A common homily during Lent involves the transformation of the old covenant documented in the old testament and the growing transformation that comes from the Passion of Christ and his resurrection. The renewal of spirit during the season of Lent and its transformative embodiment teach us to look elsewhere in ways we can bring forth Christ’s singular mission. This year has been one highlighted by pilgrimage, and I am hearing these words today in Yucatan, Mexico.

The renewal of spirit isn’t just about internal transformation; it’s about the outward embodiment of Christ’s love and mission in the world – bringing the word of God elsewhere and to others. The notion of looking elsewhere brings me to think about people in our country, state and neighborhoods. Because nearly everyone we meet is from elsewhere, a place different then from here. Someone “different” from us gives us a chance to practice the mission of Christ by showing kindness, giving alms and allowing the spirit of Christ to come forth and bridge new friends or acquaintances with a promise of generosity, humility and understanding. I do not mean evangelize.

Being ‘elsewhere’ can be a metaphor for the internal, emotional, and psychological spaces that people occupy, often without us even realizing it. As mentioned, we can be elsewhere in our minds when we’re physically present, but emotionally or mentally disconnected. In a profession like law enforcement, where people are often under intense stress and may be carrying burdens no one sees, they are “elsewhere” in ways that are invisible to others but deeply felt by them. As a society we need to improve upon meeting the basic needs of each of us, including having trust that we are safe.

Working with law enforcement, especially when the individuals you’re supporting are often operating in high-stress, emotionally taxing environments, takes a tremendous amount of empathy and patience. The isolation they experience is often overlooked by the wider community, but it’s so deep, especially when combined with the intensity and darkness of the situations they regularly face. Their emotional lives can become overshadowed by their daily encounters with trauma, violence, and human suffering, which understandably breeds anger, cynicism, and sometimes a sense of disconnect from the world outside their profession including close family members.

In any profession, there are moments when the weight of the work becomes too heavy to carry, or when a disconnect grows between the demands of the role and the emotional state of the person inhabiting it. Recognizing this misalignment is often the first step toward returning to a place of presence—whether for those we serve or for ourselves.

We must remain mindful of how insidious the process can be: the gradual shift from being fully here to being psychologically elsewhere. It rarely announces itself. Instead, it unfolds quietly, through small acts of disengagement and subtle emotional withdrawal that can lead to loneliness and a host of maladaptive behavior.

At the same time, bias and stigma toward those who are unlike us remain both personal and clinical challenges. They hover like specters, distorting perception and risking misjudgment. When not examined, they can render us either overly reactive or emotionally transparent—present in form but not in understanding—particularly when encountering those who live on the margins.

The feeling of being “elsewhere” can also manifest when we encounter others who are different from us—whether it’s in language, race, religion, gender, or life experience. We can feel that gap of separation, like we’re operating in two different worlds. And yet, Christ’s mission was always about bridging those gaps, meeting people where they were, and not waiting for them to come to him. What is more, if persons who are not like us are vilified or worse, demonized and attacked then the fundamental core of Christ’s call for transformation during the sacred period of Lent has missed its mark.