I Was A Stranger And You Received Me

Over 500 Yemeni refugees entered Jejudo Island visa-free on flights from South Asia which have produced an outcry and debate throughout Korea. An attempt to increase the number of tourists to the island has brought an influx of refugees from the battlegrounds of Yemen. People have heard about what happened in Europe and are concerned about their safety. An article in the Catholic Peace Weekly gives the readers an understanding of the situation faced by the refugees and the citizens of Jejudo.
 
Yemen in the southwestern part of the Arabian Peninsula was in ancient times a land of prosperity. It is presumed to be the capital of the kingdom of Sheba in Old Testament Times. The queen of Sheba visited Jerusalem bringing precious gifts to wise king Solomen.
 
The scenery of Yemen is beautiful. It has primeval forests, desert, oasis, and sea. Today, however, it is a land of hunger and war. Neighboring countries involved in a civil war between different political and religious sects. Many have died and thousands have left. They found no welcoming in the Middle East,  Africa or in Southeast Asia and came to Jejudo Island.
 
The world is suffering from refugees and the illegal immigration problem. The view towards refugees is getting tougher. The United States continues talking about building walls on the border with Mexico. In Europe, the extreme right-wing parties rejecting refugees have come to power with great support.  Over a half a million in Korea have signed a petition against their government's friendly migration policies and seeking to revoke the Yemen refugee applications.
 
Korea was the first Asian country to implement the refugee law, however, the actual recognition rate is low. Only about 4% of the applicants were recognized as refugees and those including humanitarian permits are about 10%.
 
Pope Francis calls for concern and consideration for refugees. His first visit as pope was to a refugee camp in Lampedusa, Italy. He wants us to reflect on our indifference to those hurting. The Pope called for a "reawakening of consciences" to counter the "indifference" shown to migrants. "We have lost a sense of brotherly responsibility," he said, and "have forgotten how to cry" for migrants lost at sea.
 
The pope met with Rohingya refugees from Myanmar living in Bangladesh and asked God to forgive those who have been persecuting them. The writer mentions the futurist Jacques Attali who calls the 21st century the 'New Nomadic Age'. The numbers that are traveling around the world are staggering. Korea alone has over 2 million they are the weak of society.
 
The necessary ethic in this nomadic age is understanding, tolerance, mercy and love. We need to accept the refugees as neighbors. In Korean society, we have migrant workers, refugees from North Korea, foreigners who have married Koreans,  and multicultural families. We need to have a warmer gaze on these members of our society. We have to share our concern for them.
 
Christians have the example of Jesus who right after birth was a refugee. In his parable before the Last Supper, he said to the church: "I was a stranger and you received me in your homes"  (Matt. 25:35).