Protecting the Children

Flight into Egypt

The Holy Family’s flight into Egypt shortly after Jesus’ birth made me think about the refugee families today fleeing their homelands. Herod’s decree to kill all boy infants in and around Bethlehem must have been terrifying for Mary and Joseph, forced to flee in the dark of night to protect their child. We do not know if they encountered barriers, but apparently they found safety in Egypt.

The refugee families today fleeing violence and drug cartels in countries like El Salvador, Guatemala, and Mexico, are also fearful. When border patrol separates parents from their children, the parents do not know if they will ever see them again. At a time when children need warm relationships, special care, and nutritious food, they are being treated inhumanely. What will happen to their newly forming brains and bodies? They may experience trauma that can affect or follow them for years to come.

Some people can easily say these families are here illegally and should have stayed where they were. It may be hard for many of us, who are fortunate enough to be born in a developed country with all our protections and opportunities, to understand the intimidation and threats these families face in their homelands.

The Leadership Conference of Women Religious recently issued a statement calling this a pro-life issue. “Family separation and detention and the resulting trauma go against the very fabric of respect for human life,” they stated. Let us pray for these children and their loved ones, and for those making U.S. policies. 
     

We need to heed the words of Pope Francis, “All children … have the right to be children.” And the words of Jesus, “Let the children come to me, and do not prevent them; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” (Matthew 19:14)