By Sarah Callahan
Gray Space Graces
We live in a time, for the first time, where we have access to news at our fingertips 24/7. Never before have we been so aware of the many injustices happening across the globe every day. Never before have we been privy to the opinions of our brothers and sisters near and far. Never before have we spent so much time on our phones.
These realities come with a drawback; it is easier than ever to feel overwhelmed and helpless. When we get into a cycle of doom-scrolling, it feels incredibly isolating. We can feel paralyzed into inaction, but I have found that tapping into local community can be a superpower that helps us to feel less alone and gives us the courage to take the next step.
In February, I saw an announcement for an immigration coalition meeting in the Quad Cities. The tragedy of our treatment of immigrants and refugees in this country breaks my heart and I was floundering trying to find something meaningful that I could do about it. I seized the opportunity and attended the first meeting. I was met by a group of passionate, loving and hard-working people — folks from around the community, from a multitude of backgrounds and walks of life — who have been doing the Lord’s work and fighting the good fight for many years.
Over the last few months of my work with the coalition, I have learned that we are so powerful when we put our heads and hearts together. We have worked with local cities to make proclamations of our care for immigrants in our home communities; we have facilitated tables at cultural events; we have hosted an art and essay contest for immigrant youth. We have other initiatives in the works that will help to protect the immigrants and refugees who are our family, neighbors, coworkers and friends. Our impact is amplified when we work together.
I was on the subcommittee that organized our art and essay contest; seeing and reading the submissions from these young immigrants touched my heart. They shared about their struggles being accepted by their peers, but also of their hopes for the future. Their resilience struck me. I couldn’t imagine myself as a middle-schooler navigating a new language, trying to make friends and facing not only peers’ negative comments but adults’ comments about my presence at school and in this country.
These are children coping with all of this, while also being fearful of separation from their families. Yet, they still find hope despite the challenges. Our country is supposed to be one of freedom, acceptance and opportunity. Our faith teaches us to welcome and care for the migrant. Jesus said, “for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me” (Matthew 25:35-36). It’s easy to imagine Jesus today adding, “for I was unhoused, and you gave me somewhere to stay, I was an immigrant and you welcomed me, I was a refugee and you offered me refuge, afraid and you offered me comfort.”
At a recent Sunday Mass, this reading was proclaimed: “Whatever town you enter and they welcome you, eat what is set before you, cure the sick in it and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God is at hand for you.’ Whatever town you enter and they do not receive you, go out into the streets and say, ‘The dust of your town that clings to our feet, even that we shake off against you.’ Yet know this: the kingdom of God is at hand. I tell you, it will be more tolerable for Sodom on that day than for that town” (Luke 10:8-12).
It made me wonder, would ours be the towns whose dust was being shaken off the feet of the disciples? Immigrants and refugees bring with them deep knowledge, rich culture and the hope of a brighter future. How dare we turn that away?
While I still get overwhelmed by the nonstop flood of bad news, knowing that I am working to make a difference in my local community eases that overwhelm. Working with other folks who have a far greater reach and impact than I do also gives me hope for the future of our community and nation. We are a country of immigrants; we are a Church of immigrants and I pray that we remember that. We all came from somewhere and just want to belong. We all want a home where we can live, work and love until we reach our eternal home in heaven.
(Sarah Callahan is social media coordinator for the Diocese of Davenport.)
