This past Monday, Monsignor José Nácher, who courageously co-lead the Prayer Walk for Peace and Democracy earlier this fall, joined us during our weekly ASJ devotional. He encouraged us to be Artisans of Fraternity and Guardians of Hope. In light of the uncertainty that Hondurans are facing with elections coming up this same week, our team resonated deeply with Monsignor’s words.

Despite the reality of fear and uneasiness, Monsignor inspired us to awaken our hearts with conviction. He stated, “There is hope, and this hope drives us toward reconciliation and fraternity”.  This is not superficial optimism, but a deep certainty that Honduras can be reborn through faith, love, and cooperation among its children.

Artisans of fraternity: relationships that build a country

Monsignor explained that to be “artisans of fraternity” is to commit ourselves to the patient, careful, and constant task of building authentic human relationships. The sermon reminded us that:

• Humans are beings in relationship.
• Without relationship, there is no community, no identity, no spiritual life.
• Fraternity is at the heart of the Gospel: working for peace, loving fraternally, giving preference to others with honor.

Like artisans who shape their work with their hands, fraternity is not mass-produced or rushed. It is made with love, detail, and dedication. Every gesture of justice, respect, and solidarity is a unique piece that builds a more just society.

Guardians of hope: protecting what sustains

The second invitation from Monsignor José was to be guardians of hope. To guard means to keep, protect, and cultivate. In a country where so often attempts are made to sow discouragement and division, guarding hope is an act of spiritual, moral, and civic resistance.

Monsignor emphasized, “Elections cannot be stolen without first stealing the hope of the people. And Honduras has not lost hope.” That is our greatest strength.

Prayer that sustains a people

Finally, Monsignor also reminded us that as we hope and work, we also pray. Not as an escape, but as the deepest way to strengthen hope. Prayer sustains Honduras, awakens our hearts, and impels us to act with righteousness, justice, and love.

Our devotional time ended with a time of collective prayer. We would love you to join us in this prayer too:

PRAYER FOR HONDURAS

Lord God, of history and of life,

at this crucial time

We lift up our prayer to you for Honduras.

Look kindly upon this people who long for peace and

help us to understand that true peace

can only come from justice.

Give us a heart like yours,

so that we may recognize each other as brothers and sisters,

beyond differences of any kind,

because what unites us is greater.

Help us to banish corruption, violence, and indifference,

so that love, unity, and service may flourish in our land.

Enlighten, Lord, those who govern

and those who aspire to do so,

and may we all work each day

for the common good.

Make us artisans of fraternity

and guardians of hope

so that together we may advance

towards a reconciled Honduras

where your Son Jesus Christ

reigns with his peace and goodness.

Amen.

PRAYER FOR ELECTION OBSERVERS

Lord God of justice and peace,

You who see into the heart of every person

and love your people with tenderness and faithfulness,

We pray for all the election observers in our nation.

Grant them wisdom to discern with righteousness,

courage to speak the truth,

and serenity to act with impartiality.

May their presence at each polling station and in each community

be a sign of hope,

a guarantee of transparency,

and a testimony that it is still possible to build together

a homeland founded on honesty, respect, and brotherly love.

Lord, bless Honduras at this decisive time:

may no one manipulate the will of the people,

may truth prevail over deception

and the common good over personal interests.

May the Holy Spirit enlighten all who participate in this process,

so that our elections may be a step toward unity, justice, and peace.

We ask this of you, good Father,

through Christ, our Lord.

Amen.