People seem to resist the idea that the Holy Family were 'displaced persons' - a term used for refugees and migrants coming into the United States after WWII. Many at the time used the pejorative term "DPs" for them. Their detractors claimed they were coming into the US to live and work tax free, while collecting welfare benefits and provided housing services. Things haven't changed much, immigrants and refugees are pretty much disparaged in the same way these days.
I just noticed on Facebook a post concerning a tweet from Ann Coulter claiming the Holy Family were not refugees. I didn't bother to read much more, since I encounter that claim frequently online. The fact is, the Holy Family did flee persecution, just like so many refugees do today. The Holy Family fled the murderous Herod and took refuge in Egypt. Refugees seek refuge in a safe place, often fleeing their homeland. They migrate - move from one place to another - and find refuge in a place of exile. Jesus was a indeed a refugee exiled in Egypt. Thus the prophecy was fulfilled: "Out of Egypt I called my son."
We are all pilgrims and strangers, aliens and sojourners, refugees and migrants in flight, looking for a homeland. How can we deny that the Son of God left us an example of this? As St. Paul points out: For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the one that is to come.
Here, the difference is that the Holy Family went to Bethlehem, as mandated by the state, didn't find a place to stay because everyone was there for the census, then fled to another part of the Roman Empire, when the angel told them to go.
ReplyDeleteThat's different than the DPs, who entered the country at a time there was no welfare, struggled, got jobs, supported themselves and remembered they were grudgingly admitted.
Now there are many illegal immigrants who enter countries without permission, commit identity fraud or work for cash, fraudulently obtain benefits, make demands for support, refuse to work, and blame the us for tjeir bad choices.
Mele Kalikimaka Nan!
ReplyDeleteTerry, it ain't Christmas til it's Russian Christmas!
ReplyDeleteWhat?
So true! I love Russian Christmas.
DeleteI see both sides of this argument. It is certainly challenging to apply Christian teaching to this unsettling issue. Pope Francis encourages us to be open and welcoming to displaced persons. That is good enough for me.
ReplyDeleteWell said, Mr. Hamilton. Every person has his own story. And if there is nothing to hide, there should be no problem presenting each case to Immigration, and no problem with we Catholics welcoming those in need of a home and support.
DeleteJust as the Holy Family followed the law, modern migrants should.
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