Blessings of peace, grace, and the boundless love of Christ to all of you, my brothers and sisters, gathered here and across the world.
We look upon our modern world, a world of breathtaking technological achievement and profound interconnectedness, and we see it groaning under the weight of a profound spiritual crisis. We see the works of human hands, intended for good, turned to instruments of terror, as we hear of drone strikes descending upon a funeral in Sudan, transforming a sacred moment of mourning into a scene of unspeakable violence and loss. In this act, we witness a terrible inversion of creation, where humanity, created in the divine image, becomes the agent of its own destruction. Where is the peace? Where are the peacemakers, whom our Lord called the children of God? They are there, my brothers and sisters, in the rubble, in the hospitals, in the courageous voices pleading for ceasefire. They are there, and they are us, if we so choose.
We see, too, the desecration of that which is holy. Not only in the heartbreaking news of a sacred temple in India, where the very gold meant to honor the divine has been stripped away in a betrayal of trust, but in the broader desecration of the human person. For as Scripture reminds us, you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you. Every act of corruption, every exploitation of the vulnerable, every instance where human dignity is traded for profit, is a theft of gold from the temple of a human soul. When we reduce a person to a commodity, or a sacred space to an opportunity for greed, we violate the sanctuary of the Spirit itself.
And we behold the awesome, terrifying power of a creation that groans for redemption. The typhoons that ravage the Philippines, shaking the very mountains and causing the seas to roar, remind us of our profound vulnerability and the fragile balance of our common home. In the face of such immense suffering, where dozens perish and hundreds of thousands flee, we are called not to fear, but to remember that God is our refuge and strength. This is not a refuge of passive hiding, but a strength for active compassion, a divine charge to become that "very present help in trouble" for our brothers and sisters whose lives are upended.
These are not isolated tragedies. They are symptoms of a world that has, in so many ways, turned its back on the fundamental law of love. They are the bitter fruits of indifference, of greed, of the failure to see the face of Christ in our global neighbor.
And let us look, with humility and courage, within our own spiritual home. One of the great trials facing the Church in this modern era is the scandal of a fragmented witness. We are often divided, my brothers and sisters, not just in matters of discipline or preference, but in our very charity. We bicker internally while the world outside hungers for the unifying message of the Gospel. We allow our differences to become walls, when Christ commanded us to be a bridge for all humanity. This division weakens our voice and muffles the song of salvation we are called to sing. I call upon every one of you, the faithful, to aid in solving this. Let your every word and action be one of unity and fraternal correction built on love. Let us lay down the weapons of gossip, judgment, and partisan spirit, and take up the tools of dialogue, mercy, and a shared mission. Let the world look upon the Church and see not a house divided, but a family, united in Christ, ready to serve.
For a new world is possible. Envision with me, through the eyes of faith, a world where the peacemakers have inherited the earth. A world where the technology that now brings death is harnessed to bring life, where conflicts are resolved at the table of dialogue, not on the battlefield. Imagine a world where every human person is revered as a living temple, and our economies and societies are ordered to protect that inviolable dignity. See a world where, confronted by the fury of nature, the global family responds not with isolation, but with a unified, swift, and generous heart, rebuilding not just homes, but hope. This is not a naive dream. This is the Kingdom of God, yearning to break through, and it will be built by the workings of good men and women, filled with the Spirit of Jesus.
But heed this warning, a dire and apocalyptic truth: if we do not contribute to this better world, if we choose the comfort of silence over the cost of discipleship, then the shadows we see today will become an everlasting night. The violence we permit will consume our own streets. The corruption we ignore will poison the very foundations of our societies. The indifference we show to a suffering creation will lead to a desolate earth, a silent testament to our failure to be stewards. We will have chosen, not with a loud refusal, but with a thousand small complacencies, a world without God, which is a world without light, without love, without hope—a hell of our own making.
Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, let us not be found sleeping. Let us be the peacemakers in a world of conflict. Let us be the guardians of sanctity in a world of desecration. Let us be the refuge and strength for those battered by the storms of life and nature. Let our Church shine forth, united in purpose and love. The Lord does not ask for our success, but for our faithful, courageous effort. He stands with us, his grace is sufficient, and his victory is our promise. Let us go forth, and build that better world, for the glory of God and the salvation of our own souls.
Amen.
What can we do?
When we see violence tearing communities apart, begin by becoming a peacemaker in your own circles. Practice active listening when others speak, especially those with different viewpoints. Interrupt gossip and harmful speech when you encounter it. Support humanitarian organizations providing aid in conflict zones through donations or volunteer work. Educate yourself about the root causes of conflicts rather than accepting simplified narratives. In your workplace and family, model conflict resolution through calm dialogue and seeking common ground.
Regarding the desecration of sacred spaces, recognize that respect for others' holy places begins with respect for all spaces and people. Treat public places, nature, and others' property with care. Support interfaith dialogue in your community by attending events at different places of worship or hosting conversations between diverse believers. When you encounter disrespect toward any religion, gently correct misconceptions while honoring the dignity of all involved. Advocate for the preservation of historical and religious sites through local conservation efforts.
In facing natural disasters, build resilience starting with your own household. Create emergency plans and supplies for your family. Support disaster relief organizations consistently, not just when catastrophes occur. Reduce your environmental impact through conscious consumption, waste reduction, and supporting sustainable practices. Check on vulnerable neighbors during extreme weather. Develop community networks where people can rely on each other in times of need. Learn basic first aid and emergency response skills that might help others.
Each small, consistent action creates ripples that extend further than we can see. The world changes not through grand gestures alone, but through the accumulation of mindful choices we make each day.
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.