“Movement beyond borders opens more than simply physical space: it provides new terrain for the soul.”
Cornell, Deirdre. Jesus Was a Migrant
John 9:25 New International Version (NIV)
25 He replied, “Whether he is a sinner or not, I don’t know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!”
I grew up in Juarez Mexico a border town with El Paso Texas. Juarez is a city that lies on the Rio Grande ( El Rio Bravo)river. Juarez together with El Paso is the second largest binational metropolitan area between Mexico and the U.S. having a combined population of over 2.7 million people. During the early 2000s Juarez had a booming economy, but after 2007 after the rise of “Drug War” Juarez became one of the most violent cities in the world.
Growing up I did not see the border as anything special, not unique or not dangerous. I used to live in the in-betweens of two worlds. Hearing English and Spanish on TV radio was our daily bread. While growing up in the border, I did not realize the uniqueness that can give to live in such a place. In some way, I became numb to the reality to see people from different parts of Mexico coming to our city. Some came in search of a better future for their families. Some went with the dream to cross the border, but life kept them there.
I believe I was so embedded in the border culture that to see people leaving their families for the American Dream was no surprise. Conversation about the drug cartels and people involve in that life style was not shocking to any. Everyone did it, everyone moved back and forth, that is the border. I was blind to the reality of the border I was blind due to my own comfort to my own existence. I was so blind that I did not realize that my dad left my family in search of a better future for us. That was normal, everyone did it, everyone moved back and forth.
Surprisingly, Lent help us to remember that we all live in the border. Unfortunately, many times we get cut in our own reality. We become numb to the pain of others to the needs of others. So numb that we don’t realize what we have lost because is normal. Christ walk to the Via Dolorosa helps us stay aware of the in-betweens of our world. Christ heart and the Holy Spirit help can help us to see the reality of the in-betweens.
Consider: What is God calling me to see? How can I take journey to move beyond the border?
Prayer:
Triune God, God of borders, God of new beginnings. We come to you to help distance our self from ouw reality. Help us to see the injustice of this world. Help us to awake to pain and suffering of others. We want to see with your eyes, we want to love with your heart. Help our life to bring liberation to oppress and be voice for the marginalize. Help us to extend our love, compassion and resources for those who had cross the border (any border) as you have loved us. In the name of Jesus the Christ, Amen.