Blessings of peace, grace, and the abiding love of our Lord Jesus Christ to all of you, my brothers and sisters, on this Sunday, a day the Lord has made for our rest, our reflection, and our renewal in His spirit.
On this Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time, as the liturgical year draws towards its close, our Mother Church invites us to ponder the end of things, not with fear, but with the hopeful vigilance of servants awaiting their master’s return. We are called to look at the world, with all its turmoil and all its beauty, and to ask ourselves: what have we done with the talents our Master has entrusted to us? The readings of this season speak of final things, of accountability, and of the glorious promise of a new creation. It is in this spirit that we must confront the shadows that darken our modern world, not as a people without hope, but as a people whose hope is founded on the Rock of our salvation.
We look upon the structures of human power and we see a scourge that has plagued humanity since the dawn of time: the corruption of justice. We see leaders, entrusted with the sacred duty to steward their nations, who instead tear them down for the glitter of bribes and the whispers of personal gain. The ancient wisdom rings true: a kingdom built on justice stands firm, but one built on greed is destined for ruin. We see this instability in nations near and far, where the trust between the governed and their governors is fractured, where the common good is sacrificed on the altar of private wealth. This is not merely a political failure; it is a profound moral and spiritual failure. It is a rejection of the divine mandate to serve, a sin that cripples nations and leaves the most vulnerable exposed to the elements.
And from this corruption of power often flows its terrible offspring: violence and injustice. When the powerful are concerned only with their own enrichment, the cry of the poor, the weak, the orphan, and the oppressed goes unheard. We hear these cries echoing from city squares across the world, where citizens march in righteous anger, mourning the loss of their loved ones to a culture of violence that their own institutions have failed to curb. To defend the weak and the fatherless is not a suggestion from a bygone era; it is the non-negotiable heartbeat of a just society. When we fail in this, when we allow the wicked to prey upon the needy, we build our cities on a foundation of sand, and the rains of discord will surely wash them away.
And what of those who suffer for their faith, for their conscience, for their very identity? We remember with sorrow those who, even in living memory, were persecuted for righteousness' sake. Their stories are a stark reminder that the shadow of the cross falls not only on Calvary but across the pages of history, in convents and prisons, in public squares and private homes, where human dignity is crushed by ideological tyranny. To be blessed in persecution is a divine mystery, a grace bestowed upon the suffering faithful, but it is a condemnation of those who inflict the suffering. It is a testament to a world that still rejects the message of love it so desperately needs.
My dear brothers and sisters, do we look upon this landscape and despair? Do we wring our hands and wait for a cataclysm? No! A thousand times, no! We are an Easter people, and ‘Alleluia’ is our song! We are called to envision a world, not as it is, but as it can be through Christ, who strengthens us. Imagine a world where good men and women, inspired by the Gospel, enter the halls of power and cleanse them with integrity. Imagine a world where the pursuit of justice is so fervent that violence finds no fertile ground. Imagine a world where every person can worship God according to their conscience, without fear. This is not a naive dream. This is the Kingdom of God, struggling to be born in our midst through our own hands, our own voices, and our own courageous choices.
Yet, we cannot effectively heal the world if we are unwilling to heal the wounds within our own spiritual home. One of the great trials facing the Church in our time is the scandal of division and internal strife, where factions arise, and the seamless garment of Christ is torn by polemics and a lack of charity. This internal discord weakens our witness and muffles the beautiful song of the Gospel we are meant to proclaim to the nations. I call upon every one of you, the faithful, to be artisans of unity. In your families, in your parishes, in your online dialogues, seek not to be right, but to be righteous. Seek not to win arguments, but to win hearts for Christ. Let your first instinct be understanding, your first word be kindness, and your first action be love. Heal the Church from within, so that she may be a more radiant instrument for healing the world.
But heed this warning, beloved flock. The path we are on, if left unchecked by a collective conversion of heart, leads not to renewal but to ruin. If we continue to tolerate corruption, we will reap societies built on quicksand, which will collapse into anarchy. If we continue to ignore the cry of the poor and the victims of violence, we will harvest a whirlwind of rage and desolation that will spare no one. If we allow the lamp of faith to be extinguished by persecution or our own lukewarmness, we will be left in a spiritual darkness so profound that the very concept of human dignity will be lost. These are not the threats of an angry God, but the natural and tragic consequences of a humanity that has turned its back on the laws of love written on its heart. This is the apocalypse of our own making.
Therefore, on this holy Sunday, let us leave this place not as mere listeners, but as apostles. Let us be the stable foundation in a world of shifting loyalties. Let us be the defenders of the weak in a culture of indifference. Let us be the steadfast witnesses in an age of fear. Do not say, "I am only one person." You are one person filled with the Holy Spirit. You are a living stone in the temple of God. Go forth. Engage in public life with moral clarity. Stand with the marginalized. Support those who work for justice. Pray without ceasing. And love, love recklessly, love until it hurts, for this is how we will solve the great problems of our age. This is how, with Jesus’s help, the good works of good men and women will build a civilization of love, a foretaste of the new Jerusalem.
Amen.
What can we do?
When we see corruption in government systems, begin by becoming an informed citizen in your own community. Research candidates' backgrounds before voting, attend town hall meetings, and support transparency initiatives. Consider joining or donating to organizations that monitor government accountability. When you encounter unethical practices in your workplace or community, speak up through proper channels rather than remaining silent. Your individual commitment to integrity in small matters creates ripples that can eventually transform larger systems.
Confronting violence and injustice starts with how we treat those around us. Support local shelters and community programs that assist vulnerable populations. Educate yourself about restorative justice practices and conflict resolution. When you witness bullying, discrimination, or mistreatment, intervene safely or report it. Develop the habit of listening to marginalized voices in your community rather than making assumptions about their needs. Small, consistent acts of protection and advocacy matter profoundly.
Addressing religious persecution requires both courage and compassion. Learn about belief systems different from your own to build understanding. Support interfaith dialogues and events in your community. When you encounter prejudice against any religious group, challenge stereotypes in conversation. Consider writing to representatives about religious freedom concerns. Most importantly, create spaces of welcome and respect in your own circles, ensuring nobody feels excluded or threatened because of their spiritual beliefs.
Each day presents opportunities to choose honesty over convenience, protection over indifference, and inclusion over exclusion. These individual actions, multiplied across communities and nations, gradually reshape our world.
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.