On the 1st day of the Decade of Mission days, let us reflect on God’s love that gives joy.

A reading of the Holy Gospel according to St. John 14, 1-11

“Let not your hearts be troubled; believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And when I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. And you know the way where I am going.” Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going; how can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but by me. If you had known me, you would have known my Father also; henceforth you know him and have seen him.” Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and we shall be satisfied.” Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and yet you do not know me, Philip? He who has seen me has seen the Father; how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority; but the Father who dwells in me does his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father in me; or else believe me for the sake of the works themselves.

The eternal Creator, the God of peace and goodness, shares his incomprehensible power with the whole world and creates with his sons and daughters those whom the Son of God calls “peacemakers” (Mt 5: 9). He provides protection for his loyal soldiers, who risked their lives to defend their people. God is for each of them a force and power, a faithful support in the moment of trials and a bright horizon in the twilight of threats.

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As in David’s battle with Goliath, He crowns the efforts of our warriors with the victory of good over evil, truth over lies, justice over wrong. Warriors stop evil on themselves. The merciful Lord lifts every warrior who stumbles; finds everyone who gets lost; cheers everyone who is wounded in the heart; and at the end of the world, he gives resurrection to all those who fell for his brothers and sisters. Therefore, we will not perish, but we will win, because the Lord himself is a reliable support for the Ukrainian army and people – his shield and his hope.

Let us pray for all defenders – soldiers and for God’s care over them:

Our Father…

Rejoice Mother of God…

Glory be to the Father…