John Chrysostom John of Damascus John the Baptist Joseph Judaism justice Justification kenosis Kindnesss Kingdom of God Kingdom of Heaven Law Law of Moses Lazarus Leaf by Niggle Lent Lenten Reflection Liberation Theology Lies Life Listen Literature Liturgy locutions Logic Logos Love Marriage Martyrs Mary Mass Maximos The Confessor Meanness Meditation Mercy Middle Path Migrants Mind Miracles Miriam Morals Moses Movies Music Muslims Myths Names Nationalism Native Americans New Year Nicea Nicholas Nothing Novatian Obedience Occam's Razor Ordination Origen Original Sin Orthodox orthopraxis Pagans Palamas Palm Sunday Paradise Paschaltide Paul Peace Pentecost person Peter piety PKD Plato pluralism Plurality Poem Poetry Poiltics Politics Poor Pope Pope Francis Pope Leo XIV Post Office Prayer Pride Pro-life Prodigal Son propaganda Prophecy Prophets Providence Putin Racism Reading Reason Reflection Refugees Relationships Religion Religion Series Religious Liberty Repent Republicans Rest Resurrection Rich Rites Russia Sacraments Saints Salvation Salvian Santa Science Scripture Self-Giving Sexuality Sibyl Sick Silence Sin Singlehood Social Justice Society Sodom Solovyov Speculations Spiritual Reflection St. Cyril of Alexandria St. Justin Martyr Suffering Sunday of the Paralytic Man Sunday of the Samaritan Woman Superhero Supreme Court Teaching Technology Thanksgiving The Father the Universe Theological Reflection Theology Theosis Theotokos Thomas Timaeus Time Tolerenace Tolkien Tradition Transfiguration Trinity Trump Truth Uncategorized Unity Universities USCCB Value Vatican II Vegetarian Vices Violence Virtue Vocations War Water Welcome Wisdom Womanhood Women Work World View Worship Writing Zacchaeus

Select a Month October 2026 September 2026 August 2026 July 2026 June 2026 May 2026 April 2026 March 2026 February 2026 January 2026 December 2025 November 2025 October 2025 September 2025 August 2025 July 2025 June 2025 May 2025 April 2025 March 2025 February 2025 January 2025 December 2024 November 2024 October 2024 September 2024 August 2024 July 2024 June 2024 May 2024 April 2024 March 2024 February 2024 January 2024 December 2023 November 2023 October 2023 September 2023 August 2023 July 2023 June 2023 May 2023 April 2023 March 2023 February 2023 January 2023 December 2022 November 2022 October 2022 September 2022 August 2022 July 2022 June 2022 May 2022 April 2022 March 2022 February 2022 January 2022 December 2021 November 2021 October 2021 September 2021 August 2021 July 2021 June 2021 May 2021 April 2021 March 2021 February 2021 January 2021 December 2020 November 2020 October 2020 September 2020 August 2020 July 2020 June 2020 May 2020 April 2020 March 2020 February 2020 January 2020 December 2019 November 2019 October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz