Loving the Alien

Tradition and Wisdom
Teaching and Learning:
Loving as God's People

Leviticus 19:33-37

The Message

 ^33-34 "When a foreigner lives with you in your land, don't take advantage of him. Treat the foreigner the same as a native. Love him like one of your own. Remember that you were once foreigners in Egypt. I am God, your God.
 ^35-36 "Don't cheat when measuring length, weight, or quantity. Use honest scales and weights and measures. I am God, your God. I brought you out of Egypt.
 ³⁷ "Keep all my decrees and all my laws. Yes, do them. I am God."

For Reflection
Who is the foreigner in your land?  Those that have little experience in your personal culture could be considered a foreigner.  Remember those high school days.  Anyone who was different was coerced into conformity.  Guess what?  The coercion into conformity didn't stop in high school.  It just got a little more subtle.  Think about it.  In what subtle ways do you express the need for others to conform to your point of view; your method of doing things; your values, attitudes and behavior expectations?


Pray
that you will recognize the impulse to judge others based upon cultural differences.  Pray that you will learn to love those who appear to be different from you.  Pray for those who are having difficulty fitting in.