Yesterday there was a terrorist attack in Canada’s capital city, Ottawa. A soldier, Cpl. Nathan Cirillo was standing as a ceremonial guard at Canada’s National War Memorial when he was brutally shot and killed in cold blood by a man with a rifle. Then shots were heard inside the parliament building as members of parliament, staff and civilians ran for cover. Through the grace of God so many lives were spared, but sadly Nathan did not survive. The gunman was also killed.

This attack occurred only days after another Canadian soldier Warrant Officer Patrice Vincent was also killed by a suspected terrorist.

I grieve today for people all over the world who have been insured or killed through acts of terrorism and violence.

I invite you to enter into a deep, prayerful reflection that considers: “How do we as people of God make the world safer?”

My heart hurts today not only for the victims of violence, but also for those who commit the violence believing they are somehow serving God, fulfilling a higher purpose. While Our Lord was on earth, He warned His apostles that “…the time is coming when anyone who kills you will think they are offering a service to God.” John 16:2

Let’s begin our reflection by entering into the Spirit of God.

We ask You Holy Lord to fill our hearts with Your Holy Spirit, please give us hearts of compassion; please give us the gifts of wisdom and understanding so that we may embrace Your Holy Will.

The Instructions of Jesus are Simple

Jesus gave us simple, powerful instructions. He said, “Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets.” Matthew 7:12

Consider for a moment that you are the mother or father, sister or brother of someone who thinks they are called to join a terrorist organization. You are a member of their family, what would you do? What would you want others to do?

The first truth we must embrace is we are one global family. If we are people of God we must understand that.

There is only one God and we are all His creatures.

We don’t all share the same religious views but we are all created by one God. So this hypothesis that I am encouraging you to consider is truth. The gunman who killed Nathan Cirillo yesterday was our brother. Cpl. Natan Cirillo was our brother. Why do brothers have to kill other brothers? It’s senseless!

So back to the original question: how do we make our world safer?

Some believe the answer is in military intervention. I have read that US military spending in Iraq and Afghanistan has now exceeded $1 Trillion and this investment continues to climb. With random acts of terrorism all over the world, do you believe that military and political intervention alone will make the world safer?

To make the world safer we need God’s intervention!

As disciples of Jesus we must pause and be sure we understand the instructions of Our Saviour: “But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5: 44-45

Listen to what God says:

“I will listen to what God the Lord says;

he promises peace to his people, his faithful servants—

but let them not turn to folly.

Surely his salvation is near those who fear him,

that his glory may dwell in our land.” Psalm 85: 8-9

“This is what the LORD says: Be fair-minded and just. Do what is right! Help those who have been robbed; rescue them from their oppressors. Quit your evil deeds! Do not mistreat foreigners, orphans, and widows. Stop murdering the innocent!” Jeremiah 22:3

Be wise and understand

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise.” Psalm 111:10

Do not be afraid of anyone but God!

“Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” Matthew 10:28

We will all be judged by God. “For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.” Ecclesiastes 12:14

Know this: God will avenge!

For we know him who said, “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” and again, “The Lord will judge his people.” Hebrews 10:30

Enlist in God’s army and Join the Peaceful Revolution in the Name of Jesus Christ!

We are disciples of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Our mission is peace; our law is love, our weapon is prayer and our leader is God. Everyday we call upon God’s mercy upon the whole world. We pray not only for ourselves and for our immediate families, but we pray for all souls, especially those who are most in need of God’s mercy and we do this everyday at a sacred time, 3pm.

Prayer at the Hour of Mercy (3pm) will change the world, one soul at a time

Three o’clock is the time Our Lord Jesus died on the Cross to save us from our sins.   Let not a single day go by without stopping, if but for a few moments at 3pm, to thank Jesus for dying for us. Jesus was martyred for our salvation! Enter into the saving grace of God at this sacred time and pray for peace. Pray that God will help all to understand that He wills for us to love one another, not kill!

Are you willing to join the Peaceful Revolution in the Name of Jesus Christ that prays for peace and for all to know God’s truth and God’s will?

If you are Christian know that this is your Baptismal calling. Remember the Lord Jesus said to His apostles:

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:20

Jesus taught us to love and to pray for those who persecute us. “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” John 13:34

Jesus taught us to repent of our sins: “But unless you repent, you too will all perish.” Luke 13:5

We are called as followers of Jesus Christ, to fight the “good fight”. If you underestimate the power of prayer, then you underestimate the power of God!

Trust in the Omnipotence of God

Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.” Mark 10:27

Synchronize your Watches and Be Ready to Pray Everyday at the Time Our Lord died for us

Put an alarm on your phone for 3pm in your local time zone. At that time know that you are standing in solidarity with Christians all over the world in a moment of solemn prayer, in remembrance of the martyrdom of Our Saviour Jesus Christ who died so we could live eternally in peace with God and one another in Paradise.

Jesus suffered so much for our salvation and many years ago He revealed to a saint by the name of Faustina Kowalska that He wanted to be remembered at the time He died for us, 3pm.

Jesus said, “At three o’clock, implore My mercy, especially for sinners; and, if only for a brief moment, immerse yourself in My Passion, particularly in My abandonment at the moment of agony. This is the hour of great mercy for the whole world. I will allow you to enter into My mortal sorrow. In this hour, I will refuse nothing to the soul that makes a request of Me in virtue of My Passion…immerse yourself in prayer there where you happen to be, if only for a very brief instant.”  Diary of St. Faustina 1320, 157

Imagine everyday Christians in their local time zones uniting in a powerful prayer for peace and God’s mercy. Imagine wave after wave of prayer rising up to God as Christians in their respective local time zones stop to honour the greatest sacrifice of all, the martyrdom of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Jesus died so that we could live to give Him glory with lives dedicated to serving and helping one another.

Let us pray for peace! We are God’s army! We hurt no one! We try to help everyone! We are powerful because God is powerful! God is GREAT and He will answer our prayers!  PRAY! PRAY! PRAY!

For more info please see: https://passionofchrist.ca/the-hour-of-mercy/