Blessings of peace to all of you, my brothers and sisters in Christ.
Today, we gather under the gaze of the Almighty, who calls us to be stewards of His love, His justice, and His mercy in a world that so desperately needs them. The readings of this day, the cries of the innocent, the sacred bonds of marriage, and the demands of justice weigh heavily upon our hearts. We cannot turn away, for to do so would be to betray the very mission Christ has entrusted to us.
The Protection of the Innocent
The words of our Lord in the Gospel of Matthew strike like thunder: "But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea." (Matthew 18:6). These are not idle words, my brothers and sisters—they are a divine warning.
How can we remain silent when children are exploited, when innocence is stolen, when the weak are preyed upon by the wicked? The recent case of a convicted offender attempting to defile the sacredness of childhood even in a place of joy—Disneyland—should shake us to our core. If we do not rise as defenders of the innocent, if we do not demand justice, if we do not shield the vulnerable with the armor of our faith and action, then we are complicit in their suffering.
Imagine, instead, a world where every child is cherished, where no little one fears the darkness, where the Church stands as an unshakable fortress against evil. This is the world Christ calls us to build.
The Sanctity of Marriage
Marriage is not a mere contract, nor a spectacle for the powerful. It is a sacred covenant, blessed by God Himself. The Scripture reminds us: "Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge." (Hebrews 13:4).
When marriage is treated as a transaction, when it is exploited for vanity or status, we witness the erosion of its divine purpose. The protests in Venice against the misuse of sacred spaces for worldly extravagance remind us that marriage must never be reduced to a display of wealth or power. It is a holy bond, a reflection of Christ’s love for His Church.
Let us envision a world where marriage is revered, where love is pure, where families are strengthened by faith rather than fractured by selfishness. This is the world we must labor for.
Justice and Moral Law
The Apostle Paul writes: "For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil." (Romans 13:4).
Justice is not vengeance—it is divine order. The sentencing of a U.S. Marine for a heinous crime in Japan is a reminder that evil must be met with justice, that no one is above the moral law. But justice is not only the duty of courts—it is the duty of every Christian. We must be the hands that lift the oppressed, the voices that cry out for righteousness, the hearts that refuse to tolerate sin.
A Call to the Church
Yet, even as we confront these great evils, we must also look inward. One of the gravest wounds in the Church today is the scandal of division—among clergy, among laity, among nations. How can we preach unity to the world when we are fractured ourselves? How can we heal the broken if we are broken in spirit?
I call upon you, my brothers and sisters, to be instruments of reconciliation. To pray for unity, to work for peace, to love without reservation. The Church must rise, not as a fortress of judgment, but as a beacon of hope.
A Warning and a Promise
But hear this warning: If we do not act, if we remain indifferent, if we allow evil to flourish unchecked, then darkness will spread. The innocent will continue to suffer, marriages will crumble, justice will be perverted, and the Church will weaken. The millstone of divine judgment hangs over those who do nothing.
Yet, there is hope! For with Christ, all things are possible. Imagine a world where His light triumphs—where children are safe, where love is sacred, where justice reigns. This is not a dream—it is our mission.
Let us go forth, then, as soldiers of mercy, as builders of righteousness, as living testimonies of God’s love. The time for action is now.
Amen.
What can we do?
The world often feels heavy with injustice, but each of us has the power to make a difference in small, practical ways. Here’s how we can contribute to a better world in our daily lives:
Protection of the Innocent
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