Suffer The Children

​"But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven." 
~ Matthew 19:14

There comes a time when the actions of government become so odious as to bring about a general rebuke by the nation.   That time is now.  A majority of Americans and leaders from many nations have been horrified by what is going on here in the US.   

This message is a call to action for Quakers not only in Old Chatham Monthly Meeting and New York Yearly Meeting, but a call for people of faith worldwide to examine their conscience and speak out loudly and resolutely about the suffering of children and families at the US Border. 

In the book of Mathew, it is written: "Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me."  These children held in cages and taken from their mothers and fathers are not some faceless "others."  THEY ARE US.  

Our theology, if we even have one clearly articulated, can be embodied in one sentence: I recognize the light of God in you. As a corporate body of believers, we must roundly condemn what can only be characterized as the banality of evil and draw a stark line between what is acceptable and unacceptable in terms of human rights. 

If this blog seems a departure from previous writings that were more spiritual in nature then the reader is paying attention.  Faith devoid of works is dead.  We must act on this.  Our faith demands it of us. 

Queries regarding child separation by ICE (Immigration & Customs Enforcement) 

• When you look into your heart, how does this policy make you feel? 
• What impact would losing a child or loved one have on you? 
• What actions could you take regarding this policy? 
• What actions will you take to ameliorate the suffering of children?

NOTE: as of the writing of this blog the policy of separating families has allegedly been reversed, but there are no solid plans in place to return children to their mothers and fathers and the child detention centers (euphemism for jails -- yes we are jailing children) have not been disbanded. 

Joseph Olejak

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