Faces on Faith: Strangers
I grew up during the “stranger danger” era of child safety. We were taught to fear the stranger, to be suspicious and move away from anyone we did not know. Thankfully, people realized that this was not the best way to teach safety, since the overwhelming majority of strangers are not a threat.
Sacred scripture has a lot to say about the stranger. One of my favorite passages is from Hebrews 13: “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.” Jesus himself said “I was a stranger and you welcomed me.” (Mt. 25). Job 31: “But no stranger had to spend the night in the street, for my door was always open to the traveler.” We must not forget that Jesus, Mary and Joseph were refugees in Egypt after Jesus’ birth as they fled political violence. Strangers in a foreign land.
Br. Luke Ditewig (SSJE) says it well: “Experiencing one more stranger as friend expands our vision of humanity and of God.”
If you watch the news, it’s easy to see the world as a dangerous place. Politicians target the undocumented for political gain using fear. We can become accustomed to seeing “the stranger” as a threat, as “the other.” But the overwhelming majority of strangers are not a threat. Most are seeking the things that you and I seek: belonging, friendship and love.
One of the baptismal promises in our prayer book asks: “Will you seek and serve Christ in all persons loving your neighbor as yourself?” (emphasis mine) I am always struck by the notion that Christ lives in all of us, all the people I encounter, not just people like me but all people. I try to hold onto this truth when I encounter a stranger, and I hope you will too.
The Rev. William “Bill” Van Oss is the rector at Saint Michael & All Angels Episcopal Church.