The late Cliff Fletcher at Belleville Farmers Market
When an alien resides with you in your land, you shall not oppress the alien. The alien who resides with you shall be to you as the native-born among you; you shall love the alien as yourself, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God.
Leviticus 19;33-34 NRSVue
This morning we picked up bins of baked goods from the endlessly generous Cobbs Bakery here in Belleville and transported them to the kitchen of Bridge St. United Church where they will be used in the meal ministries.
Then we slipped around the corner to the Farmers Market where we made some vegetable purchases from one of our favourite vendors. The late owner, Cliff, was also very generous to the meal programs so we have tried to return the favour, even though he's been gone for a while now. It had always been Cliff, along with his right-hand woman, and a somewhat taciturn guy who was endlessly in motion. The two of them are still running a thriving business at the market and in Prince Edward County.
It was 2C when we arrived, one of our first frosty fall mornings, and this fellow was blowing on his hands (we know his name but I am respecting his privacy.) He is from the Caribbean island of St. Lucia and he isn't a fan of the cold. Yet he was all smiles today and talked with us excitedly, more in a few minutes than he's said in the past 13 years.
This week he received his Canadian citizenship after a lengthy process. Two weeks ago he nervously attended his interview and sailed through with flying colours. The final documentation came a few days ago, somewhat to his surprise and delight. His happiness was infectious and we were enthusiastic in our congratulations.
I wrote not long ago about my concern that the anti-immigrant poison south of the border is seeping into Canada after generations of welcome to newcomers from around the world as part of our national mosaic. I commented on the kindness of Canadians to Syrian refugees, including in this community, and wondered if they would receive the same reception today. The same Bridge St UC congregation half a block away was a key part of the coalition of faith groups that sponsored 23 members of an extended Syrian family. Since then the Canadian government has drastically reduced the number of refugees and other immigrants allowed in.
We agreed afterward that our encounter today made our day despite the chill and we hope we contributed to a warm welcome. This wasn't going to be today's blog subject but I had to share. I'd like to think Jesus was there this morning, although he too may have been blowing on his hands and wearing a toque.
Then the king will say to those at his right hand, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world, 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.’ Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?’ And the king will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did it to me.’
Matthew 25: 34-40 NRSVue
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