[Jesus said:] “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also. But all these things they will do to you for My name’s sake, because they do not know Him who sent Me. If I had not come and spoken to them, they would have no sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin. He who hates Me hates My Father also. If I had not done among them the works which no one else did, they would have no sin; but now they have seen and also hated both Me and My Father. But this happened that the word might be fulfilled which is written in their law, ‘They hated Me without a cause.’” (John 15: 18-25)
[Jesus continued saying:] “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (John 16: 33)
[Jesus also said:] “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you,” (Mt. 5: 43-44)
Gracious God, heavenly Father, You know the shock and sorrow that the horrific murders and casualties at Annunciation Catholic Church have spread across our land. Keep especially those severely affected by this crime from despair, sustain and comfort them. Direct all efforts to attend the injured spiritually, physically, mentally and emotionally. Console the bereaved. We are helpless before the powers of darkness that afflicts Your Church by their hateful diabolical attacks against Your Son, our Savior and therefore cry out to You for comfort, shelter and protection. Mercifully embrace the frightened in Your love, empower the weak with Your strength, restrain the wicked by Your might, and preserve the righteous in Your grace, giving us Your peace. Turn this wicked assault upon Christ and His Church into a renewed effort by those in authority to discover and enact ways to prevent such future assaults against the innocent. We ask all these things according to Your gracious will as we have come to know it in Jesus Christ, our Savior. Amen.