Justifying the Sacrifice of the Innocent

"My children! You are making martyrs!
The mercy you have failed to show others will be the standard
by which your enemies will withhold mercy from you!
The justification you gave for sacrificing innocent lives
will be the same justification that your enemies use
when they sacrifice the lives of the innocent among you!

"My people, I called you:

'to loose the chains of injustice
and untie the cords of the yoke,
to set the oppressed free and break every yoke;
to share your food with the hungry
and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter;
when you see the naked, to clothe him,
and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood;
to do away with the yoke of oppression,
with the pointing finger and malicious talk;
to spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry
and satisfy the needs of the oppressed.'

"I have called you to sacrifice yourselves,
not to sacrifice the lives of your enemies!
I have called you to bless those who curse you
and to pray for those who mistreat you,
to love your enemies as I loved you
and laid down My life for you
while you were still My enemies.

"But if you compromise My love in order to justify
your nation, your politics and your wars,
your enemies will retaliate with the same cold love.
If you strike with the sword today in My name
—the sword of justifying your violence—
you will ensure the suffering of the innocent among you.

"They will be innocent in My sight and I will save them.
But you who have ignored My commands to justify your violence
will have chosen your own 'justification' instead of Mine.

"The hour grows late!
Set aside your pride and repent!
Come out of spiritual Babylon, My people in America,
for your house will be left desolate!
Do not lay down your lives justifying your nation
but be martyrs for My testimony alone,
and for sharing love I gave you in the Cross."

*****

Art & article: Reaping Nagasaki