“Sister cities” is the phrase often used to describe El Paso and Ciudad Juárez. On the surface, the term refers to two cities in different countries that are formally connected through social, cultural, economic and historical ties. Yet, the connection between El Paso and Juárez goes much deeper.
They are sisters, intertwined in community and culture. Aunts, uncles, abuelas and abuelos live on both sides of the border. Families cross between cities. Communities depend on one another. El Paso and Juárez, united, marked by a 40-foot statue of Cristo Rey overlooking the region, signifying the unity and love God has for all people.
For those of us who live here, the border is not simply a political issue, or a place of crisis often portrayed on television. The border is home. It is a sacred place of encounter where cultures meet, families remain connected across nations, and faith communities continue the daily work of mercy and accompaniment.
At the border, ministry is embodied…