Love is Coming for Us All : An Advent Reflection by Gabino Zavala , Peace & Justice Director
Peace & Justice
Love is Coming for Us All : An Advent Reflection by Gabino Zavala , Peace & Justice Director
Advent is a time that directs our minds and hearts to the coming of Christ . Jesus is Emmanuel , the hope of all peoples . He is the wisdom that teaches and guides us , the Savior of every nation . Advent reminds us of Christ ’ s promise . We hear Him say : “ Do not be afraid !” Jesus brings us light and hope in the midst of darkness .
While many of us will be preparing with joyful expectation for the coming of Jesus during this Advent Season , there are some of our sisters and brothers who live in fear and anxiety . Those that we call Dreamers , young men and women who are the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals ( daca ), live with an uncertain future . They feel powerless , robbed of their dreams , promises made to them taken back . For them Advent is certainly a time of hopeful expectation and a time of longing .
Let me share the stories of two of these young people .
I came to the United States when I was six . I realized the limitations I faced when I started thinking about college . Universities saw me as an international student with outrageous tuition rates . Scholarships had citizen requirements . When Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals first began , so many doors opened for me . I could accomplish my dreams of being a teacher in the only country I have ever known .
Fast forward five years since daca was established . I can now proudly say that I will be graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Education this
December . My dreams of teaching English Language Learners in a low-income school is becoming a reality . I want to inspire my students and be a first-hand example that in this country , we can accomplish our goals regardless of our circumstances .
When President Trump recently ended daca , everything changed . My first thought was disbelief . I feel powerless knowing everything that I have worked so hard for is being ripped up and taken from me . I cannot explain how frustrated I feel not knowing what ’ s going to happen in a year ( when my daca expires ). What if congress does nothing ? What if I can ’ t work ? What if I can ’ t attend graduate school ? What if I get deported ? What will I do in a country I don ’ t remember ? I cringe at the thought of being sent away from the country I consider home . They are robbing us of our dreams even when we have done nothing wrong . I would like to say that I ’ m not scared , but that would be a lie . Regardless of this , we will not stop fighting . My frustration is fueling my persistence as I protest and voice my concerns . We all must act and let our lawmakers know we are here to stay .
All my life , as far back as I can remember , I have wanted to be a Nurse and work hard for my parents and make them proud . My last high school year went great . I graduated in hopes of starting college in the fall . Everything was going fine until this past September when President Trump announced he was going to eliminate daca . My dreams and hopes came crashing down , and I couldn ' t help the sadness I was feeling and showing this sadness on my face . I am the first generation of my entire family
12 • The New Wine Press • November 2017