Second Friday of Advent
Gospel: Mt 11:16-19
I cannot count the number of times I have written and rewritten the reflection for today’s Advent readings. When I initially volunteered to write the reflection for today, I thought I had a strong idea in mind. I kept getting stuck after my exposition about those who questioned Jesus in his ministry and how Jesus dined with those who even we might find ourselves questioning today. I tried to tie it to many themes, but continued to feel like I wasn’t hitting the point I wanted, or maybe the point God wanted me to make.
What was God asking me to do? I woke up at 2:30 in the morning as election results came in to my cat, Poppy, chewing on plastic (a terrible habit that could hurt him). I stumbled my way through my dark apartment to the kitchen to find his dry food bowl empty. I quietly filled the bowl much to Poppy’s delight and did my best to quietly return to bed without waking my fiance. As I laid down my curiosity got the best of me. I checked my phone and by then, President Trump’s victory was assured, even if the race hadn’t been called.
I had anticipated the Republican victory, but it didn’t soften the blow. I thought about what it might mean for the wedding of my non-binary fiance and I in less than a year. I thought about what it meant for the immigrants who I was working so hard to communicate the dignity of in Massachusetts. I thought about what it meant for so many people across the country. But I had known all along this would be the result and why.
No administration in the last 40 plus years has addressed the growing divide between worker productivity and income. People have been waking up to empty food bowls and are looking for anything to sink their teeth into, even if it is plastic. Unlike my cat who will get an immediate, albeit groggy, response, nobody has responded to their cries. Donald Trump misdirects people to believe he would fill their bowls, but Trans people, or immigrants, or a whole slew of “others” are blocking his way, but he promises to deal with them.
We know the only thing that’s actually blocking the bowls from being filled is a system that divides family, friends, and neighbors against each other too focused on the shortcomings of each to realize that we could all have our needs met if we sat with each other and filled our collective bowls together. At a time like this, we need to look at Jesus’ example and bring our message to those who might even be self sabotaging. Maybe, just maybe if we can show that everybody’s needs can be met, we can change hearts. Because believing that over 70 million Americans would willingly choose to hate, is not a reality I am willing to accept. I do not think Jesus is willing to accept it either.
Matthew LaJeunesse is a 2024 Re/Gen Cohort Member.
