Day 16 of Lent: March 20, 2025

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” — Luke 4:18-19

“While women weep, as they do now, I’ll fight. While little children go hungry, as they do now, I’ll fight. While men go to prison, in and out, in and out, as they do now, I’ll fight. While there is a drunkard left, while there is a poor lost girl upon the streets, while there remains one dark soul without the light of God, I’ll fight. I’ll fight to the very end!”

• Rev. William Booth

Lent is a season of reflection, repentance, and renewal—a time when we remember that from the ashes of our brokenness, God calls us into new life. It is also a time to recognize that we are not just recipients of God’s grace but agents of it. William Booth’s words ring with urgency: as long as suffering exists, as long as people remain trapped in the darkness of despair, we are called to fight—not with weapons of power, but with the relentless love and mercy of Christ.

Jesus began his ministry with the declaration that he came for the poor, the captive, the blind, and the oppressed. He came for those in the ashes, and his work was to lift them up. This is our work too. As we journey from ashes to alleluia, we are reminded that our faith is not just about personal salvation but about bringing resurrection hope to those still buried in sorrow, poverty, and injustice.

In our world today, we see the echoes of Booth’s passion: women still weep, children still go hungry, men and women still find themselves caught in cycles of addiction, imprisonment, and despair. But as people of faith, we are not called to pass by—we are called to step in. Where there is hunger, we offer bread. Where there is loneliness, we offer presence. Where there is injustice, we stand as advocates of God’s justice.

Lent invites us not only to fast from things but to feast on righteousness. Consider how you can fight against the darkness in your community this season. Where is there weeping that you can comfort? Where is there hunger that you can satisfy? Where is there a soul longing for the light of Christ?

From the ashes of despair to the alleluia of resurrection, we walk this path together. Let us be the hands and feet of Christ, lifting others from the dust into the full and joyful life God intends.

Prayer:

God of mercy and justice, you have called us to bring good news to the poor, freedom to the captives, and hope to the hopeless. As we journey through this season of Lent, strengthen our hearts for the work ahead. Open our eyes to those in need, and give us the courage to fight against injustice with love, compassion, and grace. May we be bearers of light, leading others from ashes to alleluia. Amen.