Blessings of peace to all of you, my brothers and sisters, gathered here today and to all who join us in spirit across this wounded world.
We gather under the gaze of a compassionate God, a God who hears the cries of the afflicted and whose heart breaks with every act of inhumanity. We live in a time of profound contradiction, where technological marvels coexist with ancient brutalities, where our capacity for global communication is matched only by our capacity for global indifference. We must open our eyes, not to turn away in despair, but to see the world as Christ sees it, to feel the pain of our brothers and sisters as our own.
Look now to Gaza. Look upon the land where Christ Himself walked, a land now scarred by the machinery of war and the agony of famine. We hear the words of our Lord echo across the centuries, a sacred charge given directly to us: "For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in." In every child crying out from the rubble, it is Christ who is hungry. In every mother searching for clean water, it is Christ who is thirsty. In every family displaced from their home, it is Christ who is the stranger. To obstruct aid, to weaponize hunger, is to turn away from Christ Himself at the door. This is not a distant political issue; it is a fundamental test of our humanity and our faith.
And from this suffering, a shadow spreads across the world, a shadow of persecution and injustice. In nations far from the conflict, ancient hatreds are reawakened. The Jewish people, our elder brothers in faith, face a renewed and vile antisemitism, a poison that denies the very image of God in every human person. We recall the Lord’s promise: "Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." We must stand as a shield for the persecuted, a voice for the voiceless, and a firm barrier against the tide of bigotry. To be silent is to be complicit. To be indifferent is to deny our baptismal call to be peacemakers.
Yet, the corruption of power is not only found in warzones or in hateful speech; it festers wherever leadership is divorced from justice and service. We see it when the instruments of state, meant to protect and serve the common good, are threatened to be wielded as tools of domination and fear against a nation's own people. As it is written, "When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice; when the wicked rule, the people groan." A government that rules by threat and intimidation, that sows division instead of unity, creates not a society but a groaning populace. We are called to build a civilization of love, not a kingdom of fear.
And within our own Holy Church, we face a parallel crisis—a crisis of credibility born from our own failings. We have been wounded by the scandal of clericalism, by the abuse of spiritual power that has betrayed the trust of the faithful and obscured the face of Christ. This is our cross to bear, our vineyard to tend. I call upon every one of you, the faithful, to aid in its healing. Do not turn away in anger or disillusionment. Instead, demand holiness from your shepherds, support them in their pursuit of it, and above all, live that holiness yourselves. Be the active, engaged, and saintly laity that the Holy Spirit is calling forth in this age. Hold us accountable, so that the Church may truly be a spotless bride, a beacon of hope in a world adrift.
I tell you with a heart burdened by prophecy, that a dire future awaits if we choose the path of apathy. If we continue to ignore the hungry Christ, we will build a world where no table is safe, where the bread of fellowship is replaced by the stone of suspicion. If we tolerate the persecution of any group, we unravel the very fabric of our common humanity, until one day we will not recognize the monster we have become. If we accept the rule of the wicked, we will find ourselves groaning under a tyranny from which there may be no return. And if we allow the light of the Church to be extinguished by our own complacency, the world will be plunged into a spiritual darkness more profound than any mere physical night.
But this is not our fate! This is a future we can, and must, reject through the grace of God and the works of good men and women. Envision with me, through the eyes of faith, the world Christ desires. See a Jerusalem, a Gaza, a Baltimore, a Paris, where children play without fear. See borders open not to tanks, but to truckloads of bread and medicine. See leaders who are servants, and nations that rejoice in justice. See a Church, humbled and purified, radiating Christ’s love so brightly that it draws all people to the heart of the Father.
This vision is not a naive dream. It is our divine mandate. It begins with you. It begins today. With every prayer you utter, with every letter you write to a leader, with every donation you make to aid the suffering, with every act of kindness that defies hatred, you are building that kingdom. You are answering the hungry Christ, comforting the persecuted Christ, and serving the marginalized Christ. You are cooperating with Jesus Himself in the redemption of this broken world.
Do not be afraid. The task is great, but His grace is greater. Go forth from this place and be builders of the civilization of love. The world is waiting for your courage. The Lord is counting on your faith.
Amen.
What can we do?
In the face of overwhelming global challenges, it is easy to feel powerless. But the cumulative power of countless small, consistent actions by individuals can create a tide of change. Your daily life is your sphere of influence; here is how you can wield it for good.
When you see suffering caused by conflict, such as the famine in Gaza, direct action is possible. Research and donate to reputable, on-the-ground humanitarian organizations that have proven channels to deliver aid. Use your voice on social media and in conversations to keep the focus on the human cost of war—the innocent civilians, the children—rather than letting the narrative be dominated solely by politics. Write to your political representatives, urging them to advocate for ceasefires, humanitarian access, and peaceful resolutions. Support local businesses and initiatives run by refugees and immigrants from affected regions, offering not just charity but opportunity and dignity.
Confronting persecution and injustice begins with vigilant self-education. Actively seek out news from a variety of sources to understand complex issues from multiple perspectives, guarding against misinformation and one-sided narratives. In your own community, be a visible ally. If a group is being targeted, show up. Attend their events, patronize their businesses, and simply be a good neighbor. Report hate speech and harassment when you see it online or in person, following the appropriate channels. Foster environments—in your home, workplace, and social circles—where prejudiced jokes or comments are not tolerated, making it clear that silence is complicity.
To counter moral corruption and the abuse of power, embrace your role as an engaged citizen. This is a continuous practice, not a single event. Stay consistently informed about local and national politics. Vote in every election, from the school board to the presidency, understanding that local governance often has the most direct impact on your daily life. Hold those in power accountable by writing letters, attending town halls, and supporting journalism that conducts investigative work. Advocate for and support policies that promote transparency and ethical conduct in government. On a personal level, practice integrity in your own dealings. Be honest, keep your promises, and stand up for what is right, even when it is inconvenient. Model the accountability you wish to see in your leaders.
Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can. Your actions, multiplied by millions, can bend the arc of the moral universe toward justice.
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.