First-century Christians and many of us today struggle – and rightfully so –when others seemingly deny their humanity by treating others inhumanely. The slaughtering of the innocents shortly after the birth of Christ, His torturing and crucifixion, the genuinely brutal and cruel treatment of early Christians at the hands of unbelievers, and the atrocities that continue to be committed by perverse and depraved individuals simply trouble our souls. When we add to this the further breakdown and lawlessness of society, its perversity, and the utter confusion of humanity between what is right and wrong, or to put it more plainly, what is Godly and what is evil, it’s an exceptionally challenging season in which to be a Christian.
I share these thoughts as I attempt to make sense of the atrocities committed by terrorists against noncombatants, specifically innocent men, women, and children, in Israel this weekend. The death toll for Israel is far greater in number per capita than what we experienced on 9/11. As one writer calculated, it would equate to over 24,000 Americans losing their lives on that September day. It's too many, whether 900 or 3,000 people, respectively.
It’s never simply “their” problem or misfortune. If we’re being honest, individuals treat others inhumanely on every continent. And, lest we forget, we live in a state that is becoming all the more plagued by poverty, crime, drug addiction, and depravity. Our region is also a center of human trafficking.
Be assured that until the Lord returns in glory, individuals and their nations will continue to war against or exploit others. It’s an unfortunate reality that we must address. Complacency is never an option; neither are passion-induced responses rooted in anger or aggression. If we cease to love God and love our enemies, blindly follow clerics who have ceased to preach the Gospel, calling no one to repentance, or subscribe to modern legalism that strains out a gnat yet swallows a camel, making salvation accessible only to their chosen few, we are left with few Godly responses to the plight of others, both the victims and the aggressors. Again, if we’re being honest:
Their pain must be my pain.
Their sin must be accepted as less than the gravity of my sin.
We must choose to remain obedient to Jesus Christ and His Church. As a Eucharistic assembly, we gather in the Spirit of Truth to receive the Incarnate Truth to then proclaim Truth, even to those held captive by sin. Humble ourselves, confess our sins, and embrace a posture of repentance when we sin before God and others. Do not wish greater evils to befall those taken in iniquity. If God wills that “all be saved and come to the knowledge of truth,” then we must pray that hearts soften, that there is repentance, and that God is merciful even as temporal justice is served. Faithfully read the Scriptures, looking for answers by which to live. It’s never enough to merely preach. Fervently petition the Mother of God and the Saints to intercede, knowing they’ve fought the good fight and stand victorious before the Lord. Hope that even while suffering, God’s will (salvation for His children) is being worked out in the lives of His faithful. And, trust that the Lord remains near those who suffer or whose lives are taken unjustly.
In 2022, Patriarch Daniel of Romania composed a beautiful prayer with which I close. I also invite you to add it to your devotion:
Lord Jesus Christ, our God, who art the Source of life and peace in heaven and on earth, pour out the grace of your peace on a world troubled by war and hatred.
Extinguish the differences and enmity between humans and pour into the hearts of all humility, peace, and goodness. Calm the warriors and give them wisdom.
Give help to the suffering, protection to the refugees or homeless, comfort to the alienated and sorrowful, and give us all the will and strength to help, with all our hearts, our brothers and sisters who suffer from war.
You said: Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Teach us to seek to acquire peace of heart and peace among men and peoples, for, in the heart in which peace is found, there is no longer enmity, love of dominion or fear, but the consolation of the Holy Spirit, love of God and love of our neighbors.
For this we humbly pray to You, O Christ our God, for peace among men in every country, for peace among peoples, and for the welfare of the whole world, that we may live in harmony and may work without hindrance deeds pleasing to You, glorifying the philanthropic love of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
