I have a friend who often reflects on the dissonance between what we aspire to do and what we actually end up doing, as Paul did to the Romans in chapter 7:19: “I want to do what is good, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway. But if I do what I don’t want to do, I am not really the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it.”

Yesterday, we woke up – from the grandiosity of the U.S. mainland to the centennial colony of Puerto Rico, where I live – to conflicting, alarming and risky results. The presidential confirmation of Donald Trump and republican governor Jennifer González, is a bad dream we didn’t want to admit could come true.

In “Pedagogy of the Oppressed,” Paulo Freire affirms the importance of recognizing and promoting acts of liberation. Still, he intentionally defines these acts as not intellectual because they can merely provoke activism. Instead, they must be practical, critical and diligent in order to be significantly liberating.

I don’t want to be harsh on the Democrats (US) or the Alliance of the People (PR); I just want to state that there is too much to do. There is a different culture to aspire to, one based on education, economic freedom, social justice and inclusion.

What has happened clearly reflects fanatic rhetoric winning over actual need. When it comes to politics, let’s be less manipulative and more argumentative, more ethical and less violent.

With this in mind, our perspective on earth must be the perspective of heaven. In this regard, the concept of holiness might help us – not to divide but to abide by.

As the Methodist tradition affirms, social holiness must lead to sustainable ecosystems of dialogue, teaching and learning, help, leadership, transitions, understanding, emotional intelligence and a healthy distribution of resources. 

We strive for this, no matter what corner of the political spectrum we find ourselves in. But the questions remain.

Will our intentions for the kingdom be fulfilled with these results?
If so, is it Jesus’ kingdom?
If so, who has a place in it, everybody or just a few?
Is this what we wanted? 

My friend uses this image to give meaning to people’s emotional and irrational aspirations.

But Jesus, in Matthew 6:10, prays for the imminent act of the kingdom to make us responsible. The ambition of Heaven must make us accountable for what happens on Earth.

With our new reality, will there be daily bread? Will debts be forgiven? Will we lead against temptation or from it? Will we be delivered from evil? 

This is not only to aspire to freedom. It is to live and decide on freedom. 

Ballots define neither earth nor heaven; freedom does.

Let’s make way! 

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