‘DO NOT LET YOUR HEARTS BE TROUBLED’

Bishop Mark’s homily for the law enforcement Memorial Mass

Police officers attend the funeral of New York City police officer Jonathan Diller at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Massapequa Park, N.Y., March 30, 2024. Diller, 31, a three-year veteran of the NYPD on the specialized Community Response Team was shot and killed March 25 during traffic stop. He leaves behind his wife, Stephenie, 29, and son Ryan, age 1. (OSV News photo/Eduardo Munoz, Reuters) (Courtesy photo of Eduardo Munoz)

Bishop Mark O’Connell delivered this homily for the 39th Annual Memorial Mass for Deceased Members of the Law Enforcement Community on May 5 at Historic St. Mary’s Church on Capitol Hill in Albany.

John 14:1-6: Do not let your hearts be troubled. Have faith in God; have faith also in me.

No one knows the meaning of these words better than our police officers 

Do not let your hearts be troubled. Have faith.

Today we honor those who have gone before you — those who gave their lives in the line of duty. As the 1,964 names engraved on the New York State Police Officers Memorial wall attest, their sacrifice is real and lasting. We also honor the countless others who served faithfully until retirement, carrying the physical and emotional wounds and scars for the rest of their lives. And today we honor you — who continue to answer the call to service.

Do not let your hearts be troubled. Have faith.

How can anyone see what you see — the brokenness, the violence, the suffering, the seamy underside of life — and not have a troubled heart? How does one keep faith amid such things?

Yet what else can truly sustain you, if not faith? For having faith in God has never meant that our lives will be easy or protected from tragedy. When we conform ourselves to the saving mission of Jesus, we become Christ-like in a particular way — by going where others dare not go, even at the risk of our own lives.

God sent His only Son, Jesus, who touched lepers, demoniacs, the lame, and the grieving. Our Lord wept at the tomb of His friend Lazarus. He was whipped, mocked, tortured and nailed to a cross. He died — and rose again — still bearing His wounds. In our own suffering, whether physical or spiritual, we are drawn closer to God. There is redemptive power in it. So while we do not seek suffering, when it comes we can recognize that it can unite us more deeply to Christ. Those who have fallen have encountered Jesus in an even closer, more redemptive way.

In His Father’s house there are many dwelling places. Christ has prepared a place for every faithful servant.

Do not let your hearts be troubled. Have faith.

It is when we turn inward, when we try to be our own source of strength and peace, when we forget that Jesus walks the hard road with us, that fear and trouble take hold.

Most people in this world see only one side of life. You see the other side — sometimes every single day. You stand with us in our darkest moments. Today we thank you, we honor you, and we pray for you.

And I humbly remind you, brothers and sisters in blue:

Do not let your hearts be troubled. Have faith.

Jesus is the Way. He is the Truth. He is the Life. And no one comes to the Father except through Him. Walk with Him. Trust in Him. He has overcome the world — and He will never abandon those who serve it with courage and love.