Jesus was a migrant, Part 1

In its first act after the birth of Jesus, the holy family became migrants. When Joseph, Mary and Jesus left Bethlehem in the middle of the night, they were responding to a message received in a dream from an angel to Joseph.  It was an S.O.S. The message was clear: leave Bethlehem now and escape to Egypt. 

The Matthean story of migration follows a pattern that has been repeated by people throughout history.  There is danger.  People flee to another land.  They seek safety, new opportunity and a sustainable future for their families. The international code for help, created over a century ago, helps frame the urgency of the issue.  Known by the Morse Code signal of 3 short beeps followed by 3 long beeps and then again 3 short beeps, we recognize the universal cry for help in SOS.  SOS in the context of migration today could be construed as a search for SAFETY, OPPORTUNITY, and SUSTAINABILITY. 

The first step in the holy family’s flight to Egypt is an attempt to be safe. The need can be so acute that there is not other plan than to find safety and find it fast.  

In this season of Epiphany, it is good to remember this story of the holy family's flight to safety. Check in tomorrow as we continue to reflect on Jesus as a migrant.