Blessings of peace to all of you, my brothers and sisters in Christ.
We gather today in a world that groans under the weight of its own brokenness, a world where the cries of the innocent too often fade into an indifferent silence. We have heard the Psalmist’s ancient lament, a chilling echo in our modern age: "They slay the widow and the sojourner, and murder the fatherless." From the sands of Niger to the streets of our own cities, the violence against the most vulnerable continues. It is a stark reminder that the culture of death is not an abstract concept; it is a reality that extinguishes lives and shatters communities. This is not merely a political or social issue; it is a profound spiritual crisis, a rejection of the sacred dignity bestowed upon every human person by our Creator.
Yet, we are not a people without hope. We are an Easter people, and "Alleluia" is our song! We are called to be the hands and heart of Christ in this wounded world. Imagine, if you will, a world where this violence is not met with more violence, but with an unshakeable commitment to justice, mercy, and radical love. A world where good men and women, inspired by the Gospel, build systems of protection, foster reconciliation, and champion the cause of the oppressed. This is not a naive dream; it is the kingdom of God breaking through, and it is built by our daily choices to choose love over hatred, courage over complacency.
This sacred work of building a civilization of love must begin in the most fundamental unit of society: the family. From the book of Genesis, we are given the divine blueprint: "Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh." The family, founded on the permanent, faithful, and fruitful union of a man and a woman, is the primary school of love, the first hospital for the wounded, and the bedrock of a healthy society. To defend this institution is not to reject or disparage anyone, but to protect a sanctuary that nurtures future generations in truth and love. It is to affirm a beautiful, God-given truth for the good of all humanity.
And what threatens this sanctuary, and indeed all of society? We see it in the protests that turn to chaos, where the righteous anger against corruption and nepotism is hijacked by the very darkness it seeks to oppose. The Proverb warns us, "By justice a king builds up the land, but he who exacts gifts tears it down." This moral decay, this corruption that places self-interest above the common good, eats away at the foundations of trust and community. It is a poison that tells us that truth is negotiable, that power is for personal gain, and that the vulnerable are merely obstacles to be overcome.
This is a moment of great peril. If we, the faithful, choose comfort over conviction, if we retreat into the privacy of our faith and abandon the public square to the forces of cynicism, violence, and moral confusion, then we risk a true apocalypse of the spirit. We risk a world where the light of human dignity is extinguished, where the family is redefined into irrelevance, and where corruption becomes the uncontested ruler. The darkness will not simply be out there; it will be within us, a chilling emptiness where hope and love once resided.
And here, we must look inward, at one of the great challenges facing our own Church in these modern times: the scandal of a faith that is proclaimed but not lived, a comfortable Christianity that has lost its missionary zeal. We have too often been a silent majority when we are called to be a joyful, courageous, and vocal leaven in the world. Our challenge is to move from the pews to the streets, to incarnate the Gospel not just with our words on Sunday, but with our actions every day of the week.
Therefore, I call upon you, my dear brothers and sisters! I implore you! Do not let this moment pass you by. Be the good men and women through whom Christ solves these great problems. Advocate for the innocent. Support and strengthen families. Be models of integrity in your workplaces and communities. Demand justice from your leaders and live justly yourselves. Reject the corruption of cynicism and embrace the hope of the Gospel.
Let your life be a sermon. Let your actions be a prayer. Let us go forth from this place not as passive observers of a declining world, but as active builders of the Kingdom of God, a kingdom of peace, justice, and radiant love. The world is waiting for the light that dwells within you. Do not hide it. Set it upon a stand for all to see.
Amen.
What can we do?
First, in response to violence against the innocent: actively support and donate to humanitarian organizations that provide aid and protection in conflict zones. Educate yourself on global crises, and use your voice—through social media, conversations, or letters to elected representatives—to advocate for policies that prioritize human dignity and safety. In your own community, practice kindness and stand up against bullying or discrimination in any form, however small it may seem.
Second, regarding the importance of strong relationships and families: focus on building and nurturing your own relationships with integrity, compassion, and commitment. Support friends, family members, and community initiatives that strengthen marriages and family bonds. Respect others’ personal lives and choices, and foster environments where people feel valued, heard, and supported, regardless of differences in belief or lifestyle.
Third, to counter corruption and moral decay: hold yourself and those around you to high ethical standards in both personal and professional life. Reject dishonesty, favoritism, and opportunism. Participate constructively in your community—join local organizations, attend town meetings, vote conscientiously, and demand transparency from leaders. Teach the next generation, through word and example, the value of honesty, hard work, and justice.
Each of us, through daily choices rooted in compassion, integrity, and responsibility, can contribute to a world that is safer, kinder, and more just.
Go in peace.
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