September 11, 2025
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” -Matthew 5:9
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Yesterday, activist Charlie Kirk was assassinated at Utah Valley University. Just hours later, a school shooting in Denver left a young man dead and several other students injured. These heartbreaking events, alongside countless others dominating our headlines, are a stark reminder of the dangerous climate gripping our nation.
To those feeling weary, burdened, or afraid: my heart breaks with yours, and know that there is hope. Jesus offers a peace that is unlike anything the world can give. He said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (John 14:27).
This peace is not passive – it is fierce, healing, and deeply personal. It reaches into the darkest corners of our lives and brings light. Jesus does not lead us into hatred, division, or harm. He calls us into love, mercy, and compassion in every part of our lives. “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you” (John 15:12).
If you’ve been wounded by messages that distort Jesus’ teachings or weaponize His name, know this: that is not of Him. Jesus is the embodiment of grace and truth. He invites you (us) – not with judgment or condemnation, but with open arms – to humbly walk in His ways and discover the hope that never fades.
To my fellow Christians: This is our moment. Be peacemakers. “Blessed are the peacemakers…” (Matthew 5:9). Let the liberating and healing love of Christ shrine brightly through our words, actions, and public witness.
To leaders in every sector and at every level – faith, education, business, government: in times like this your voice is not optional. Silence is not neutrality – it is complicity. You were entrusted with influence not for comfort, but for courage. Us it. Speak truth. Defend the vulnerable. Denounce evil, hate, and violence. Confront systems that perpetuate harm. Seek justice. Our decisions shape the moral fabric of our communities. Silence tears it apart. Let your platforms become pulpits of justice and your decisions and policies reflect compassion.
I cannot write a pastoral letter every time hatred, violence, or injustice erupts in our nation. If I did, heartbreakingly, it would become a daily ritual. But silence is not an option, and neither is despair. So instead, I invite you to join me in living hope – Christ’s hope – out loud. In our neighborhoods, our workplaces, and the public square, let us embody love, courage, and truth.
These are not days for the church to merely speak. These are days for the church to be seen – proclaiming the gospel with boldness, being Christ’s love in action, and standing shoulder to shoulder with our neighbors in every place. That is the path I choose. That is the witness I will bear.
May peace be our resistance.
May love be our legacy,
May Christ be our hope.
Never grow weary in doing good (Galatians 6:9).
Bishop Héctor A. Burgos-Núñez
Serving the Susquehanna & Upper New York Area
The United Methodist Church
