This post was originally posted in the January 8th, 2020 edition of the E-Crier.
We are still coming to terms with the Storming of Capitol Hill that has claimed 5 lives, including a Capitol Hill Police officer, and injured many. While the FBI is investigating the events, the attack on the Capitol Building has lasting psychological effects on public servants, and most of us. This follows the death of over 4,000 Americans due to COVID 19 yesterday alone, and over 20 million COVID infections, and the numbers are growing daily. The pictures of riots, and broken doors, windows and destruction of furniture are terrifying and hard to watch. Please continue praying for our nation.
Just as our leaders were forced to flee their Chambers to safety, the masses flee their nations daily due to violence. Rev. Norm Faramelli spoke about in his sermon; “The Holy Family and Refugees.” I invite you to read it and pray for all Refugees. Below is his reflection.
The Holy Family and Refugees
Happy New Year Everyone– We are in the midst of the 12 days of Christmas –from Christmas to Epiphany (a feast which is a big deal in the Eastern Churches). The date for Christmas was selected to coincide with secular festivities. So the Christmas season has always been a blend of the religious and the secular.
In today’s gospel, we see the flight of the Holy Family to Egypt.– First century Israel lived under Roman occupation. King Herod, who served at the pleasure of the Romans, became increasingly fearful of losing his power as he advanced in years. So when he heard that a king (Jesus) had been born, Herod set out to destroy him. Joseph was warned in a dream that Herod was about to kill the baby, so he took Mary and Jesus and fled to Egypt. After Herod died, Joseph was again told in a dream that it was OK for them to return. They did not, however, return to Bethlehem, but went to Nazareth. Note that in Matthew, the most Jewish of the gospel accounts, this all happens in accordance with the Hebrew Scriptures.
There are two important points to remember here: (1) the members of the Holy family were refugees in
Egypt. The fled Israel to escape persecution. (2) As religious Jews, Joseph and Mary knew that under Jewish law, the law of the stranger (Ex. 20 and Dt. 5) the stranger (or refugee) was protected from harm. The law urged that no harm should befall the stranger, not just for one to avoid punishment, but to show empathy, because Israel was once a stranger in Egypt.
— In the lesson from Jeremiah, we hear Jeremiah tell of the healing of the traumatic effects of exile and deportation to Assyria two centuries after it occurred. Yes, the pain lasted for centuries.
There have been refugees throughout history– fleeing because persecution, famine, war and increasingly because of climate change. There has always been fear of the ”other or the stranger”. .These fears are not new.. The global refugee crisis was bad before Covid -19, but it became worse after the pandemic arrived. Some nations, who never wanted to welcome refugees, have used the virus as an excuse to shut down their borders completely. Today there are millions of refugees from Syria living in Turkey, Lebanon, and Jordan. Today the world is in need of building bridges for refugees, not walls.
The US has considered itself a nation of immigrants, yet its policies have been laced with racial and ethnic bias. We have had a checkered history with immigration. The recent policies, such as separating small children from parents, without plans to reunite them, is cruel and morally offensive.– Let me address two current issues. the Dreamers and the TPS program. The Dreamers are people who were brought to the US as children and have grown up here. Some say: send them home! To where? This is the only country that they know. The Dreamers are contributing to society, yet they are living in legal limbo, and are subject to deportation at any time. — The other program– Temporary Protection Status (TPS) was granted years ago to people from some countries like Haiti and El Salvador that suffered natural disasters. Recently, I met a woman from El Salvador who came here 30 years ago, and has little recollection of El Salvador. She has been working and contributing to society in the US and yet is still in legal limbo.-Like other immigrants, these Dreamers and those under the TPS program are making solid social and economic contributions to society, and if given a path to citizenship, they can make substantial political contributions as well.
I want to say a word about two organizations in which I have been involved– Refugee Immigration Ministry and Mass Interfaith
Worker Justice. Both work directly with immigrants. I have been deeply impressed with the people I have met . They are focused, energetic, and hard- working (many times with multiple jobs) . They are hopeful and enthusiastic about being in the US. Whenever I feel down or gloomy about our nation’s prospects, I think of these immigrants who cheer me up, because they see the promise and possibilities in America. And when I see long lines of people wanting to enter the US, I have to say: Even with our shortcomings, we are doing something right!
As we move along during these restrictive times, we must not get weary or fall into a rut and turn inward. We need to turn outward . We need to remember that Covid–19 has intensified inequalities, so we need to reach out and share what we have with those who are in great need. That is why I would urge your support for Refugee Immigration Ministry and other outreach ministries. As we proceed, let us never forget that the members of the Holy Family were once refugees. (They fled because of persecution), We also should remember the Law of the Stranger- to care for the immigrant with justice and empathy.
As we move on, we should celebrate the joys of the 12 days of Christmas culminating with the Epiphany- the manifestation of the Christ child to the gentile world. In Matthew’s gospel account, there is an emphasis on Emmanuel -God is with us . Yes, God is always with us, and as Rev. Kapya frequently reminds us—God will not abandon us!– During this season, let us turn outward, look forward, and cherish and celebrate the present moments. As we move on, we need to ask for God’s grace so we can proclaim. enjoy and more fully understand the holy mysteries revealed to us. AMEN
Join us for prayers on Sunday at 10 am on our YouTube Channel.
Rev. Kapya Kaoma