By Noelle Gaffka, mission development minister

Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights; I have put my spirit upon him; he will bring forth justice to the nations.

I stood in the garage with flood water surrounding me from melting snow and freezing rain. I surveyed the submerged items and my frustration built as I began to move wet cardboard boxes that were waiting to be recycled. The cardboard had accumulated to an embarrassing amount.

Once they had all carried convenient online purchases and now were inconvenient truths I could not hide from. I paused in silent confession; I was not living out what I preached.

With each box I pulled from the water, I considered how it failed to mirror Christ’s peace on and for the earth. The excess of consumerism, the destruction of natural resources, and the pure waste of money were only a few of the examples each box held. As I worked in silence, I considered the social and economic inequalities that plague our communities and governments—and the ways my life may quietly participate in them. My heart broke in repentance. I sensed the invitation to look more deeply at what it means to live in a way that supports wholeness and flourishing for all God’s creation.

This turning inward is at the heart of the Lenten journey, inviting us to examine what must be released, repaired, and restored in our lives and in the systems we help sustain. Lent is an opportunity to practice biblical Jubilee—the justice-filled hope rooted in scripture that demands economic and climate justice so all God’s abundance is shared and life restored for all creation.

This is both a personal and communal call to ask the hard questions:

How are we contributing to economic and climate injustices?
In what ways is privilege working against the root of love and justice?
How can we authentically walk the path of faithfulness?

To find the answers, we must be purposeful in entering the Lenten wilderness with a Jubilee mindset, ready to learn and respond. We can fast from excess energy use, fast fashion, or waste. We can advocate for economic and climate policies rooted in justice and pray for a change of heart and systems. We can invite a response free from fears of scarcity.

As I walked a cart of ruined items to the dumpster, I prayed that the path before me would turn into the wilderness and the rain upon my head would cleanse my spirit and renew my purpose. With each step, I recommitted to joining God’s work of healing and wholeness for the world. Economic and climate justice are achievable only if we are willing to clear out the boxes and walk together through the wilderness.

Prayer Phrase

“Happy are those who observe justice” (Psalm 106:3).

Healing and Reconciliation

Gather a small mound of stones. Meditate on the stones as symbols of differences and destructive acts that continue to separate and wound the human family. Name and anoint each “stone wound” with a drop of water or scented oil. Offer them to God in a prayer for healing and reconciliation.

Today’s Prayer for Peace

Engage in a daily practice of praying for peace in our world. Click here to read today’s prayer and be part of this practice of peace.