The world is in a hot mess. Whether you’re in the news all the time or just drop in on the evening news or look at what pops up in your feed, you know there are wars, famine, famine created by wars, and disease in both hemispheres. About ten years ago Europe had its struggles with boats full of refugees from areas of the Middle East and Africa. In the same time the US has been experiencing a refugee crisis on the southern border with Mexico. Neither President Trump or Biden has been able to craft a workable policy in light of the failure of Congress to write new legislation.

While at the Vatican recently I saw this statue. It was commissioned by the Pope in 2015. It is called “Angels Unawares”. Canadian artist Timothy Schmalz has created a piece of sculpture that reminds us that immigration isn’t an isolated problem, and it isn’t an it. Refugees and immigrants are people.

As you look at the photos here I encourage you to reflect on your heritage. We all came from somewhere else at some point in time.

Most of all, Schmalz has captured the humanity of a packed boat of desperate refugees and immigrants looking for hope in a new place.

You can read more about the project at https://angelsunawares.org/.