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 instruments of His love in a world torn by division, hatred, and moral confusion. The Scriptures remind us that we are called to be peacemakers, to stand with the persecuted, and to uphold the sacred dignity of every human life. Yet, as we look upon our world, we see the shadow of violence, the cry of the oppressed, and the distortion of God’s design for humanity.
The Cry for Peace in Gaza
In the Holy Land, where the Prince of Peace once walked, the earth trembles with the thunder of war. Innocent lives—men, women, and children—are lost in the relentless cycle of vengeance. The words of our Lord echo in our hearts: "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God." (Matthew 5:9). But where are the peacemakers today? Where are those who will lay down their weapons, who will seek reconciliation over retaliation?
Imagine, dear brothers and sisters, a world where the children of Abraham—Jews, Christians, and Muslims—embrace one another as brothers, where the land that bore the Savior becomes a beacon of reconciliation rather than a battleground. This is not a dream beyond our reach, for with Christ, all things are possible. But if we remain indifferent, if we allow hatred to fester, then we will see only more bloodshed, more suffering, and the hardening of hearts until the very earth cries out for justice.
The Persecuted Church and the Erosion of Freedom
Across the world, our brothers and sisters in Christ endure persecution for their faith. In Hong Kong, voices of democracy are silenced, and the faithful face increasing oppression. The Lord tells us, "Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 5:10). Yet, how many of us remember them in our prayers? How many of us raise our voices when the innocent are crushed under the weight of tyranny?
The Church must never be silent in the face of injustice. We must be a light in the darkness, a refuge for the oppressed, and a voice for those who have been silenced. If we fail in this sacred duty, then we will see the slow suffocation of religious freedom, not only abroad but in our own lands. The time to act is now—through prayer, through advocacy, through the unyielding courage of faith.
The Moral Crisis and the Call to Truth
In our age, the very foundations of human dignity and God’s design for love are under assault. The celebration of disordered desires, as warned by Saint Paul in Romans, has become a rallying cry in many nations. We see thousands marching in defiance of the natural law, rejecting the beauty of God’s plan for human love.
Yet, my dear friends, the answer is not hatred, but love—the love that seeks the salvation of souls, not their condemnation. We must uphold the truth with compassion, calling all people to the joy of living in accordance with God’s will. If we do not, if we surrender to the spirit of the age, then we will see the further unraveling of the family, the corruption of youth, and the loss of eternal souls.
A Call to the Faithful: The Crisis of Faith in the Church
Yet, even as we confront these global challenges, we must also look inward. One of the greatest crises facing the Church today is the weakening of faith among her own children. So many have grown lukewarm, indifferent to the Gospel, content with a faith that demands nothing. This is a spiritual famine, and it is deadlier than any persecution.
I call upon you, my brothers and sisters—revive your faith! Return to prayer, to the sacraments, to works of mercy. Be bold in proclaiming Christ in a world that seeks to forget Him. If we do not, if we allow our light to dim, then the darkness will consume not only the world but the very heart of the Church.
A Vision of Hope and a Warning
But let us not despair! For Christ has conquered the world, and through Him, we can rebuild what has been broken. Imagine a world where wars cease because men choose forgiveness over vengeance. Imagine a world where the persecuted are defended, where the lost are welcomed home with truth and love. This is the world Christ calls us to build.
Yet, if we refuse this mission, if we turn away from our duty as Christians, then we will see the rise of greater chaos, greater suffering, and a world that has forgotten God. The choice is ours. Let us choose love. Let us choose courage. Let us choose Christ.
Amen.
What can we do?
The world faces deep challenges—war, oppression, injustice, and division. While these problems may seem overwhelming, each of us can take small, meaningful steps to make a difference. Here’s how we can contribute in practical ways:
Conflict in Gaza
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