Blessings of peace, grace, and the abiding love of Christ to all of you, my brothers and sisters, on this sacred Sunday, the 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time.
We gather today in the light of the Lord, called to reflect not only on His eternal mercy but on the urgent mission He has entrusted to us—to be His hands, His voice, and His heart in a world that groans under the weight of corruption, conflict, and suffering. The Scriptures remind us that "by justice a king gives a country stability, but those who are greedy for bribes tear it down" (Proverbs 29:4). How painfully true this is in our time.
The Scourge of Corruption and the Cry for Justice
From the halls of power to the streets of war-torn nations, greed poisons the well of human dignity. Even now, in Ukraine, where brave souls fight for sovereignty, corruption gnaws at the foundations of trust. Officials betray their people, diverting resources meant for defense, for survival. But let us not judge them alone—corruption is a global sin, a rot that festers wherever power is unchecked by conscience.
Yet, we must believe in a world redeemed. Imagine a society where leaders serve not their pockets but the poor, where laws are upheld not by force but by integrity. This is not a dream—it is our divine mandate. The Church herself is not immune to this struggle. Too often, scandals have shaken the faithful, eroding trust in our sacred mission. Today, I call upon every one of you—clergy and laity alike—to be relentless in demanding transparency, in rooting out hypocrisy, in rebuilding what has been broken. The world watches us. Will we be a beacon of righteousness, or will we remain silent as the foundations crumble?
The Path of Peacemakers in a World of War
"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God" (Matthew 5:9). These words of Christ echo across the bloodied soil of Gaza, where hostages starve in tunnels, where mothers weep for sons lost to endless cycles of vengeance. Hamas refuses to disarm; Israel refuses to relent. And caught between them are the innocent—the hungry, the terrified, the forgotten.
But we must dare to envision a different future. A world where enemies sit as brothers at the table of reconciliation, where weapons are melted into plowshares, where children no longer learn war but are taught the language of mercy. This is not naivety—it is the radical hope of the Gospel. The Church must be a voice for dialogue, even when others shout for destruction. Let us pray without ceasing for peace, but let us also act—supporting charities that feed the starving, advocating for just solutions, refusing to let hatred harden our hearts.
The Sacred Duty to Uphold Human Dignity
The video of Evyatar David, emaciated, broken, is a cry that pierces heaven itself. "I was hungry… I was thirsty… I was a prisoner" (Matthew 25:35-36). Christ’s words are not a metaphor—they are a command. Every person suffering—whether in a Hamas tunnel, a refugee camp, or the shadows of our own cities—is Christ Himself, begging us to see Him, to serve Him.
We must ask ourselves: Have we grown numb to suffering? Have we allowed distance to excuse indifference? The world is drowning in apathy, but the Church must be a lifeboat. Feed the hungry. Shelter the homeless. Visit the imprisoned. Do not look away.
A Warning and a Promise
Brothers and sisters, the hour is urgent. If we do not rise—if we do not combat corruption with courage, if we do not pursue peace with relentless love, if we do not defend the dignity of every human life—then darkness will spread. Nations will collapse under greed. Wars will consume generations. The cries of the oppressed will rise to heaven, and justice will come—but woe to us if it comes as fire upon a world we failed to save.
Yet, I tell you with unwavering faith: there is hope. Christ has already won the victory. But He chooses to work through us—through our hands, our voices, our sacrifices. Let us not disappoint Him. Let us be the generation that rebuilds, that heals, that loves without measure.
The world is waiting for the light of Christ. Let us be that light.
Amen.
What can we do?
The world’s problems—corruption, conflict, and human suffering—can feel overwhelming, but each of us has the power to make a difference in small, practical ways. Here’s how we can contribute in our daily lives:
Against Corruption and for Justice
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