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Introduction

In this special blog post, I will write about my reflections about the ongoing disaster with refugees in the Mediterranean sea, once called “our sea” by the ancient Romans.

Do we as Christians have an extra responsibility? Of course, we do! Doesn’t Jesus Christ himself commands us to love our neighbour as ourselves (Matthew 22:39, Mark 12:31 and Luke 10:27 among others) and isn’t there a commandment already in the Old Testament that says that we should treat the immigrant as one of us (Leviticus 19:34)?

The image that made me write this special post is, of course, the image of the 3-year old Syrian boy Alan Kurdi, drowned in the Mediterranean sea, washed up on a Turkish shore.

When I write this, European leaders are talking about how the “volumes” of the refugees from Syria and other places should be handled, how many percent each European country should allow to enter their country and become new citizens, as it’s just numbers and not people.

Who Are Your Neighbours?

Many countries, especially in the Eastern parts of Europe (mostly those that belonged to the Warsaw-pact during the cold war in late 20th Century Europe) demands only refugees that are Christians.

This is by all means a good idea since Christians are a minority being persecuted in some countries in the Middle East but it is not sufficient, the numbers won’t add up.

Europe with its history must help countries in the south of the continent to manage the refugees fleeing from persecution and war.

They are Christians, other Muslims, other minorities just fleeing for their life and for the sake of their families.

I know that many European countries have received and given refugees a safe haven while other countries have not received as many as they could.

When I come to think of the picture of the drowned little boy and read the interview with his devastated father, my heart was moved.

The first thought that came to my mind were the question that Cain answer God when He asks for his brother Abel: “Am I my brother’s keeper?” (Genesis 4:9).

I am also thinking about the parable with the good samaritan (Luke 10:25-37), a people despised by the Jews in the time of Jesus.

So let me ask you: Who are the samaritans of our time? Who are you thinking of? No matter who it might be in the place where you live, we must help and work together.

Europe must open up its borders and not build new walls. Walls separate people, bridges unite! This is a truth that you can ask anybody about and they will tell you that it’s true.

When Disaster Strikes Our Christian Faith Is Put To The Test

Many people have drowned in the Mediterranean sea before, I am unfortunately aware of that and then nothing happened. Sometimes, a picture of a dead child will make everything changing.

I am aware of the fact that some countries will take in more refugees now but more countries need to step up and become the keeper of their brothers and sisters.

It is when disasters like this, one extraordinary disaster within the greater disaster happens that our Christian faith is put to the test. For what does it matter if we are saying that we love each and everyone but fail to show love and compassion for our fellow man when they are in need?

The sad fact is also that refugees are being taken advantage on by scrupulous human smugglers that charge them with 10,000s of whatever currency they prefer at the moment, to smuggle them to European shores in overfilled boats that are not seaworthy, just because the refugees have no other option when they want to flee from war and persecution.

Some will survive the dangerous trip while others will perish. They are doing this because they are forced to do it in order to survive, not because they want to travel to your country and take advantage of your social welfare system.

They will find themselves being strangers in new countries, whose languages they can’t yet speak. They are your new neighbours, Europe! They are the once you need to open your doors to and not close them, they are your new citizens and they are your responsibility.

You should not just give them refuge, you should help becoming an integral part of your nation, no matter where they originated from, they are your responsible now.

Don’t build fortresses and fences, open your heart and make each new refugee a member in your local community. Don’t welcome him or her as a stranger, welcome them as a friend or as your brother and sister. Then, and only then you are doing what Christ has commanded us to do: Love your neighbour as yourself.

How will you do it and who will you keep as your brother?

A Prayer For The Refugees

A Prayer For All Europeans

Next blog post will be published tomorrow. (September 5th, 2015)

To God be the glory,
Rickard