Blessings of peace, grace, and the unwavering love of Christ to all of you, my brothers and sisters.
We gather today in a world that groans under the weight of its own brokenness. We are connected as never before, able to see the suffering of a stranger across the globe in an instant, and yet this connection often fails to move us to compassion. We are called, in this very moment, to be the healers of this brokenness, the hands and feet of Christ in a world that has forgotten the sacred image in which it was made.
Let us first look upon the scourge of religious persecution and violence. We have heard the chilling news of children abducted from their very schools, from places of learning and faith, their young lives shattered by the blind hatred of armed groups. In Nigeria and in countless other places, our brothers and sisters are persecuted for righteousness' sake. They are the living testament to the words of our Lord, that the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these. Their faith, tested in fire, is a stark challenge to our own, so often practiced in comfort and safety. We must ask ourselves: do we stand with them only in prayer, or do we stand with them in action? Do we raise our voices for them in the halls of power? Do we support the organizations that bring them aid and solace? To ignore their cry is to ignore Christ himself, who told us, "Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me."
And what of the profound desecration of human dignity we witness? The horrific trade in human body parts, the reduction of a person, created in the divine image of God, to a mere component for a ‘magic charm.’ This is not merely a crime; it is a blasphemy. It is a scream of despair from a world that has lost its spiritual bearings, seeking power in darkness because it has closed its eyes to the light of Christ. When we forget that every human being—every single one—bears the indelible mark of the Creator, we open the door to this unspeakable evil. We must be the ones who tirelessly proclaim this fundamental truth: that every life, from conception to natural death, is sacred, inviolable, and loved by God. We must build a culture of life so radiant that the shadows where such rituals fester have no place to hide.
Then, we turn our hearts to the conflict zones of our world, to the places like Gaza where the guns may fall silent but the suffering continues. Where a ceasefire does not mean fullness, but merely a different kind of want. Where food arrives, but not the sustenance needed for a dignified life. Our Lord’s call echoes through the ages, "For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink." He identifies so completely with the suffering that to feed the hungry in Gaza is to feed Christ. To offer a cup of water to a child in any war-torn land is to offer it to our Lord. Our charity must be relentless, creative, and courageous, breaking through barriers of politics and prejudice to reach the human being in need.
Yet, as we look outward, we must also have the courage to look inward, to one of the great challenges within our own Church in these modern times: the scandal of a faith that grows silent in the public square, a timidity that prevents us from bringing the Gospel of Life to the heart of our cultures. We have, at times, allowed ourselves to be marginalized, to be seen as a private club with quaint rituals, rather than the revolutionary force for love and justice that we are called to be. We have been hesitant to proclaim the hard truths of the Gospel for fear of offending, and in our silence, the world has grown colder, more cynical, and more violent.
I call upon you, the faithful, to end this silence! You are the laity, the vast majority of the Church, and you are on the front lines of the world—in your offices, your schools, your governments, and your families. I call you to be a new generation of missionaries, not necessarily to distant lands, but to the deserts of modern society. Engage in politics with a Catholic conscience. Inform your work with Catholic social teaching. Let your business practices reflect Catholic ethics. Evangelize the culture by the irresistible witness of your integrity, your charity, and your joy. Rebuild the Church’s credibility not with words alone, but with the undeniable power of your holy lives.
For we must understand the gravity of this moment. This is not a game. The path we are on, a path of indifference, of quietism, of allowing evil to flourish by our inaction, leads to a dire and apocalyptic end. A world that systematically desecrates human dignity, that permits the persecution of the innocent to go unanswered, that abandons its children to hunger and war, is a world building its own tomb. It is a world choosing chaos over communion, hatred over love, and ultimately, death over life. If we do not contribute to a better world, if we do not become the "good men" through whom Christ solves these problems, then we should not be surprised by the darkness that will surely follow. We will have chosen it.
But this is not our destiny! We are an Easter people, and "Alleluia" is our song! We are not called to be prophets of doom, but architects of hope. Envision with me, through the power of Christ, the world we are called to build: a world where children go to school in safety and peace, where every person is revered as a masterpiece of God’s creation, where no mother fears for her child’s next meal. This is the Kingdom of God, and it is within our grasp if we have the faith to reach for it.
Let the heroic witness of saints like Andrew Dung-Lac and his companions, who offered their very lives for this faith, ignite a fire within us. They did not remain silent. They did not play it safe. They loved Christ to the end. Let us go forth from this place and do the same. Let us be the answer to the world’s pain. Let us be the living Church, a beacon of hope, a fortress of charity, and a tireless force for the global common good.
Amen.
What can we do?
When we see children being abducted from schools and people targeted for their beliefs, our first response might be feeling overwhelmed. But practical action begins with awareness. Make a conscious choice to learn about persecuted communities in our world. Follow credible international news sources to understand their struggles. Then, use your voice. Write to your political representatives, urging them to prioritize humanitarian aid and diplomatic pressure in regions of conflict. Support, either through volunteering or donations, organizations that are on the ground providing legal aid, education, and relocation assistance to victims of religious violence. In your own community, stand as a friend and ally to those of different faiths, creating a local environment of respect that counters the hatred seen abroad.
The horrific trade in human body parts treats people as objects, stripping them of all dignity. We can counter this by actively reaffirming the priceless value of every human life. Support organizations that work to dismantle human trafficking networks and provide rehabilitation for victims. Be a conscientious consumer; the products you buy should come from supply chains that are transparent and ethical, ensuring no human suffering was involved. In your daily interactions, make a point to treat everyone with profound respect, regardless of their status, background, or beliefs. Challenge language and jokes that demean or dehumanize others, reinforcing the principle that every person has inherent worth.
For those suffering in conflict zones, where even basic food and medicine are scarce, our help must be tangible. Research and donate to reputable aid agencies that have the logistical ability to deliver food, water, and medical supplies directly to these areas. Organize a drive within your community to collect funds or essential items for these organizations. Advocate for peaceful conflict resolution by supporting politicians and policies that prioritize diplomacy and humanitarian corridors. On a personal level, practice gratitude for your own security and sustenance, and let that gratitude fuel a generous spirit. Reduce waste in your own home, recognizing that the resources we take for granted are lifesaving commodities for others.
Each small, consistent act of awareness, advocacy, and generosity weaves a stronger fabric of compassion in our world. It is through these practical, daily choices that we build a counter-force to suffering and injustice.
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.