The Christian Church especially in America has been reeling the last couple of weeks, crying out with David in Ps. 13: “How long will our enemy be exalted over us?”. The infamous attacks against Christ’s lambs at Annunciation Church in Minnesota and the assassination of the professing Christian, Charlie Kirk, are among the many that are happening throughout the world. These assaults by the powers of darkness are nothing new but have been happening just as our Lord forewarned. These most recent crimes have occurred at the time we also observed the 24th anniversary of the 9/11 religious war perpetrated by those associated with a death cult which despises Christ and His Church.
The demonization of those with whom we disagree in our culture today has become all too frequent and appears to be increasing. As Christians we follow our Lord’s example and words, so that we do not hate our enemies but pray for them. Jesus sacrificed Himself for all people and we desire them to know the true everlasting peace He has secured for us by His suffering, death, and resurrection.
Mr. Kirk was an outspoken confessor of our Savior Jesus Christ and his faith was reflected in his many vocations: husband, father, political influencer, etc. What especially marked him as a Christian political debater was that he more often than not treated his opponents with respect and love. Along with him, we consider many of those who opposed his viewpoints to be loyal patriotic citizens of our country who thought their opinions were seeking the best for our land.
So, while we applaud Mr. Kirk’s bold defense in regard to moral issues that our Lord has clearly taught us, such as abortion and transgenderism, we do not pick a “side” in the realm of secular politics. We also recognize that those who politically have opposed many of Kirk’s opinions are likely also Christians. They, too, champion causes they believe fit with Jesus’ teachings, like care for the homeless and welcoming of strangers.
There have also been evil attacks upon the lives of those who represent the “other side” of Kirk’s opinions. All such assaults represent Satan’s desire that we view our struggles in this life against flesh and blood instead of him and his powers of darkness. Any such violent criminal acts supposedly committed in the name of Christ are reprehensible, since they are contrary to His teachings. Jesus offers life, never death and those who follow Him are called to love neighbor, all neighbors, even those who are hateful enemies of Christ and His Church.
However, we desire our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ not to sorrow to the point of despair. Consider the words of our Lord on the night He was betrayed into the hands of His executioners:
[Jesus said:] “These things I have spoken to you, that you should not be made to stumble. They will put you out of the synagogues; yes, the time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers God service. And these things they will do to you because they have not known the Father nor Me. But these things I have told you, that when the time comes, you may remember that I told you of them. (St. John 16:1-4)
[Again Jesus said:] “Most assuredly, I say to you that you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice; and you will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will be turned into joy… Therefore you now have sorrow; but I will see you again and your heart will rejoice, and your joy no one will take from you.” (vv. 20 & 22)
[Jesus concluded this section by 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.” (v. 33)
It is difficult to be of good cheer when evil becomes so pronounced around us. However, trusting in Jesus who has overcome this corrupt world for us, we do have hope. We encourage one another as we see the day of Christ’s return fast approaching, when we will be delivered from this world of sin and death forevermore. Come, Lord Jesus, come quickly!
In the meantime, as Christ’s Church, we continue to confess the good news that He has saved us all. Through our many vocations we pray we will always be bold in declaring that truth to a hurting and dying world, even in the face of their hateful threats.
Remember how our Lord, when in the midst of winning our salvation upon the cross, prayed for those who yelled “Crucify Him, crucify Him!”. Jesus implored the Father to forgive them, for they knew not what they were doing. About fifty days later, on the feast of Pentecost, many of those same enemies were willingly and joyfully baptized in Jesus’ name. Forgiveness was granted and received with relief, everlasting relief.
Jesus desires that His Church remain in the world to proclaim this saving truth. So again, on the night He was betrayed:
[Jesus prayed:] But now I come to You, [Father], and these things I speak in the world, that they, [the Church], may have My joy fulfilled in themselves. I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also may be sanctified by the truth. (St. John 17: 13-19)
While we are often filled with sorrow, our Lord gives us hope and joy in the midst of them. So it was for David, in the midst of his own sorrow, crying out “How long, O Lord?” He, for the sake of Christ, would conclude his psalm by confessing:
But I have trusted in Your mercy;
My heart shall rejoice in Your salvation.
I will sing to the Lord,
Because He has dealt bountifully with me. (Ps. 13:5&6)