# Love wins over hate every time
*2018-10-28*

> Bill Young reflects on recent acts of hate, argues that true victory comes from God’s love and prayer, and offers a special prayer to St. Michael for the victims and for protection.

## Recent Tragedies

In the past 72 hours we have seen horrific acts of hate. In Louisville, Kentucky, a white supremacist entered a Black Baptist church, found the doors locked, and still managed to kill two people. In Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, a gunman entered a synagogue and murdered eleven members of the Jewish community. Earlier this year a bomb-maker targeting Democratic and left‑wing figures was arrested in Plantation, Florida, after the FBI and Secret Service uncovered his devices. These events remind us that hate persists, but they also call us to pray for the souls of the victims and for the conversion of those who perpetrate such evil.

## Why Guns Alone Won’t End Hate

Some suggest that banning firearms would eliminate violence, but history shows that even places with strict gun laws, such as Chicago, still experience high murder rates. Evil finds other means—bombs, arson, knives—to spread hatred. The root of hate is not merely a weapon but the influence of Satan, the “leader of hate.” Therefore, while security measures like locked doors and armed guards can protect churches and schools, they cannot eradicate the underlying spiritual battle.

## The Role of Prayer and Love

Prayer is not a passive alternative to action; it is a powerful weapon against evil. Love—love of God, love of neighbor, love expressed through prayer—stands against the forces of darkness. As Catholics, we are called to respond to hatred with the love of Christ, trusting that God ultimately defeats Satan. This conviction leads us to invoke the intercession of St. Michael the Archangel, who battles the devil on our behalf.

## A Prayer to St. Michael

St. Michael, the Archangel, defend us in battle; be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God grant us the strength to resist evil, and may the Prince of the Heavenly Host, by the power of God, cast out Satan and all other evil spirits that prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.

*Even in a world plagued by hate, love—rooted in prayer and the protection of St. Michael—remains our sure hope for victory.*