There was a presidential election early this month. About 160 million out of 239 million voters cast their votes. Almost 100 million voted in advance and over 65 million joined the election by Mail. It was a controversial and unprecedented election, indeed. Quite a while in my congregation American election has been a big issue at our dinner table.
Another surprising unprecedented scene was the one who delivered an acceptance speech first was not the new present Joe Biden, but the new vice president Kamala Harris. That was the first time in American history that the vice president delivers the acceptance speech before the president. It is said that the victory of her presents the victory of the minors in the United States.
Apart from the political position, there were two things that attracted me in her speech.
The first one was the quotation she has used. That's from the late John Lewis. "Democracy it's not a state it is an act." When I heard this, it reminds me of Zacchaeus in today's gospel. And I thought maybe Haven is not a state but an act. In today's gospel, I see two remarkable acts. The first act is from Jesus. He left from Heaven with God and came to this world with us. And this act changed all human history. The second act is from Zacchaeus. He left his daily life, came up the tree, and saw Jesus. Those two acts end up with the death of Jesus and repentance and salvation of Zacchaeus. Jesus lost his life and Zacchaeus I earned his life. Those two acts are straightly directed to Heaven and I also see those two are Heaven itself.
The second one was what she said almost at the end of our speech. "No matter who you voted for, I will strive to be the vice president that Joe was to President Obama — loyal, honest, and prepared, waking up every day thinking of you and your families." Especially I was impressed by this expression. "No matter who you voted for I will be waking up every day thinking of you and your families." I have no idea what intention she had or whether she would keep this promise or not. But it reminds me of my attitude in my life. It made me reflect on it.
During my meditation, I had to admit that two of my major sentiments for the last few months were jealous and hatred towards people seemed don't like me. And I made many acts from it, such as backbiting, ignoring, and not praying for them. And I remember that one day in the past, I was strongly determined to pray for all people around me, every morning when I wake up. But I had to struggle with the harshness of the world, sharpness from people, and unacceptable circumstances kept coming to me. When I look back, It seemed like praying for people around me in the morning was the last thing I can put my heart on. It seems way beyond my ability.
But this morning meditation, the acceptance speech of Kamala Harris made me think of what Heaven means to us with two acts from Jesus and Zacchaeus. And even though it didn't give me the power or strength to overcome my jealous and hatred, at least it made me reflect on my life and made me see clearly what's going on inside me. I am still week, I am still so vulnerable, I have no courage to make my act like Zacchaeus.
But this morning I heard Jesus will pass through my town, and now I will begin to search for the tree.