Fleeing for their Lives

When the angel appeared to Joseph in a dream with a message to flee, he took Mary and the baby Jesus and departed in haste for Egypt, just before King Herod's soldiers fulfilled his instructions to kill all the male children under two years old around the town of Bethlehem. Joseph and Mary fled with the baby Jesus into Egypt. They were among the many recorded in the Bible to seek refuge in an unknown land.

Today, there are millions of refugees seeking safety in foreign lands. Among them are the immigrants at the U.S. border, who have been fleeing violence, poverty, and death threats in Mexico and Central America. Many have been waiting for months, even years, to be admitted into the United States. There are also refugees from Afghanistan, who were aided by the U.S. during the 20 years we were involved in the war against the Taliban. Some refugees are from Argentina, where a corrupt government is causing havoc. Others are from Haiti, where the government has collapsed and people are starving.

It is hard to read about these refugees and to know their lives are in limbo at our borders. Even if they have a relative in our country, it is not easy to make connections and find resources for them. Our postulant is volunteering at the border for two weeks this month, and will see first-hand the plight of those seeking asylum. She is taking clothes, shoes, socks and shoestrings, in addition to monetary donations, to help these migrants who have only what they can carry.

It is hard for us, who live comfortably, to identify with these families who have nothing, and whose lives are in such danger. If we could see these parents and children as if they were the Holy Family, we might reach out more readily. Actually, they are all "holy families," fleeing the modern Herods of the world. May they be safe and find refuge.