It is an opportunity to share Christ's teachings to our Muslim brothers while we question the murder of Bishop Padovese in Turkey. As we pray for the reposal of his soul, this martyred leader of the Catholic Church in Turkey is a shining example of the fearless stance a true Christian can offer, even his life, in the propagation of his faith. As St. John states in his letter to the Philippians, "For me, to live is Christ and to die is gain." Let not our emotions rule over us, rather, let Christ's words guide us in our actions and reactions or counteractions.
As we have seen in many Christian countries worldwide, there have been mosques built freely for Christians respect the freedom to exercise one's religion and in Christ's teachings, "love you neighbor as yourself." Is it not proper that Christianity, in the same way, be freely practiced in a Muslim country?
In 1 John 4:13-16, he proclaims through the divine guidance of the Holy Spirit who Christ Jesus is, “We know that we live in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in him and he in God. And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him.”
And in John 15:12, Jesus made clear his commandment of love, “… Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.”
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We pray that the death of Bishop Luigi Padovese further brings hope towards the freedom in the practice of religion in Muslim countries and that peace and unity reign around the world.
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