Almighty and Ever-Merciful Lord, I praise
You for providing mankind with a beautiful home and the capacity to make it a
better place than before. I praise You for giving us faculties for reason and
religion; and with them, the pursuit for truth and justice. It is with great
sorrow, that this wonderful world and its prosperous people have been corrupted
with evil. As it was at the birth of Your Church, Lord, those who do not know
of Your love are persecuting those whom You have called to your service. Innocent
Christians of all ages are having their bodies desecrated in the name of power,
disguised as religious motivation. Innocent, peaceful Muslims are also being
attacked by heartbroken Christians who lack the wisdom to discern that Muslim
extremists are people corrupted by sin, not motivated by faith.
Lord, please, welcome into Your House the
people who have died at the hands of so-called jihadists. As you have done for
St. Sebastian, St. Agnes, St. Ignatius of Antioch, St. Stephen, St. Lorenzo
Ruiz, St. Pedro Calungsod, and the newly canonized martyrs of Korea, please,
welcome the fallen victims of terrorism into your arms and let them sing of
Your glory with your angels and saints forever. Let them enjoy Your everlasting
grace in Your presence where there is no more pain or hunger or sickness or
hatred; where they only cry for joy.
For us who seek peace in the land of the
living, let us be governed by Your wisdom and love. Let us not be swayed by
vengeful anger but be driven by the pursuit of justice and mercy.
And for those who continue to challenge You
by slaying Christians, Lord, it is clear that in creating them in their mothers’
wombs, You have kindled in them the burning desire for worship. The Evil One
has replaced their fire with the poisonous smoke of violence. Touch them, O
Lord. Do not forsake them. Save them from the fires of Hell. Born from the seed
of Ishmael whom You have delivered from the desert, deliver them from the Evil
One that pollutes their hearts. Born of Ishmael who was born from Abraham, they
are Your children, Lord.
Restore us into unity. We are united in
You. Let us all be an instrument of Your peace. Amen.
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