On Human Dignity
From the Rector
Dear Friends,
Since the beginning of this month, we have received the news of two more people killed by ICE agents of the U.S. Government. Human beings. Lorenzo Salgado Araujo was shot and killed by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers in Houston on July 7. Joan Sebastian Guerrero was shot in his car, and killed, by ICE officers in Biddeford, Maine on July 13, with his 3-year-old daughter in the backseat.
Eternal rest, grant unto Lorenzo, Joan, and all those who have died, and let light perpetual shine upon them. May their souls and all the souls of the departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
Both of these men have been described in ways meant to call the value of their lives and significance of their deaths into question. In response, they’ve also been described to inspire empathy and compassion for them and their families: good people, spouses, fathers, hard-working, connected and contributing to their communities, one as “legally” in the country and working, the other as having nearly legal after more than 30 years in the U.S.
I recognize the urgency to highlight the stories of these (and all) victims of government-sponsored harassment and violence, and I resonate with the need to spur outrage at the confusion, uncertainty, fear and violence being inflicted upon immigrants and so many others in this country at this time.
I also want to say, as a person, priest and pastor seeking to live faithfully in the way of Jesus: not a single adjective used to describe any person can add to or subtract from a shard of value or worth to their already- intrinsic and unequivocal worth and dignity as human beings.
As Christians, we must remember this most essential and unshakeable truth: each and every human life is inherently worthy, infinitely good, and divinely beloved. Full stop. Before a word is breathed about where one is from or what one has done, the word is this: human.
Remember in Genesis, the story tells us that God created human beings in God’s image, and called all creation “good” (Genesis 1)
Remember the praise of the psalm writer, who lifts of the name of God “because I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” (Psalm 139)
Remember our teacher, example and savior Jesus, whose arc of ministry is replete with examples of inviting those in the margins to draw close, lifting up the poor, lowly, and downtrodden to new experiences of dignity and respect in relationship, and rebuking the powers of empire and death seeking to keep folks down. Remember Jesus, who said as you have done to those deemed “least of these” you have done to me (Matthew 25).
In the 2nd century, St. Irenaeus wrote famously that “the glory of God is a human being fully alive.”
Of course, our baptismal promise writes this truth on our hearts: I will, with God’s help, strive for justice and peace among all people and respect the dignity of every human being.
Dear friend, YOU are good and worthy and beloved. Our neighbors (who are ALL people, of all identities and colors and languages and cultures and persuasions and even opinions) are good, worthy, beloved. May we remember this truth and found our faith upon it, whenever we are called to a place of solidarity or celebration or grief or any other place. May this truth inspire and embolden us for witness in the world.
With you,
The Rev. R. Scott Painter, Rector
