Sometimes, it’s hard to be hopeful. Especially lately, it can be really hard to be truly hopeful. During this particular Advent season of waiting and anticipation, I find myself struggling with grief. When I read news story after news story about children dying in detention, about the impact the family separation policy is having on the most vulnerable among us, I feel tempted to allow myself to fall into a pit of despair.
One of the things that I’ve learned as a Christian living through the Trump presidency is that I need to grieve. Doing so is part of how I tend my spiritual wellbeing. Whether it’s praying with the psalms of lament or simply lighting a candle to la Virgen de Guadalupe as I read the news, I need to name my grief over the way we are allowing our government to act in our names, especially toward our migrant siblings. As I sit with my candle, I pour my heart out to la Virgencita, asking for her intercession on the part of her children. The psalms of lament remind me that we are not alone, that oppressive leaders have been a part of salvation history, that we as Christians come from a long line of faithful resisters who cried out to God from the depths of their and our grief and despair, that our God hears us, that our God weeps alongside us, that our God rages at the injustices that deprive creation of the fullness of life for which we are intended.
As anyone who has lived through the loss of a loved one can attest, it is not good to grieve alone. While the temptation to isolate is strong, we need to be in community during times like these. I’m blessed and lucky to be part of a community here that shares my values and acts on those values in ways that call our elected leaders to account on issues like these.
We cannot lose touch with our call to act, especially during these times. If you live in Austin, consider joining us in support of Hilda and her son tomorrow morning. You’re also welcome to write holiday cards to folks who are suffering under the Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP)/Remain in Mexico program in Matamoros. Send your holiday cards to First Presbyterian Church Brownsville, Attention: Project Matamoros, 435 Palm Blvd., Brownsville, TX, 78520. Please be mindful that not all who are waiting in Matamoros are Christian or speak English. Especially if you’re a Texas resident, consider writing to Ted Cruz about MPP. Address your letter to Sen. Ted Cruz, 9901 IH-10W, Suite 950, San Antonio, TX 78230. Lastly, do consider joining those who will gather in Brownsville and Matamoros this January to be present to those most intimately affected by MPP.
