These are the days of Islamic insurgencies where Sharia law and Islamic states are imposed by lethal means and brute force, where Christians are persecuted not for their wrongdoing but simply for being Christian.

These are the days where a good part of our news is dominated by terror, fear and people in flight from Jehadists imposing their beliefs and ways, backed with weapons in the name of Allah.

How beautiful are Christ’s ways in all this turmoil.

Christ did not kill to lead us to a better life (and after life) but rather He died Himself for us. Christ did no harm to the body to get to the sin but He removed the sin to get a better person and cherish the body which His Father created. Christ did not reign in terror and destruction but in love, making us brothers and sisters and co-creators with Him of this beautiful earth. Christ did not remove our freedom but He gave it to us. Christ did not blow us to smithereens to lead us to a better life. He did not mutilate our genitalia but He touched our hearts with compassion, forgiveness and joy while leading us to the Father.

Let us cherish, be vigilant and appreciative of the wealth of social and personal ways that He brought to us. Especially let us not forget even one of our fellow members in our 2.3 billion Catholic and Christian family who are bearing the brunt of it.