Blessings of peace, grace, and the unwavering love of Christ to all of you, my brothers and sisters, gathered here and joined in spirit across the world.
We gather today in a world that is crying out. It is a world of profound contradiction, where the light of technological marvel is cast against the deep, chilling shadows of human failing. We see these shadows stretching long across our global family, and we must have the courage to name them, to bring them before the altar of God, and to seek, with contrite and resolute hearts, the path of redemption.
Look upon the world, dear faithful, and see the scourge of sexual abuse and exploitation. It is a poison that treats the human person, created in the divine image, as an object for gratification. It is the violation of the innocent, the betrayal of trust by the powerful, and a sin that cries out to heaven. The Apostle Paul reminds us that among God’s holy people, there must not be even a hint of such impurity. Yet, we see it in the hidden corners of our societies and in the glaring spotlight of public scandal, where the powerful believe their status places them above the sacred dignity of the least among us. This is not merely a crime of the world; it is a wound that has festered within the very Body of Christ, our Church. Our own house has been shattered by this evil, and the cries of the victims are a perpetual call to repentance, transparency, and absolute justice.
Hear, too, the cacophony of violence and injustice that echoes from the favelas of Rio to the war-torn plains of countless nations. The Psalmist tells us the Lord hates with a passion those who love violence. He sees the righteous who are examined, and the wicked who inflict terror. We witness security forces, meant to protect, sometimes becoming instruments of indiscriminate death, failing to loosen the grip of gangs only by tightening the grip of fear upon the poor. This is not stability; it is the slow suicide of a society that has forgotten that every life is precious, that every child of God possesses an inviolable dignity.
And see how the foundations of our societies are eroded by the corrosion of corruption and moral decay in leadership. From the halls of power in nascent nations to the boardrooms of influential corporations, we see the truth of Proverbs lived out in tragedy: a leader’s justice gives a country stability, but greed for power and bribes tears it down. When a nation’s hope is dashed by the shock move of a leader more concerned with consolidating power than serving the people, when the corrupt are tipped for succession, it is the poor who are left starving, the vulnerable who are left defenseless, and the entire structure of the common good is brought to ruin.
My brothers and sisters, to gaze upon this landscape is to risk despair. But we are not a people of despair! We are an Easter people, and “Alleluia” is our song! We must envision, with the eyes of faith, the world Christ died to save. Envision a world where the protection of the young is the non-negotiable priority of every family, every institution, and every government. A world where police officers are guardians of peace, not bringers of death, and where gangs find no recruits because our communities are brimming with opportunity, education, and hope. A world where leaders are chosen for their integrity, not their wealth, and where the stability of a nation is measured by the well-being of its most marginalized citizen.
This is not a naive dream. This is the Kingdom of God, and it is within our grasp if we, the faithful, have the courage to build it. Jesus does not call us to be passive observers of a decaying world. He calls us to be the leaven, the salt, the light. He empowers us with His Holy Spirit to be the good men and women through whom His healing is made manifest.
And so, I call upon you today to act. The problems of the world are vast, but we must begin by purifying our own house. One of the most pressing trials for our Church in these modern times is the crisis of credibility born from the shadow of abuse and the temptation of clericalism that places the institution above the individual soul. I call on every bishop, every priest, every deacon, every religious, and every lay faithful: become relentless warriors for transparency and accountability. Support the survivors, demand rigorous processes, and create a culture where the safety of the vulnerable is paramount. Do not look away. Do not make excuses. The restoration of trust begins with your courageous and unwavering action in your own parish, in your own diocese. Let the Church be a beacon of how to confront evil, not a cautionary tale of how to hide it.
But I must also speak a dire warning, with a heart heavy with pastoral concern. If we, the people of God, choose comfort over courage, if we hear this call and close our hearts, if we believe these problems are for others to solve, then we are not merely failing in our duty—we are accelerating a trajectory of ruin. A world that continues to exploit its children is a world without a future. A society that answers violence with greater violence is a society sowing the seeds of its own destruction. A civilization led by the corrupt is a civilization building on sand, and the rains will come, and the winds will blow, and the fall of that house will be great. This is not the wrath of an angry God, but the inevitable consequence of rejecting the law of love written on every human heart. We are, through our inaction, capable of crafting our own apocalypse—a world devoid of trust, barren of hope, and consumed by the chaos we refused to calm.
Do not let this be our legacy. Let us instead be the generation that said, "Enough." Let us be the hands that comfort the abused, the voices that speak for the voiceless in the face of violence, and the unwavering conscience that holds the powerful to account. Let us build a global society that reflects, however dimly, the justice, mercy, and boundless love of our Lord Jesus Christ. For with Him, and through the workings of good men and women of faith, all things are possible.
Amen.
What can we do?
When we see sexual exploitation occurring in powerful circles, begin by examining your own relationships and conversations. Treat every person with inherent dignity, refusing to participate in or laugh at jokes that objectify others. Support organizations that rescue victims and provide them with shelter, counseling, and legal aid. In your workplace and community, advocate for clear policies against harassment and be a voice for those who are vulnerable, ensuring they are heard and believed.
In the face of systemic violence and injustice, cultivate peace in your own sphere. When you witness bullying—whether in person or online—do not be a passive bystander. Intervene safely or report it. Actively support community policing initiatives and programs that address the root causes of crime, such as youth mentorship, education, and addiction services. Choose to see the humanity in everyone, breaking cycles of retribution with a commitment to understanding and rehabilitation.
Confronting corruption begins with unwavering personal integrity. In your own life, be scrupulously honest, whether filing taxes, taking an exam, or reporting hours at work. Demand transparency from your local leaders by attending town halls and reading public budgets. Support and vote for candidates who demonstrate ethical conduct and are accountable to their constituents, not to special interests. In your profession, reject any form of bribery or favoritism, creating small pockets of justice where you have influence.
These are not distant ideals, but practical daily choices. Through our consistent actions, we build a world that reflects our deepest hopes for justice, safety, and truth.
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.