Blessings of peace, mercy, and the love of Christ to all of you, my brothers and sisters in faith.
We gather today in a world torn by violence, persecution, and injustice—a world that cries out for the healing hand of God. The innocent suffer, the oppressed weep, and the powerful too often turn away from mercy. Yet we must not despair, for we are called to be the light in this darkness, the hands of Christ extended to a wounded humanity.
Consider the children of Bethlehem, slaughtered by Herod’s rage—innocent lives cut short by the cruelty of a tyrant. The Gospel tells us, "In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not." (Matthew 2:18). Today, in Gaza, in Ukraine, in Sudan, and in so many forgotten corners of the earth, Rachel weeps still. Mothers bury their sons and daughters, struck down by war, hatred, and indifference. If we do not act—if we do not raise our voices against this slaughter—then we too bear responsibility for the blood that stains the earth.
And what of those who suffer persecution? The Apostle Peter reminds us: "Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings." (1 Peter 4:12-13). The crew of the Eternity C, the Christians driven from their homes, the refugees cast adrift on unforgiving seas—they are not strangers to suffering. They are our brothers and sisters, and their pain is ours. If we remain silent, if we do not demand justice, then we betray the very Gospel we proclaim.
Justice is not a distant ideal—it is the command of the Lord. The prophet Micah cries out: "He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?" (Micah 6:8). Yet today, we see justice denied, truth suppressed, and human dignity trampled. When a voice for peace is silenced, when the suffering of the oppressed is ignored, we must ask ourselves: Have we done justly? Have we loved mercy? Or have we allowed the world to descend into cruelty?
Yet, my brothers and sisters, I tell you this with all the hope of the Resurrection: A better world is possible. If we act—if we refuse to be bystanders—then Christ will work through us. Imagine a world where no child dies in war, where no refugee is turned away, where justice flows like a mighty river. This is not a dream—it is the Kingdom of God breaking into our broken world. But it will not come without sacrifice, without courage, without our hands and hearts laboring for its arrival.
And so I call upon you now, as members of Christ’s Body, to rise to the greatest challenge facing our Church today: the crisis of indifference. Too many of us have grown comfortable, too many have closed their eyes to suffering, too many have traded compassion for convenience. The Church must be a beacon of mercy, a fortress of justice, a home for the outcast—but if we do not live this mission, then we fail our Lord.
If we do not act, the darkness will deepen. Wars will multiply, hatred will fester, and the cries of the innocent will go unanswered. The apocalypse is not merely a prophecy—it is a warning of what happens when humanity turns from God’s love. But if we rise—if we stand together—then we will see miracles. The hungry will be fed, the oppressed will be freed, and peace will reign.
Let us leave this place not as passive believers, but as warriors of mercy, as champions of justice. Let us be the answer to Rachel’s weeping. Let us be the comfort to those who suffer. Let us be the hands of Christ in a world that so desperately needs Him.
Amen.
What can we do?
In a world where violence takes innocent lives, persecution brings suffering, and justice is often contested, we may feel powerless. But small, deliberate actions in our daily lives can contribute to healing and change. Here’s how:
1. Stand Against Violence by Cultivating Peace
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