A day for fun
May 5, 2010 (Wednesday)
Today is Cinco de Mayo. It is a not much of a holiday in Mexico, since it celebrates an 1862 victory involving only one state. It is not Mexican Independence Day, which is celebrated as Dieciséis de Septiembre (September 16). Actually, Cinco de Mayo is more of a Mexican-American day, like St. Patrick’s Day is for Irish Americans. It has been celebrated here (especially in California) in the United States for almost 150 years. It is a day of fun, food, music and dancing.
The present huge controversy over illegal immigration has become so politically strong that civil conversation about it is now almost impossible. There is a tendency on the part of some to lump legal immigrants with illegals in their thinking. There is a difference.
For many years we have recognized in Texas our close ties with the Hispanic people who call this state their home. For a long, long time, English-speaking and Spanish-speaking Christians have worked together in extending the gospel to people of all ethnic backgrounds.
Throughout this state, friendships have been forged and family ties involving different ethnic backgrounds have become common.
As Christians it is our privilege to follow the example of our Savior in reaching out to all people. I realize that the political and immigration issues are real and present and cannot be ignored, but they must not turn our hearts away from our brothers and sisters in Christ who love the Lord with all their hearts and serve Him faithfully. Let us be sure that our conversations with others reflect our personal relationship with Christ as well as our concern for our nation.
In our country, we are completely polarized in our thinking today. Half of us think one way and the other half of us us think another way. Aside from the immigration issues, there are hundreds of other issues that divide us and we find our tempers flaring at times. Let us remember and put into practice that old motto from the past: “I may not agree with what you say, but I will fight to the death for your right to say it!” That’s the America for which millions have died.