Day 35 of Lent Monday April 14th 2025
Isiah 42: 1-7: ““Here is my servant, whom I uphold,
my chosen one in whom I delight;
I will put my Spirit on him,
and he will bring justice to the nations.
2 He will not shout or cry out,
or raise his voice in the streets.
3 A bruised reed he will not break,
and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out.
In faithfulness he will bring forth justice;
4 he will not falter or be discouraged
till he establishes justice on earth.
In his teaching the islands will put their hope.”
5 This is what God the Lord says—
the Creator of the heavens, who stretches them out,
who spreads out the earth with all that springs from it,
who gives breath to its people,
and life to those who walk on it:
6 “I, the Lord, have called you in righteousness;
I will take hold of your hand.
I will keep you and will make you
to be a covenant for the people
and a light for the Gentiles,
7 to open eyes that are blind,
to free captives from prison
and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness.
8 “I am the Lord; that is my name!
I will not yield my glory to another
or my praise to idols.
9 See, the former things have taken place,
and new things I declare;
before they spring into being
I announce them to you.”
Mark 11: 11-18 Jesus entered Jerusalem and went into the temple courts. He looked around at everything, but since it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the Twelve.
12 The next day as they were leaving Bethany, Jesus was hungry. 13 Seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to find out if it had any fruit. When he reached it, he found nothing but leaves, because it was not the season for figs. 14 Then he said to the tree, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” And his disciples heard him say it.
15 On reaching Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple courts and began driving out those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves, 16 and would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts. 17 And as he taught them, he said, “Is it not written: ‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations’? But you have made it ‘a den of robbers.’”
18 The chief priests and the teachers of the law heard this and began looking for a way to kill him, for they feared him, because the whole crowd was amazed at his teaching.
Day 35 of Lent – Justice on Earth
Justice is not just a concept; it is a practice rooted in love and compassion. Jesus demonstrated justice through his actions, healing the sick, feeding the hungry, and standing up for the downtrodden. He calls us to do the same. As we fast, pray, and give alms this Lent, let us examine our own lives: Are we advocating for fairness in our communities? Are we speaking up for those whose voices go unheard? Are we challenging systems of oppression and inequality?
Justice begins with awareness, grows through compassion, and is fulfilled in action. Let us open our hearts to God’s call for justice and seek ways to bring peace and equity to our world.
Prayer: During this holy season of Lent, we come before you with humble hearts.
Help us to see the injustices around us and give us the courage to act. Teach us to love as you love, to serve as you serve, and to stand up for truth and fairness.
May your Spirit guide us to be instruments of your justice on earth,
Bringing hope to the hopeless and light to those in darkness.
In your holy name, we pray. Amen.