As we celebrate this Mass for the Preservation of Peace and Justice, I am so grateful for the presence of leaders throughout our diocese, including those from the black community, and for the presence of all those here in the cathedral and those participating via livestream. Our gathering reflects our firm belief that it is the Lord and his Spirit who will heal and unite us as the Body of Christ, and who will renew the face of the earth.
Today marks two weeks since the brutal and incomprehensible death of Mr. George Floyd. At this Mass, we offer our prayers for Mr. Floyd, his family and all who grieve his death. We also pray for justice in our world reflected in our absolute expectation that law enforcement officials never abuse their authority with excessive, unacceptable and cruel force. We pray for the eradication in our nation of racism, injustice and all evil actions that fail to revere the sacredness and dignity of each and every person.
As we pray for the preservation of peace and justice in our nation, we know the Lord who hears our prayers also calls us to action.
Thus, gathered as a community, we must first confess to God the things we have said or done to contribute to any form of racism and discrimination and/or for the times we did nothing to prevent them. Confessing before the community helps us to seek healing for the pain we may have caused others, our brothers and sisters in Christ.
In these unsettling times, we rightly condemn outrage that turns to further violence, destroying property and hurting others. We pray that those with unheard hurts and unhealed wounds will turn instead to God, who leads us to the path of non-violence and peace, so that we may live together in harmony as members of God’s holy family.
Yes, God calls us to action! So, now more than ever, we must bring our faith into the public arena and allow the Lord to use our voice as we advocate strongly for a more just society. We ask God to send us his Holy Spirit for the courage and fortitude we need to be his faithful witnesses even when it means we must suffer or be rejected by others for defending all that is holy, right and just.
God has always called us to act with justice and peace toward all people. In this Mass, he says to us, “Put on love. Let the peace of Christ control your hearts.” Only then can we sing confidently, “Justice will flourish in his time, and fullness of peace forever.”
As we soon receive the Holy Eucharist, the source of our unity, we pray that the grace received may be fruitful so that God can work through us to eradicate evil and preserve true peace and justice. For as our Savior promises, “Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied. … Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.”
May God bless us and our nation and watch over us now and always. Amen.
