Throughout the novel, religion
plays an important role. Migrants often bring Bibles with them on the journey
and rely on their faith to have hope. Many Christian villagers and churches
along the way provide nourishment, clothes, and safe places to stay for the
migrants. Without the help of these churches and kind people, many migrants
would not have survived the journey or would have been sent back to their home
countries. In particular, one priest named Padre Leo has a heart for helping
migrants. He illegally crosses the Mexican border to buy clothing, goes to the
grocery three times a week to purchase food for the migrants, and will stop at
nothing to help the migrants and fulfill their needs. He shows this extreme
kindness and selflessness because he believes in Jesus and wants to follow his
example. He says, “Jesus wasn’t killed for doing miracles. It was because he
defended the poor and opposed the rulers and injustice committed by the
powerful” (Nazario 173). It is faith that drives Padre Leo, along with other community
members like him to show generosity by giving up their own food and clothing to
help migrants. Faith and religion play a crucial role in the journeys of
migrants like Enrique by giving people a reason to give and to show the
migrants kindness.
I believe that acts of kindness
like those shown in Enrique’s journey are important to help others, no matter the
sacrifice to ourselves or how small the deed may seem. I believe that we need
more Padre Leos in this world: people who give to help others around them, whether
they are compelled by faith or just a desire to “do good.” Have you ever done a
small (or big) act of kindness for anyone like Padre Leo in Enrique’s Journey?
Has anyone ever shown you generosity in a way you didn’t expect?
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