In his hatred and pride, the devil stomped on the fire that was the Annunciation Catholic school Mass of Wednesday, August 27, 2025. He put it out, causing great suffering in doing so. Yet, the sparks from that flame as it was extinguished started other fires—prayer services, Masses, and Holy Hours. A myriad of other fires leaped up, including all the flames springing up in the hearts of individuals and in their homes. The devil does not win. The victory does not go to him. We are more than conquerors through our Lord and Savior and share in His ultimate victory.
The devil is capable of causing us pain. He can and does act against us in this world. But he cannot dictate what we do with that pain, nor how we respond to loss. In these moments, we can “look to Jesus . . . who for the joy that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God” (Heb. 12:2). We can cling to Love and despise the offerings of revenge, hatred, resentment, and disbelief proffered to us by the evil one who caused the pain.
I know for so many, it is difficult to even take the next step, to face the next moment, not only due to this tragedy, but from all the suffering and brokenness in this world. Know that you are not alone. Not only is there a loving God who never leaves your side, but there is a community He left here on Earth, the Catholic Church, that is with you. She has been granted the gift of helping to carry your pain. She intercedes for you with Almighty God, lifting you up in prayer. You are not alone. If you are too weary and hurt to fight, rest in His arms. Ask that He hold you like an infant, taking all your cares upon Himself, so you can empty your mind and rest. You are not alone.
We, as Christians, are blessed to be so close to Jesus, to know our Hope, to have our faith and community. To injure one in the Mystical Body causes unimaginable pain both in the lives of those directly affected and throughout Christ’s whole body. Yet we will not die. These injuries will not kill the Body if it clings to the Head. But what a great sorrow that there are those out there so hurt and crippled by evil and the world that they can even conceive of such acts. We cannot answer for their individual choices—we are all free to say yes or no—but how can we fight to deter other souls from losing themselves?
Amidst the horror of that morning that left us gasping and in pain, there is another great tragedy: the shooter. As Jesus in the tabernacle witnessed the bloodshed unfold, I imagine His anguish as He watched His beloved child, the one He lovingly created and died to save, turn away from Him so completely, carrying out such a horrific act.
My teenage stepdaughter was at her school less than a mile away at the time of the shooting. The school she attends is rife with “liberal” thought. If someone identifies as a cat, you refer to them as a cat. If you use the wrong pronouns for someone, you earn detention. Children are encouraged to attend clubs to explore becoming transgender. Sex, drugs, and violence abound. My heart breaks for these souls.
It has taken me nearly forty years in the embrace of the Catholic Church to truly turn to Jesus and open my heart and life to Him. Let us not leave these vulnerable souls alone in their fight! Some of us may be called to take action in the world in political or social ways. We are all called to pray, fast, and give alms. As we remember those affected by the violence perpetrated during a Catholic school Mass in our prayers, let us also lift up all those who are so lost and being led farther astray. Let us pray for God’s lost sheep in a special way, that they may listen to His voice as He calls to them and leads them home to Himself.
Let us also listen for God’s voice as He speaks to us, and order our lives according to His will. We are the salt of the Earth, the light of the world. This is a stark reminder that the world desperately needs us. Not as complacent Christians, but as warriors. Warriors whose greatest battles are inside, but whose victories can spread like fire throughout the world.
Photo by Grant Whitty on Unsplash
