Guest Columnist – Tom Griffin, Pastoral Associate for Evangelization
These are uncertain times. Global fears are on the rise. The bombings between Iran and Israel continued over the weekend. The United States entered the fight by annihilating known nuclear sites in Iran. There are many opinions about whether or not the involvement of America is aiding peace or escalating war. Some claim the strikes were necessary to protect countries from nuclear bombings. Others state it has brought the world into the cusp of possible global war. Regardless of opinion, the fact is that there are major U.S. cities placing an increased police presence in order to protect themselves from retaliation. The world appears to be on heightened alert about what will come next.
On Sunday, Russia spoke in frightening terms in response to the U.S. airstrikes. – “The enrichment of nuclear material – and, now we can say it outright, the future production of nuclear weapons – will continue,” Dmitry Medvedev, now the deputy chairman of the Security Council of Russia said in a Sunday X post. “A number of countries are ready to directly supply Iran with their own nuclear warheads,” Medvedev also noted.
On Monday afternoon, President Trump announced that there would be a 12-hour ceasefire between the two countries. However, early on Tuesday morning, it is being reported that Israel claims that Iran broke the ceasefire. At the moment of this writing, it is still unclear how such claims will impact the ceasefire overall.
In the midst of all this news, Pope Leo XIV addressed the world in the Sunday Angelus address just hours after America executed airstrikes to Iran. He called for “diplomacy to silence the weapons” because “war does not solve problems…it amplifies them.”
These words should not be construed as words of a pacifist. The church does believe in defending oneself against unjust oppressors. It is also not the words of a naive churchman. If our faith is true, it must impact every aspect of our lives. If God is real, Jesus is God and Jesus defeated death itself, then how we carry ourselves and act in the world must be rooted in those truths.
Proving the Resurrection – Leaning into one’s faith during such times is not childish or silly. Leaning into faith during such times reminds us of what is most lasting, and it reminds us that we are in need of God for everything in life. It shows us that there is very little that we are in complete control of. Summing up words of faith in times of war as out of touch neglects to understand and admit the humble fact that we are mortal beings in need of a savior.
The fear of a large-scale war is rampant among Americans. News of nuclear capabilities is always scary. As we travel through such turbulent times, the most important question (whether the ceasefire leads to a peace agreement or not) remains the same: where does true peace come from? What do we do with our fear and how do we carry on into the unknown?
We don’t have control over what the future holds. We don’t know what will happen today or tomorrow. That is true when war is imminent and possible when it is not. This truth reveals that the only One in control is God. True and lasting peace only comes from faith because this world is broken and fleeting. This truth can be viewed by looking at the rich person who is restless or the famous person who is unfulfilled.
In order to be filled and to obtain lasting peace, we must cling to prayer. Not because we desire to wish away war as if our words of prayer to God were magic. We don’t pray to convince God to change His mind about allowing war. We pray because we know that we need to be close to the God of love who is present with us inside of any trial.
Pope Leo XIV’s first words after being elected were, “Peace be with you!” These were providential words. Jesus spoke these words to his disciples in the upper room because they were scared. They missed him and they didn’t know what the future held. Jesus came to them, bearing his wounds, to reveal to them that there is no future hurt or tragedy that could ever separate them from him.
Keeping Summer Spiritual Routines – As we might be fearful of the future and wondering where God is in all of this, we, too, must peer at the wounds of Christ. They showcase the tragedy of the human condition. They highlight that sin is real – that pain is real – that suffering impacts all of us. Jesus’ wounds show the world that human beings are capable of killing others instead of seeing the other as unrepeatable and irreplaceable. They also implore us to trust that God is faithful and that He can redeem any circumstance.
Jesus sees our current global situation. It does not scare him. Christ sees your fear about what will happen. He knows what you are thinking and what keeps you up at night. Whether it is the concern for world peace, the illness of a loved one, your financial situation, or any other anxiety – he sees you. The answer to your healing is found in his wounds – because his wounds show his victory over it all.
So, if you are afraid, like so many are: seek out the divine healer. Cling to daily prayer as the source of your peace. Because it is being with God, speaking to Him, and listening to Him which is the only antidote to journeying through a tumultuous life. Whether the world is close to war or not, our fragile state remains the same.
We need daily contact with the living God, nothing is more true than that.
Peace,
