Migration
Migration means to leave one’s place of origin and to temporarily settle in another place. Migration to the USA could be for several reasons, but today’s migration is mainly economical. Worldwide migration from poor to developed countries is one of the most serious problems today. For example, in Europe, the wars in the Middle East have escalated to the destruction of many cities and the people are simply trying to save their lives when they go as refugees.
The migration becomes immigration when the people looking for refuge decide to stay and make a new life in the new place where they arrived, if they are received. In our country, Hispanic immigrants come from Central America where the economies and social problems with gangs and drug cartels are devastating new generations. At the same time, global communications are constantly showing how different and rich North America is.
Humanity’s history is basically the history of wars and migrations, and the US was born of migration of the Pilgrims. Since that moment, there has been an endless immigration, creating what is called “The Melting Pot”.
The Church has never been an alien to these general migrations. The first migrants were Adam and Eve, who were deported by our Lord from Paradise because of their disobedience. “Therefore the Lord God sent him out from the garden of Eden to work the ground from which he was taken” (Genesis 3:23 ESV) This is an important issue because He didn’t send them to a place of torture but to work hard and look for happiness in the promised Seed. It is God’s will that everyone has something to do in this world, worshipping Him above all creation.
With each migration there is a search of a promised land that is God’s blueprint, and the Old Testament has several examples. The Exodus is well known where it is written that “All the people of Israel did just as the Lord commanded Moses and Aaron. And on that very day the Lord brought the people of Israel out of the land of Egypt by their hosts.” (Exodus 12:50-51 ESV) Remember that “The time that the people of Israel lived in Egypt was 430 years.” (Exodus 12:40 ESV) All migration stories have something in common; nobody wants to leave the place where they were born and grew up. Everybody wants to live better in a place with possibilities, but without God, it is extremely difficult, because He will bless those who are faithful and not those who ignore Him. Many immigrants have been successful while others have failed because they are looking only for money and the material goods associated with money. But remember, it has its origin of evil.
For immigrants it is important to remember that we live in a tough environment where there are many prejudices that need to be overcome. But, remember to give thanks to God because He lets us know His hidden treasures and He always takes care of His children without exception because we are under His control.
May God bless you.
