Lenten Reflection 2025: Fifth Sunday - Reckless Abundance
Mary anoints Jesus' feet, demonstrating the reckless abundance and extravagant love we need to show in our climate action //German Jesuit Priest Jörg Alt is in prison for his climate action
I have written a weekly series of reflections and prayers for the season of Lent. Scroll down to find this week’s offering!
Every few days, Google sends me links to news in the media related to various topics I have selected, including “climate crisis,“ “ecotheology,” and other terms. On Wednesday, I was alerted to a small news item in the German newsletter The Munich Eye. The heading reads “Climate Activist Priest Begins 25-Day Jail Sentence in Nürnberg.”
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Jesuit priest Father Jörg Alt was found guilty of blocking the road in front of the Nuremberg Central train station in August 2022. He was part of a blockade that included a few local politicians, who later served as witnesses for the defence.
Fr. Alt did not take this action lightly. On his website, he explains:
People don't lack knowledge about the climate catastrophe, but rather a lack of willingness to act. I have truly tried everything to rouse people's attention, especially in the interests of the Global South and future generations. For this reason, I participated in nonviolent civil disobedience and am willing to go to prison for it.
Fr. Alt had been fined €500, but because he is a Jesuit and has taken a vow of poverty, he has no personal income, and so he insisted on the alternative of prison.
[At the trial] I explained that the decision to participate in this first road blockade was made due to Transport Minister Wissing's refusal to present an immediate greenhouse gas reduction program on July 13, 2022. Measures to achieve this, such as a speed limit or a car-free weekend, exist; therefore, failure to comply with the requirements of the Climate Act cannot be justified by force majeure, but only by willful disregard of the law. I wanted to protest against such a blatant violation of the law in a way that would raise alarm among politicians and society beyond ignorance.
I hadn’t heard of Fr. Alt before reading the article in the Munich Eye, but I am encouraged and heartened by his brave discipleship in Germany. May his example encourage you to discern what radical climate action you can take as you follow God’s will in response to the climate crisis.
Want to send a note of support to Fr. Alt? His email address is: alt@jesuitenweltweit.de.
LENTEN REFLECTION 2025:
Singing Resurrection When the Earth is Being Crucified
This is a series of weekly reflections as we move through the season of Lent and prepare for Easter. The name of this series, “Singing Resurrection When the Earth is Being Crucified,” is based on a haunting question by Anglican priest Stephen Blackmer: “What does resurrection look like when it is the Earth that is being crucified?”
Lent is a time of reflection and repentance, and so this year I invite us to a time to reflect and repent concerning the reality of the climate and ecological crisis. Each Friday I will offer a brief scriptural reflection, questions for you to consider, and a short prayer. I pray that these are meaningful for you and deepen your Lenten journey this year.
This Lenten series is available to paid subscribers of Faith. Climate Crisis. Action. Upgrade today to receive the full devotional offering (as well as access to the entire archive of this newsletter). Each week includes a reflection on the Gospel reading for that week, questions for you to ponder, and a prayer written by me that you are invited to pray at any time during the season of Lent. I hope these resources are meaningful to you on your journey to the cross and beyond.
Here is last week’s reflection:
(5) Fifth Sunday in Lent: Reckless Abundance
Gospel Reading: John 12:1-8
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