Serendipity? Providence?
Last evening I started into Lawrence Hill's new novel, The Illegal. I managed only a few pages before the physical labour of the day overwhelmed me. The timeliness of the release of this story of an "illegal" immigrant is astonishing in light of the recent world developments with migrants and refugees. The news is filled with stories of displacement and movement by desperate human beings seeking a better life. We all wonder how to respond compassionately, and Christian communities are attempting to mobilize.
What does it mean to be "illegal" in a world where we tout our global reach? What do the human constructs of borders mean anymore? We used to speak of illegitimate babies, those born out of wedlock, and often the term came with considerable judgement and even exclusion. Who uses that term anymore? We have come to realize that there is no such thing as an illegitimate child in God's eyes. Can anyone really be illegal
In Pope Francis' environmental encyclical, Laudato Si: On The Care of Our Common Home he emphasizes that tending and mending Creation invites and even demands a new way of thinking and acting. He calls for a collaborative vision for Planet Earth as our common home. This challenges me to consider my vision of the world every day and who is kin.
Thoughts?
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