The Choice

“You love your family, and then you love your neighbor, and then you love your community, and then you love your fellow citizens in your own country. And then after that, you can focus and prioritize the rest of the world.” (J. D. Vance)

“When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or sisters, your relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back, and so you will be repaid. But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.” (Jesus of Nazareth)

In a recent discussion on immigration, Vice-President J.D. Vance invoked the phrase ordo amoris—”the order of love”—to justify prioritizing American citizens over immigrants. This idea, which he presents as a Christian principle, suggests that our moral obligations are structured in concentric circles, with love for family and country before concern for outsiders. While this might sound reasonable, it represents a profoundly distorted version of Christ’s teaching.

A distinction like this requires a choice from those who claim Christ. Jesus did not teach Empire (America) first, nor did he promote Christian nationalism. Instead, he taught about a kingdom of love and inclusivity that welcomed the stranger, practiced hospitality to the immigrant, broke bread with the marginalized, fed the hungry, and accepted the outsider.

Immigration is a complex issue. Fear and politics drive the conversation about this issue. Perhaps the faith community should remember what Jesus taught about love (love your neighbor and enemy).

Loving our families, communities, and nation is essential. However, the ethic of love taught by Jesus does not stop there. Jesus’s love does not require a choice between our families and friends. His love never demands that we place boundaries or borders that limit love. 

I have friends in New Market, Alabama, and I have friends in Chuluc, Guatemala. I do not choose to love one group of friends less or more based on their geography. I love them both.

 We face a choice. You certainly are free to choose a political agenda over the kingdom ethics of Jesus, but don’t confuse the two, and don’t think they are the same. They are not.