Blessings of peace to all of you, my brothers and sisters, on this sacred Saturday, as we gather in the light of Christ to reflect on the trials of our world and the hope that faith in Him brings.
Today, we stand at a crossroads—a moment in history where the choices of humanity will echo for generations. The Holy Spirit stirs within us, calling us to be instruments of God’s peace, defenders of the sanctity of life, and builders of a world where swords are beaten into plowshares. Yet, if we turn away from this call, if we harden our hearts, we risk a future darkened by violence, indifference, and the shadow of destruction.
The Cry for Peace in Gaza
In the Holy Land, the blood of innocents cries out from the earth. The words of our Lord in the Gospel of Matthew resound: "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God." (Matthew 5:9). Yet today, we see nations divided, hearts hardened, and the path of reconciliation rejected. The suffering in Gaza is a wound upon the conscience of the world.
But imagine, dear brothers and sisters, a world where men and women of goodwill—Christians, Jews, Muslims, and all people of faith—refuse to let hatred dictate the future. Imagine a world where leaders lay down arms, where children play without fear, and where the land that bore our Savior becomes a beacon of reconciliation. This is not a dream—it is a divine mandate. If we do not act, if we remain silent, we will see only deeper cycles of vengeance, until the very earth groans under the weight of our failures.
The Sanctity of Every Life
In Hong Kong, eleven women now face the consequences of illegal abortions—a tragedy born of desperation, fear, and a world that too often discards the vulnerable. The Lord speaks through the prophet Jeremiah: "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you." (Jeremiah 1:5). Every life is sacred, every soul a masterpiece of God’s love.
Yet, how do we respond? Not with condemnation alone, but with mercy, with support, with a Church that does not turn away from the wounded. We must build a society where no woman feels so abandoned that she believes this is her only choice. If we fail, if we do not offer love and alternatives, we will see more suffering, more lives lost, and a culture that forgets the dignity of every human being.
The Shadow of the Atom
Eighty years ago, the skies over Hiroshima burned with a fire that revealed the darkest power of human hands. The prophet Isaiah foretold a time when nations would "beat their swords into plowshares" (Isaiah 2:4), yet today, the world still trembles under the threat of annihilation.
But imagine, instead, a world where the resources wasted on war are poured into healing the sick, feeding the hungry, and lifting the poor. Imagine leaders who choose dialogue over destruction. This is not naïve—it is the only path to survival. If we do not disarm, if we do not turn from the brink, we risk a fire that will consume not only bodies but souls.
The Church’s Call to Action
Yet, even as we look outward, we must also look inward. One of the great trials of our Church today is the scandal of division—among believers, among leaders, among those who have lost trust in the Body of Christ. We must heal these wounds. We must be a Church of radical love, of transparency, of service.
I call upon every one of you—priests, religious, laity—to be living witnesses of unity. To feed the hungry, shelter the homeless, advocate for peace, and defend life not only in words but in deeds. The world is watching. Will they see Christ in us, or will they see only silence?
A Choice Between Two Futures
My dear brothers and sisters, the hour is urgent. We stand between two futures—one of light, one of darkness. If we choose indifference, we will see wars without end, lives discarded like refuse, and the ever-present specter of annihilation. But if we choose Christ—if we act with courage, love, and faith—then we will see the Kingdom of God breaking forth in our time.
Let us go forth from this place not as passive observers, but as soldiers of mercy, as builders of peace, as defenders of life. Let the legacy of Saint Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, who gave her life in witness to truth, inspire us to stand firm in faith.
The Lord is calling. Will we answer?
Amen.
What can we do?
The world faces deep challenges—violence, injustice, and threats to human dignity. But each of us, in small and practical ways, can contribute to healing and peace. Here’s how:
On Conflict in Gaza
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