Blessings of peace to all of you, my brothers and sisters in Christ.
We gather today in a world that cries out, a world whose wounds are laid bare before us. From the favelas of Rio de Janeiro, where the thunder of violence claims dozens of lives, turning streets into battlefields and peace into a distant memory, we hear the cry. We hear it in the profound betrayal of innocence, where a child’s trust is shattered by unspeakable acts, a crime that echoes the chilling warning that for one who causes a little one to stumble, it would be better to be cast into the depths of the sea. And we see this wound in the shadowy recesses of the digital world, where the vulnerable are hunted, coerced, and exploited for sport—the fruitless deeds of darkness flourishing in plain sight.
These are not isolated headlines from a foreign land. They are symptoms of a profound sickness in the human family, a sickness of the spirit. It is the sickness of believing that power is found in the barrel of a gun, that desire justifies any predation, and that the suffering of another is a form of entertainment. This is the culture of death, not merely in the physical sense, but in the death of empathy, the death of integrity, and the death of sacred regard for the dignity of every human soul, created in the image and likeness of God.
And yet, we are not a people without hope. We are not a people without a physician for this sickness. Our hope has a name, and His name is Jesus Christ. He does not call us to be mere observers of this pain, to cluck our tongues and scroll to the next news story. He calls us to be peacemakers. "Blessed are the peacemakers," He proclaims, "for they will be called children of God." To be a peacemaker is not a passive state. It is an active, courageous, and often dangerous vocation. It is to build justice where there is oppression, to foster reconciliation where there is hatred, and to plant the seeds of respect in the barren soil of exploitation. It is the work of rebuilding the entire human ecosystem, from the family home to the global village, so that life, in all its sacred beauty, can flourish.
Imagine, my brothers and sisters, a world healed by the grace of Christ working through our hands. Imagine the streets of Rio, not as territories of fear, but as communities where young men and women are offered education, purpose, and dignity, where the peacemakers have built bridges of opportunity that are stronger than the walls of gang affiliation. Imagine a world where every child is cherished, protected, and allowed to grow in innocence, a world where the justice system is not just a punisher but a restorer of moral order, ensuring that such crimes are not just penalized but prevented by a culture that universally condemns them. Imagine the digital landscape, not as a hunting ground, but as a place of light, where the deeds of darkness are exposed and banished by a global community that refuses to be a silent witness, that teaches its young the profound difference between fleeting amusement and lasting virtue.
This is not a naive dream. This is the Kingdom of God, and we are its builders. But to build this Kingdom, we must first tend to our own house. One of the great challenges facing our Church in these modern times is the scandal of a fractured witness. Too often, our internal divisions, our preoccupation with temporal affairs, and the shadows of our own failings have clouded the brilliant light of the Gospel we are meant to proclaim. We have, at times, caused the little ones to stumble in their faith. I call upon every one of you, the faithful, to aid in solving this. Be agents of unity and holiness within the Body of Christ. Demand integrity, live with transparency, and above all, radiate the merciful love of Christ in your parishes and communities. Let the world see not our disagreements, but our unwavering commitment to the truth that saves.
For if we do not take up this cross—if we choose comfort over courage, silence over prophecy, and indifference over love—then we must heed a dire warning. A world that continues to choose violence over peace, exploitation over protection, and darkness over light is a world writing its own epitaph. It is a world descending into a man-made apocalypse, not of divine wrath, but of its own selfish design. It is a future where cities become tombs, where trust becomes extinct, and where the human heart, hardened beyond repair, forgets what it means to be human. This is the path we walk without Christ. This is the desolation we choose without conversion.
But this is not our destiny. We are children of the light. We are the peacemakers. The problems of this world are vast, but our capacity for good, when united with the infinite grace of our Lord, is vaster still. Let us go forth from this place not as a passive audience, but as an army of mercy, a legion of builders, a family committed to the sacred task of healing our world. Do not be afraid. The Lord is with us. Let us begin the work.
Amen.
What can we do?
When we witness violence claiming lives in communities worldwide, our first practical response can be cultivating peace in our own spheres. This begins with our words. Refuse to engage in gossip or language that dehumanizes others. When you encounter conflict at work, in your family, or among friends, strive to be the one who listens first, seeks common ground, and de-escalates tension. Support local community centers and youth programs in your own city; these are proven to offer positive alternatives to violence and gang recruitment. Peace is not a passive state; it is a daily practice of choosing understanding over accusation.
In the face of crimes that violate the sanctity of life, particularly those against the most vulnerable, we must actively support justice and protection systems. This means being vigilant in our own communities. If you work with children, in education, or in any capacity with young people, be uncompromising in upholding safeguarding policies. Report suspicious behavior to the proper authorities without hesitation. Support, through volunteering or donations, organizations that provide counseling and care for survivors of abuse. Our collective voice must consistently affirm that the exploitation of the young is an absolute evil, and our actions must create an environment where such acts cannot be hidden.
As exploitation moves into digital spaces, with predators using technology to hunt and coerce, our vigilance must extend there too. Educate yourself about online safety, not just for yourself but for the young people in your life. Have open, non-judgmental conversations with children and teenagers about the dangers of online coercion and the importance of never sharing compromising images or information. Support legislation and tech initiatives that aim to protect users, especially minors, from predatory behavior online. In your own digital interactions, refuse to participate in or share content that objectifies or demeans others. Choose to make your corner of the internet a place of respect and kindness.
Each of these actions, rooted in the practical reality of our daily choices, weaves a stronger fabric of human dignity and safety. We build a better world not with a single grand gesture, but with the consistent, courageous choices we make every day to protect the vulnerable, pursue peace, and stand for light.
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.