Feast of the Holy Innocents, martyrs
Over the past 10 years, I have been blessed to be able to travel with UD pre-medical and pre-dental students to Central America. We go to provide medical care in rural areas of these resource poor countries. On these medical service trips, we have seen firsthand the poverty and some of the safety issues related to the lack of resources. As I read today’s gospel, I was reminded that Jesus was a refugee. Joseph, Mary and Jesus fled to Egypt to prevent Jesus’ death at the hands of Herod’s army. Many countries today, including the US, face concerns regarding the large influx of refugees traveling from their homelands to find safety and the simple necessities of life. How are we called as Disciples of Christ to share compassion and love with these people in need?
In today’s gospel, Joseph hears the angel of the Lord speak to him in a dream telling him to flee quickly to Egypt. Herod realizes that the Magi have not returned to provide information regarding the newborn King of the Jews, and he therefore orders a massacre of all baby boys less than two in the Bethlehem region. Joseph leaves with Mary and Jesus during the night to escape this tragedy. According to many expert sources, the Holy Family would have traveled over 1240 miles leaving Bethlehem, traveling to Egypt until their return to Nazareth. (Here is a fascinating article about the various places that many scholars believe were a part of their journey: https://udayton.edu/imri/mary/f/flight-into-egypt.php.) The Holy Family certainly would have faced many challenges and difficulties on this journey, but this escape was necessary for survival.
When I read about the long journey taken by the Holy Family to avoid Herod’s wrath, I am reminded of the many stories that I have read about those traveling from South and Central America to come to our US borders. The route is very risky, and many of these people are traveling as families with small children. What could instill such fear that would cause these individuals to travel such a long distance with such potential dangers?
My experiences in Central America give me a very small glimpse of what might be the cause of these “flights” to safety. On some of our trips, we traveled in a convoy with pick-up trucks in the front and back having individuals with guns to provide our safe travel. Drug trafficking and violence accompany the poverty in some of these countries. Governments that are corrupt and run by a dictator have also caused significant issues regarding freedom and safety. (Nicaragua no longer allows groups to come and provide care as we had done in the past.) The climate issues (hurricanes, drought etc) have had an enormous impact on farming, which is the sole source of food and survival for many of these people.
When I take a step back to reflect, I wonder what can I (we) do to be Christ to these people? In the experiences that I have had, many of the people I encountered loved their home, their country and their culture and had no desire to go elsewhere. It is only when they are forced by circumstances to find a way to survive that they look for options. The US has tried to focus on improving the stability of the governments in these areas, but that has not been enough. There are Catholic organizations that are working in these regions to help make a difference. This article about Catholic Relief Services describes the ways that they are helping farmers use new ways to deal with the changes in the environment (America Media). Certainly, this is one way we can make a difference by supporting the work of this organization and others like it, as they help these people find a way to remain in the home they love.
I do not have answers on how to address the many issues related with immigration, but I do know that we are called to see all of these people as our brothers and sisters in Christ, We are called to respond with compassion and concern and to seek ways so each person has an opportunity to live in safety with the necessities of life- food, clothing, work, medical care, housing, and clean air/ water. Praying for these goals is a good start, but we all need to seek ways to help make changes in our society/ government to work towards solutions, so all in the family of God can flourish at home and live fully.
Loving God, Jesus experienced the life of a refugee as a child. Through the grace of Your Spirit give us eyes to see and a heart of compassion to respond in ways where we can love and support those refugees/ immigrants in our midst. May we all come to know how we are one in You, and may our lives of mercy give you glory. We pray this in Christ’s name.
AMEN.
-Marylynn Herchline