Blessings of peace to all of you, my brothers and sisters in Christ.
Today, we gather under the gaze of the Lord, who calls us to be instruments of His love in a world torn by strife, suffering, and division. We look upon the Holy Land, where the cries of the innocent rise from Gaza, where the desperate seek aid, and where peacemakers—like those aboard the ship bound for Gaza—risk their lives to bring relief. "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God." (Matthew 5:9). Yet, even as we commend their courage, we must ask ourselves: What more must we do? How can we, as followers of Christ, not only pray for peace but labor for it?
The world is aflame with conflict, and the suffering of the innocent is a wound upon the Body of Christ. In Ukraine, families weep for their missing loved ones, held in prisons far from home. In Colombia, violence strikes even those who seek justice through peaceful means. "Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 5:10). But let us not mistake these words for passive consolation. They are a call to action—a demand that we stand with the oppressed, that we raise our voices for the voiceless, that we refuse to let the world grow numb to suffering.
The prophet Isaiah envisioned a time when nations would "beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks" (Isaiah 2:4). This is not a distant dream, my brothers and sisters—it is a promise, one that we must work toward with every breath. Imagine a world where the resources spent on war are turned instead to feeding the hungry, healing the sick, and sheltering the displaced. Imagine a world where diplomacy triumphs over destruction, where mercy overcomes vengeance. This is the world Christ calls us to build.
Yet, even as we strive for this holy vision, we must acknowledge the failings within our own Church. Too often, we have allowed division and scandal to weaken our witness. Too often, we have turned inward when Christ commands us to go forth. The Church must be a beacon of unity, a refuge for the broken, and a voice for justice. But she cannot do this alone—she needs you, the faithful, to rise up. To demand integrity. To serve with humility. To love without reservation.
And if we do not act—if we remain silent, if we turn away—then let there be no doubt: the world will descend deeper into darkness. Wars will multiply. The cries of the oppressed will go unanswered. The earth itself will groan under the weight of human greed and cruelty. This is not the future God wills for us, but it is the future we will inherit if we do not repent, if we do not labor for justice, if we do not love as Christ loved.
But I tell you, my brothers and sisters, there is hope. For where sin abounds, grace abounds all the more. Where hatred spreads, love can conquer. Where despair takes root, faith can flourish. Let us be the hands and feet of Christ in this wounded world. Let us be peacemakers. Let us be defenders of the persecuted. Let us be builders of the Kingdom.
Mary, Mother of the Church, intercede for us, that we may have the courage to follow your Son’s example—to love without fear, to serve without hesitation, and to believe that, through Him, all things are possible.
Amen.
What can we do?
The world is full of conflict, suffering, and injustice, but each of us has the power to make a difference—not through grand gestures alone, but through small, consistent actions in our daily lives. Here’s how we can contribute practically:
Conflict in Gaza
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