A zombie fire is a wildfire that appears to go out but really just moves underground. There it smolders and burns unseen until the conditions on the top are ripe for the fire to erupt again in its full, destructive measure. There are zombie fires erupting now in the Arctic as the planet warms. They are also erupting now in our cities, as justice is, yet again, denied.

Lent is a time when I used to respond to the call to give something up for 40 days. But as life got harder and loss piled upon loss, I began to resent being told that I had to give up something else for Lent.

“There are many reasons to turn to the Ten Commandments in the times we are in, but Anne Robertson gives us here  a useful way to engage our ancient texts in a lively and creative way.  Local churches and faith communities will find this a compelling way to discuss current issues in the context of Scripture and how we can improve civil dialogue.  Her thoughts on guiding discussions are a perfect resource for any group leader.”

I am broken this morning. Just yesterday over 600 workers in meat plants in Mississippi were arrested at work by ICE. It was the first day of school. Hundreds of children came home to no one, crying, wandering parking lots, and if they were lucky a friendly neighbor took them to a shelter set up in a gym. Today those children will join the thousands of children we are traumatizing daily in the hopes that our cruelty will make the U.S.