The Battle For Compassion In Koreatown | Who Will Stand With The Forgotten?
From Gratitude To Grace | Reflections On Our Calling In A New Land
The scent of sizzling bulgogi and the warm, familiar sound of the Korean language filled the air. It was my first week in this place they called Koreatown, a world away from the bustling streets of Seoul I had left behind. My heart was a tangled knot of excitement and profound loneliness. I was surrounded by my people, yet I felt utterly lost. Then, an elderly shop owner, seeing the confusion on my face, not only gave me directions but walked three blocks out of his way to ensure I found my destination. He refused any thanks, simply smiling and saying, “We help each other here. That’s how we survive.”
That small, profound act of kindness wasn’t just about directions. It was a lifeline. It was the first thread in a tapestry of community that was woven for us, by us, in a land that was not originally our own. We came with little, carrying only our hopes and a fierce determination to build a better life. And we were met with a surprising and gracious gift: the kindness and hospitality of the native people of this continent, who allowed us space, opportunity, and the incredible privilege to put down roots and build a home that echoes the sights and sounds of our motherland.
This history of welcome makes my heart ache when I see tension flare between our community and those who are now on the margins—our neighbors experiencing homelessness. The very compassion that was once extended to us, allowing us to build our towns and thrive, is a gift we are now called to pay forward. Instead of looking down on the poor and destitute with disdain and contempt, we are invited to remember the love shown to us and to choose a different path: the path of grace.
Remembering Our Story: A Foundation of Humility
It is so easy to forget where we came from. When we achieve success, when we build beautiful buildings and thriving businesses, we can start to believe we did it entirely on our own. But faith reminds us that every good and perfect gift comes from above (James 1:17). Our community’s prosperity is a testament to hard work, yes, but it is also a testament to God’s provision through the hands of others.
“Do not oppress a foreigner; you yourselves know how it feels to be foreigners, because you were foreigners in Egypt.” - Exodus 23:9
While this verse speaks of a different context, its core principle echoes through time. We, too, know what it is like to be strangers. We know the vulnerability of being in a new land, dependent on the goodwill of others. Remembering our own story isn’t about guilt; it’s about grounding ourselves in humility. It is the spiritual antidote to pride and contempt. When we remember the help we received, it becomes harder to withhold help from others.
Seeing with the Eyes of Christ: Beyond the Surface
It is natural to feel fear or discomfort when faced with situations we don’t understand. Encampments, poverty, and mental health crises are complex and can be unsettling. Our first instinct might be to remove the problem, to reclaim what we see as "our" space for "our" community. But as followers of Christ, we are called to a second instinct—to look deeper, beyond the surface, and see the image of God in every person.
“The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” - 1 Samuel 16:7b
God’s gaze pierces through the layers of hardship, addiction, and bad luck to see the human soul within. He sees a person He loves. He sees a story, a pain, a history. Our calling is to ask for His vision—to see not a “homeless problem,” but a person who is homeless. A person who may be a veteran, a former foster youth, someone who lost their job, or someone battling an illness they cannot afford to treat. They are not an invading force; they are our neighbors, struggling to survive.
The Gospel of Radical Hospitality
The life of Jesus is a continuous lesson in radical hospitality. He was constantly criticized for the company He kept—tax collectors, sinners, the sick, and the marginalized. He never saw them as beneath Him or as a nuisance to be managed. He saw them as beloved.
“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ ... ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’” - Matthew 25:34-36, 40
This is perhaps the most challenging and clarifying passage for the faithful. Jesus inextricably links our service to “the least of these” with our service to Him. When we offer a bottle of water, a warm meal, or even a moment of dignified human connection to someone in need, we are serving Christ Himself. Conversely, when we turn away, when we lobby only for their removal without offering compassionate solutions, we must ask ourselves a difficult question: who are we truly turning away?
A Call to Stewardship, Not Ownership
We take great pride in Koreatown. We have poured our sweat, our tears, and our resources into making it a vibrant place. But we must hold our success with open hands. The land we built on does not ultimately belong to us; it belongs to God.
“The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.” - Psalm 24:1
We are stewards, not owners. God has entrusted this community to our care, and that care must extend to everyone within its borders. This is not a call to ignore the very real complexities of public safety and sanitation. It is a call to address these issues from a foundation of compassion and creative problem-solving, not contempt and exclusion. We can desire a clean and safe neighborhood and advocate for humane, effective solutions for our most vulnerable residents. We can build a community that is not just for us, but is a reflection of God’s kingdom—a place of justice, mercy, and welcome.
Choosing the Better Way: A Path of Blessing
The way of contempt is a dead end. It builds walls around our hearts and divides the community God has given us. The way of love, though far more difficult, is the path of life and blessing. It is the way we were first greeted, and it is the way of Christ.
“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.” - 1 Peter 4:8-9
Imagine a Koreatown known not only for its amazing food and culture but also for its radical Christ-like love. Imagine being a community that leads the way in creating solutions—supporting shelters, job training programs, and mental health services in partnership with others. Imagine being known as a place of second chances and open arms. This is our highest calling.
Joining Hands in Shared Mission
This is not a burden to carry alone. It is a shared mission for our entire community. If this reflection has resonated with you, if you feel that gentle nudge of the Spirit, I want to warmly invite you to join in.
You don’t need to have all the answers. Start with a simple, honest prayer. Pray for wisdom for our community leaders. Pray for compassion to replace fear. Pray for the well-being and dignity of our neighbors without homes.
· Share this message with others in our community. Have gentle, grace-filled conversations about what it means to be faithful stewards of our neighborhood.
· Encourage the organizations and churches that are already on the front lines, doing the good work of serving the vulnerable. Send them a note of thanks. Let them know they are seen and supported.
· Consider giving your time or resources to these trusted organizations. They need level-headed volunteers and financial support to create real, lasting change.
This is our moment to choose. Will we build walls, or will we build a longer table? Will we be known for what we excluded, or for who we embraced? Let us choose the way of gratitude. Let us choose the way of grace. Let us choose love.
If you feel called to learn more or explore how you can help, please reach out. We can connect you with local ministries and organizations that are faithfully serving in this area. Together, we can be a light.
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