Matthew 2:14-15: "So (Joseph) got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt, where he stayed until the death of Herod"
It’s
the same way these people left their homes in Bosnia and
Herzegovina. They got up one night, picked up a few of their most precious belongings,
which they could carry, and went into the dark cold night of the unknown,
leaving behind everything that they ever had. There was only one
thing that no one could steal from them, their soul. There was
no place for them in their own country, the only one that they ever had
known. There was no political party, military force,
international organization, or government to protect them. Left
alone, or so they thought. Over the next several years they
moved from one refugee camp to another, from Croatia, to Germany
and finally the USA. In their little world there were good and
bad people, and there were people with working permit (visa) and people
without working permit. They had to learn two foreign languages,
cultures, and customs.
Although they could, they
never questioned God's existence. Througout my life, I met many
people who were disappointed in God for losses that were much smaller
than any of the losses these people suffered, but they did not let their hearts be
filled with hatred toward their enemy. The only thing that
they could do in their own language was to speak among themselves and
pray, so they prayed, and prayed. Brought into this country
by “Catholic Human Development”, they got working permits, jobs, and
they slowly reestablished their life. Very soon they realized
that there is more in life than just a job, a car, or a house.
Something was missing, a prayer, not by yourself, but together in
churches like it was way back home. Slowely, many joined local
catholic parishes, although they did not know how to pray in
English. They wanted to pray, and it was hard to read and
translate. It did not feel like prayer at all. Knowing that one day
they will learn English prayers but they did not want to wait.
They wanted to pray immediately.
So one day, Mira, a widow with two children, called father Marko,
Franciscan in Croatian Catholic Mission in Detroit to help them.
Very soon after, our now retired Bishop Rose, gave his permission and
blessing, for Croatian Mass. Our catholic sisters and brothers from
Immaculate Heart of Mary church, generously offered use of their
church.
In conclusion, as I started with Matthew, I would like to finish with: