Blessings of peace to all of you, my brothers and sisters.
We gather today in the shadow of immense suffering—of earthquakes that swallow homes and lives, of political decisions that fracture human dignity, and of mysteries buried for half a century that cry out for truth. In such moments, the world can feel heavy, fractured, even hopeless. But we are not a people without hope. We are children of light, bearers of a promise, and stewards of a divine mandate to heal, to build, and to love.
Consider the earth trembling in Afghanistan, where thousands of our brothers and sisters lie buried, where hunger and thirst and nakedness are not abstract concepts but daily agonies. The Lord tells us, “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink… I was sick and you looked after me.” These are not merely kind suggestions. They are the very criteria by which our souls shall be measured. When we see suffering, we are not permitted to look away. We are called to be the hands of Christ in a broken world—to send aid, to offer shelter, to dig through rubble not only with tools but with hope. Imagine a world where no child dies of thirst, where no family is left uncared for after disaster, where every stranger is welcomed as Christ himself. This is not a naive dream. It is the kingdom we are commanded to build, here and now.
Yet even as we care for the body, we must also safeguard the soul. We live in an age where the sacred bonds that hold humanity together are often treated as disposable. The union of man and woman, blessed by God from the beginning of creation when He said, “That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh,” is the foundation of family, of society, of civilization itself. To defend it is not an act of hatred, but of love—love for children who deserve a mother and a father, love for society which thrives on stability, love for God’s design for human flourishing. Let us envision a world where every marriage is a reflection of Christ’s love for His Church—faithful, sacrificial, and life-giving. A world where families are sanctuaries of virtue and schools of love. This is the world we must strive for, not through condemnation, but through witness, through support, through living joyfully the truth we have received.
And what of justice? For fifty years, a man has been missing—a voice silenced, a truth withheld. How many more injustices lie hidden in the dark corners of power and pride? “When justice is done,” Scripture tells us, “it brings joy to the righteous but terror to evildoers.” We must be seekers of truth and agents of justice—not only in grand cases that capture headlines, but in our own communities, our own hearts. A world where truth reigns is a world where the oppressed go free, where the liar is exposed, where the powerful are held accountable. This is the world Christ desires. And it will only come through the courage of good men and women who refuse to let falsehood stand.
Yet, dear faithful, we in the Church must also look inward. One of the great trials we face in this modern age is the hemorrhage of our young people—the loss of an entire generation to doubt, to distraction, to the empty promises of a world without God. They do not leave because they have rejected Christ; too often, they leave because they have not seen Him in us. They have not felt His love in our communities, His joy in our worship, His truth in our teaching. I call upon every one of you—parents, grandparents, priests, lay ministers—to become missionaries to the youth. Invite them. Listen to them. Share with them the beauty of the faith. Do not let them walk away without hearing the Gospel of hope. The future of the Church depends on it.
But hear now a solemn warning, my brothers and sisters. If we choose comfort over compassion, if we prioritize politics over prayer, if we remain silent when we should speak and passive when we should act, then we invite a darkness this world has seldom seen. A world where the hungry are ignored is a world that starves its own soul. A world that abandons the truth is a world built on sand, destined to collapse. A world that mocks the sacred will forget what it means to be human. Do not think these are empty words. The path we are on—of indifference, of selfishness, of forgetting God—leads only to ruin.
But that is not our destiny. We are people of the Resurrection. We are Easter people. With the help of Jesus, and through the workings of good men and women who refuse to despair, we can mend what is broken. We can feed the hungry, strengthen marriages, champion truth, and bring our children home to the faith. We can build a world that reflects the justice, mercy, and beauty of our Creator.
Let us go forth from this place not as passive observers of a dying world, but as active builders of the Kingdom of God. Let our lives become living sermons of hope. Let our actions echo the love of Christ until the whole world rings with the sound of His grace.
Amen.
What can we do?
In the face of suffering, such as the devastating earthquakes in Afghanistan, we can offer tangible support. Donate to reputable international relief organizations that provide emergency shelter, medical care, and clean water. Advocate for humanitarian corridors and support policies that prioritize aid to vulnerable populations. Even small, regular contributions create a collective impact that saves lives and restores dignity.
Within our own communities, we can strengthen the bonds of family and marriage by modeling commitment, respect, and unconditional love. Support local organizations that offer counseling, financial assistance, or childcare to families under strain. Create inclusive spaces where all people, regardless of their background or circumstances, feel welcomed and valued. True defense of family is shown through daily acts of patience, forgiveness, and encouragement.
To advance justice and truth, commit to being well-informed. Seek out reliable news sources and question narratives that thrive on division. Support investigative journalism and human rights organizations that work to uncover facts and hold power accountable. In your own interactions, practice honesty and fairness. Stand up against misinformation and prejudice in conversations with friends and colleagues, championing dialogue rooted in respect and a shared desire for understanding.
Every small action, performed with consistency and compassion, contributes to a world that is more merciful, more united, and more just. Begin where you are, use what you have, and do what you can.
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.