Why debt justice is needed now
Read more about why debt justice is needed now to tackle the climate crisis
The dry landscape in Kenya during the drought
“If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him...”
Just before this gospel begins, Jesus has been with his friends, Martha and Mary. He leaves, and they then send for him urgently, when their brother Lazarus falls ill. But by the time Jesus returns, Lazarus has died.
Jesus weeps – we see his tremendous grief at the death of his friend, and his empathy with the bereaved sisters. When he raises Lazarus back to life, it brings great joy to his sisters, and surely to Jesus himself.
But it also brings terrible fear into the hearts of the chief priests and Pharisees. “The Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation,” they say. (John 11:48) They are afraid that Jesus will disturb the status quo that gives them privilege. What are they to do?
In Kenya, farmer Lokho has survived a long drought but grieves the death of her livestock and with this, the loss of her livelihood.
“The drought contributed to the loss of life, especially for the livestock,” she says. “People starved because they could not get food. You might sometimes have food in the house, but then there is a serious shortage of water in the area.”
Sometimes we need to shake up the status quo and question our own privilege. The climate crisis is affecting all of us, but it is hitting the poorest countries hardest. It is time to take urgent action, and work together for a better world for all.
Prayer
Christ Jesus, you grieved for your friend, Lazarus, and wept over him. You mourned with his sisters and worked a miracle to dry their tears. May our hearts be moved by the challenges faced by our sisters and brothers, and may we always be ready to work together for change. Amen.
Act
Read more about why debt justice is needed now to tackle the climate crisis.