The news out of Paris gave me, and likely you, a rather ill feeling. It’s dread, it’s sadness, it’s anger, it’s a desire for revenge, it’s a feeling that there is nothing one can do so far from Paris and so far from being able to stop such an act.

I think it’s also the realization that despite the ongoing wars that have followed the first invasion of Iraq the forces of evil continue to have the ability to dominate the world scene.

Now don’t mistake my comment. When I say forces of evil I do not mean American or allies or Arab or Muslim. I do mean that the Prince of this world, the Father of all lies, the evil one (as Jesus called him) continues to breed hatred and violence in every corner of the world and almost every corner of every heart.

So what is the answer to all this despair and who can stop this tsunami of violence that continues to sweep around the world?

The answer strangely enough is Jesus – the one who can make hearts new, the one who came to begin a world wide renovation plan of His world, of His creation. What he needs is people who are willing to wage a war of love, to demonstrate that without sacrifice there is no future of peace, without a willingness to love those whose hearts are filled with hate, there is not chance of change.

So start with a prayer: Dear Lord, into the hearts of all who would do evil we pray you will pour the oil of your spirit and use your Church to speak truth and love wherever it is.