Matthew 2:1-18:
The following reading is often read the Sunday after Christmas—where at Ascension we regularly do a service of hymns. On internship, my supervisor had me preach the appointed readings on the Sunday after Christmas—known often as “The Slaughter of the Innocents.” Sound’s uplifting. But with the events of the days, I think it is important to read, to pray on, and to aid us in understanding the fear and rationale one might have to want/NEED to be a refugee.
“In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, 2asking, “Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.” 3When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; 4and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. 5They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet: 6‘And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel.’” 7Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. 8Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage.”
Note that Herod tells them to search diligently and bring word back to him when they have found the child—to pay homage. (If you haven’t figured that out, Herod was lying to the wise men, or telling a half-truth!)
9When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. 11On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 12And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.
They were warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they knew that Herod had alternative plans, and homage was not part of that plan!
13Now after they had left, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Get up, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.” 14Then Joseph got up, took the child and his mother by night, and went to Egypt, 15and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet, “Out of Egypt I have called my son.”
16When Herod saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, he was infuriated, and he sent and killed all the children in and around Bethlehem who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had learned from the wise men. 17Then was fulfilled what had been spoken through the prophet Jeremiah: 18“A voice was heard in Ramah, wailing and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be consoled, because they are no more.”
Jesus, with Mary and Joseph fled in fear of the life of Jesus. They were forewarned in a dream that Herod had plans to kill the child. So they fled their homeland (where they had originally gone to register for the census), and they fled to Egypt. They became REFUGEES.
Yes, there are concerns in our country, and in every country about safety and security. But what if Egypt had said no refugees?
With the flight/travel restrictions, and the issue of the wall, refugees are held in their homeland where they are at risk. A few months ago we heard and watched a video about those who flee primarily Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador for issues related to violence—this initiative is part of Lutheran Immigration Services and called AMMPARO. I pray that we can see these neighbors as people, children of God. It is complex and I want to believe there is a simple answer. As a parent, what would you do if your child had a chance at a surgery that only someone in the United States would do? Or if your child was at risk of gang violence and can’t go to school or go outside? There is not a simple answer, because it is complex. However, we must not forget that we are called to love our neighbors as ourselves. And that our Lord was a refugee. (http://elca.org/en/Resources/AMMPARO)
