Very soon the seasons of Advent and Christmas will be upon us. Gatherings with friends and family will soon commence. Recipes for seasonal cakes, cookies and traditional foods will be pulled from files. And Christmas hymns to be sung at concerts are currently being selected and rehearsed. All of these traditions call to mind endearing images of the birth of Jesus Christ. But, within the Christmas narratives that we hear proclaimed during the brief Christmas season, there is one particularly disturbing story that usually escapes our attention.

December 28 is the Feast of the Holy Innocents, which remembers the massacre of all the boys under the age of 2 in Bethlehem. Threatened by the news of the birth of the Messiah, and seeking to secure his throne, King Herod ordered this massacre, in an attempt to kill the infant Jesus. Joseph was warned of Herod’s plot in a dream and was told to flee to Egypt with Mary and Jesus, “Rise, take the child and his mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I tell you. Herod is going to search for the child to destroy him.” Matthew 2:13

In essence, Jesus, Mary and Joseph were refugees who had no choice but to flee their homeland, because their lives were in danger. Today refugees continue to search for asylum, in order to keep themselves safe from violence and abject poverty. Within our own community they can be found inside and outside the District 19th Police Station, waiting for an opening in one of the city’s shelters.

I am heartened that many parishioners, school families, and children have noticed this unfolding crisis and are compelled to do something. While our parish community can and should do something to help, our efforts are stronger when we partner with others who have already set up mechanisms to help our new residents. There is an ecumenical effort comprised of local churches, city government, and non for profits who are taking a multi-pronged approach. I would encourage everyone to learn about these efforts, and seriously consider participating by going to https://sites.google.com/view/19thdistrict/home.

The issue of immigration is a complex one that is constantly in flux, and elicits a wide range of opinions and emotions. But, these efforts, and our participation is not about policy. It’s about responding to a crisis with compassion. Regardless of how they got here, legally or illegally, they are here now, and very soon they will be facing our city’s brutal winter. I encourage our community to participate in some of the relief efforts, especially those that allow for an interpersonal connection with some of these families. They most certainly need coats, hats and gloves, but equally important, their human dignity needs to be acknowledged and preserved. There is no better way to accomplish this than by encountering someone face to face.

In Matthew’s gospel we are reminded that we have a responsibility to the poor and marginalized in our society. More importantly, we learn that Jesus identifies with them, “Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the earth…For I was a stranger and you welcomed me.” Matthew 25:34-35 As we move into the holy seasons of Advent and Christmas, let us not forget that the one who’s birth we will soon celebrate, and who’s return we anticipate, is already here, in our own community, at the District 19 Police Station.  Let us welcome him.

Fr. Sergio Romo

Pastor

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