Lent 2025 Day 15

Bartolomé de las Casas, Historian and Missionary
Jeremiah 22:3 | 2 Chronicles 20:1-22

Bartolomé de Las Casas (1484–1566) was a Spanish historian and Dominican missionary who became a passionate advocate for the rights of Indigenous peoples in the Americas. Initially, he participated in the colonial system, holding encomiendas—grants that included the labor of Indigenous people. However, witnessing the brutal exploitation and suffering of the native populations led to a profound transformation in his life. Renouncing his encomiendas, Las Casas dedicated himself to reforming the system from within, striving to align the practices of colonization with Christian principles.  

His advocacy raises critical questions about the role of Christianity in empire-building. While the faith teaches love, justice, and the inherent worth of every individual, history shows that it has also been used to justify conquest and oppression. Las Casas confronted this contradiction head-on, challenging his contemporaries to reflect on whether their actions truly reflected the teachings of Christ or merely served imperial ambitions.  

In Jeremiah 22:3, God commands the doing of justice and righteousness, urging the protection of the oppressed and the vulnerable. Las Casas embodied this directive, tirelessly working to reform the systems that allowed for the mistreatment of Indigenous peoples. His efforts led to significant, albeit imperfect, changes, such as the New Laws of 1542, which aimed to curtail the abuses of the encomienda system.  

The narrative in 2 Chronicles 20:1-22 tells of King Jehoshaphat facing a formidable enemy. Instead of relying solely on military might, he sought divine guidance, acknowledging that the battle belonged to God. Similarly, Las Casas recognized that the struggle for justice was immense, but he placed his trust in a higher power, believing that faith could guide societal transformation.  

Lent invites us to examine our own roles within larger systems. Are we complicit in structures that harm others, even unintentionally? How can we, like Las Casas, work toward reforming unjust systems from within? His life challenges us to ensure that our actions align with the core values of our faith, resisting the use of Christianity as a tool for oppression.

Reflection:

• How can we discern when our faith is being co-opted for purposes contrary to its teachings? 
• In what ways can we contribute to reforming unjust systems in our own communities? 
• How does placing trust in God influence our approach to confronting systemic issues? 

Breath Prayer: Inhale: Guide us in justice… Exhale: …as we seek Your righteousness.

May this Lenten season inspire us to reflect deeply on our faith's role in society, striving to embody its true principles in all our actions.

Amen.