f I’m being honest, watching the news over the past few weeks has been unsettling. As a temporary resident of Earth, I recognize that I can’t keep my head in the sand regarding updates on wars, politics, and diseases. But I more so recognize that as a Christian, I have a duty to be informed about the justice, or lack thereof, that plagues our neighboring communities.

As a black man in America, I have a unique perspective on justice. While I’d like to believe that it is fair and blind, it was very clear to me from a young age that justice has astigmatism. I’ve known of people who have been unfairly treated, handled, or even arrested and jailed by a system that was never built to accommodate those who look like me. In fact, I’ve unfortunately had to teach my children that the hammer of justice may not give them the benefit of the doubt or a second chance, even when they’ve done nothing wrong. And there was always a part of me that knew that a time would come when problems I faced as an African-American would slowly become everyone’s problems.

Recently, I have become increasingly more disturbed at the injustices that have impacted our black and brown brothers and sisters at the hands of rogue ICE agents. As if answering a nefarious call, these agents have ripped people out of school car lines, classrooms, and even appointments to maintain their residency or further the path to citizenship without due process. Because of these aggressive tactics, other innocent American citizens have been harmed, detained, or even killed.

But where I would expect other Christians, church-goers, and pastors to rally against harsh treatment, I’ve been grieved by the realization that the church community ignores, is apathetic, or even, in worse cases, champions the injustice. Many have abandoned the Bible’s clear directive regarding immigrants.

Deuteronomy 27:19 tells us, “Cursed is anyone who withholds justice from the foreigner, the fatherless or the widow.” And I want us to know that “withholding” justice can mean ignoring what’s going on around us or being complacent about the reports we read every day.

We cannot take on the idea that Jesus is coming soon, so that we don’t have to do anything. While awaiting his return, it is our Christian duty to stand up for the weak, love and clothe the foreigner, and show hospitality to the stranger.