Wanda has faced threats and intimidation because of where she lives in the Brazilian Amazon.
“Now we are going to Jerusalem and the Son of Man is about to be handed over to the chief priests and scribes. They will condemn him to death.”
Jesus knows that when he gets to Jerusalem, he will be arrested and executed, and tries to warn the disciples.
The same happens to Jeremiah, in today’s first reading. He has upset powerful people by proclaiming God’s message, and they concoct a plan to bring him down.
Throughout the ages, rich and powerful people have shown they will do anything to hold onto what they believe is theirs. Even if deep down they know their opponent is right.
In the Brazilian Amazon, land rights are a matter of life and death. It’s all too common for powerful individuals to claim public land to which they have no legal right, displacing communities and driving deforestation.
Wanda is part of a community of farmers struggling to reclaim public land that has been stolen. They face threats, intimidation and terrifying violence.
“I woke up the children,” Wanda recounts. “We were running and screaming. I threw a blanket over the children and I crept underneath. We hid and waited. At one point, I peered out and saw the bullets flying.”
She continues, “They were burning everything. We’re still traumatised. There’s a lot of suffering.”
The day after this violence, the community leader gathered everyone together and asked if anyone wanted to give up. No one did.
As Wanda says, “It’s not in vain, the struggle. If one falls, ten will stand up.”
Prayer
God our Saviour, protect those who are brave enough to stand up for what is right and question those who are powerful. Grant us courage to add our voice to the call for justice in our world. Amen.
Act
Ask your MP to pledge their support for a new law to protect people’s human rights and their environment.