Because Governor DeSantis really doesn’t have an original thought in his head, he copied what Abbott of Texas did and sent 50 Venezuelan migrants he had lured out of Florida shelters to Martha’s Vineyard. He should take a lesson from the way residents of that island treated the incoming migrants: with open arms.
St. Andrews Episcopal Church Assistant Priest Cynthia Hubbard worked with local Edgartown residents to help the men, women, and children get hot meals, warm clothing, and temporary lodging. The Lawyers’ Committee for Human Rights set up Zoom meetings to provide legal assistance for their cases. The community came together including political leaders to help them.
DeSantis may have thought he proved something but what he proved was his own hypocrisy claiming to be a Christian and refusing support for people escaping Maduro and the havoc he has created in Venezuela. One would have thought the Cubans who fled Castro would have been more welcoming. Is this a reason why young people leave the church? Not practicing what it is preaching – at least in Florida.
Prayer for the Day
You have called us to be your witnesses, welcoming all,
But often we have been fearful and silent in the face of injustice;
You have called us to share your freedom,
But we have often kept our blessings for ourselves alone.
Move us beyond our frailty, fear, and weaknesses,
Strengthening us to live with courage and determination,
In the name of the Transformer of our lives, `
Even Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen
Thoughts for the Day
Exploiting vulnerable people for political stunts is repulsive and cruel. Massachusetts is fully capable of handling asylum seekers, and I’ll keep working with local, state, and federal partners to ensure we have the necessary resources to care for people with dignity.
- Elizabeth Warren, U.S. Senator, Massachusetts
It is a scandal that there is not a single Jew who is a beggar, and that the godless Galileans care not only for their own poor but for ours as well; while those who belong to us look in vain for the help that we should render them.
– Julian the Apostate – Roman Emperor (313-363)
When did we see you hungry and fed you or thirsty and gave you something to drink, or a stranger and welcomed you?
– Matthew 25:38