There are no shocking images of the deaths of young migrants from Central America trying to reach the United States as in 2015 with the image of Alan Kurdi, the young boy lying on the Turkish beach. The deaths of the eight-year old girl this past week, a four-year old child in March, and a 17-year old are indications not of parental neglect but of the desperation of people fleeing the utter poverty and gang situations in their countries.
We North Americans have always treated the Mexico and Central America like weeds in our garden, something to be pulled out and discarded. We only think of their people as useful when they can mow our grass or work jobs in factories that no American would even consider taking.
For the most part, in spite of our claims, we’ve tolerated the corruption of their leaders because it’s served our business interests. Low wages in maquilas, the factories that make our cheap clothing and the expropriation of farm land and jungle for palm oil plantations are just two reasons people are hungry in Honduras. This is our backyard; we should garden it with care and love. God demands nothing less.
Prayer for the Day
Blinded by our own desire for cheap goods made by the poor,
We have been complicit in the sin of their poverty and helplessness;
Evading our culpability for the actions done in our name,
We have shrugged thinking this is the cost of doing business.
Open our eyes to the world around us, O God,
And empower us so we act or those who need justice.
In the name of the One who calls us to work for justice,
Even Christ Jesus our Lord, Amen.
Thoughts for the Day
Maquiladora workers assemble products that we buy in the U.S. From car seats to printer ink, maquiladora workers are essential to the production of these everyday items, yet they receive poor wages. The maquilas receive huge profits but the wages do not correspond to the obreras prosperity
- Marlene Flores/Miguel Juarez, Mexican journalists
Today, with great strength, the struggle is against mining exploitation. Transnationals came, from Europe, from Canada, and the United States, threatening to end life, the territories, the water, and health.
- Bertha Caceres, Honduran organizer, assassinated March 3, 2016
The Lord works vindication and justice for all who are oppressed.
Psalm 103:6