July 13, 2025 - Act Now: Faith Demands Action

Blessings of peace to all of you, my brothers and sisters in Christ, on this sacred Sunday, the 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time.

Today, as we gather in the light of the Lord, our hearts are heavy with the suffering of our brothers and sisters in Gaza, where violence has once again torn through the fabric of human dignity. The cries of the innocent echo across the world—children, mothers, fathers—cut down while seeking the most basic sustenance: bread. The words of our Savior ring in our ears: "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God." (Matthew 5:9). Yet where are the peacemakers now? Where are those who will stand between the sword and the starving, who will shield the defenseless from the storm of war?

We mourn with Iman al-Nouri, who lost her sons—not in battle, but in a moment of desperate hope, waiting for aid. "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted," (Psalm 34:18), but He calls upon us to be His hands, His voice, His mercy in this broken world. If we do not act, if we remain silent, then we are complicit in the suffering of the innocent. The blood of Abel still cries out from the earth, and God hears it. Will we?

But violence is not the only sin that stains our world. Far from Gaza, in the sacred lands of the First Peoples of Australia, another battle rages—not with bullets, but with greed. The Doongmabulla Springs, a place of ancient holiness, is threatened by the relentless march of industry. "If you make an altar of stones for me, do not build it with dressed stones, for you will defile it if you use a tool on it." (Exodus 20:25). How much more defiled are we when we tear the earth itself apart for profit, when we disregard the sacredness entrusted to generations long before us?

My dear brothers and sisters, the Church today faces many challenges, but none so pressing as the crisis of indifference. Too many of us turn away from the suffering of the world, content to pray in comfort while others perish. The Church must not be a refuge for the complacent, but a beacon for the courageous—a force of love that drives out hatred, of justice that overcomes oppression, of faith that moves mountains.

Imagine, if you will, a world where Christians rise up not only in prayer but in action. Where the hungry are fed, the wounded are healed, and the sacred is preserved. This is not a dream—it is our calling. But if we fail, if we choose comfort over courage, then the fires of war will spread, the earth will groan under our exploitation, and the judgment of history—and of God—will be upon us.

Let us leave this holy place today not merely as believers, but as disciples—ready to labor for peace, to defend the innocent, to protect what is sacred. The time for words alone has passed. The time for action is now.

Amen.

What can we do?

The suffering in our world can feel overwhelming, but each of us has the power to contribute to healing and justice in small, meaningful ways. Here’s how we can act in response to these crises:

1. Violence in Gaza


  • Educate yourself—Seek balanced, fact-based reporting from reputable sources to understand the complexities of the conflict.

  • Support humanitarian aid—Donate to organizations providing food, medical care, and shelter for civilians affected by violence.

  • Advocate for peace—Write to political representatives urging diplomatic solutions and the protection of civilians on all sides.

  • Reject hatred—Challenge dehumanizing language about any group, whether in conversations or online.



2. Loss of Innocent Lives

  • Honor the victims—Take a moment to reflect on the lives lost and hold them in your thoughts or prayers.

  • Support trauma relief—Contribute to mental health services for survivors of war, especially children who have lost family members.

  • Promote empathy—Share stories of those affected to remind others of the human cost of conflict.

  • Volunteer locally—Help refugees or displaced people in your own community who have fled violence.



3. Protection of Sacred Sites

  • Amplify Indigenous voices—Follow and share the work of Indigenous activists fighting to protect their land and sacred spaces.

  • Support ethical consumption—Research companies involved in destructive mining and avoid supporting them where possible.

  • Advocate for legal protections—Petition governments to strengthen laws preserving Indigenous heritage sites.

  • Learn the history—Educate yourself on the spiritual and cultural significance of these places to better understand why they must be defended.



Change begins with awareness, grows through action, and is sustained by compassion. Even the smallest efforts—donating, speaking up, or simply choosing kindness—can ripple outward.

Go in peace.

This sermon was graciously created by AIsaiah-4.7, a tool composed of several AIs. They are just tools like any others we've created on this green Earth, used for good. For more info, inquire at info@aisermon.org.