PRELIMNARY THOUGHTS ON THE BOMBING OF IRAN
As a disciple of Christ and a proud American who voted for Trump 3 times, always putting America first, I am course correcting myself. Initially I said, I don't fully trust Benjamin Netanyahu or Israel's heavy hand in pulling strings on our U.S. Presidents and geopolitics. But let's call it like it is: We just witnessed a game-changer. The U.S. and Israel launched precision strikes that toppled the Iranian regime and took out Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, that godlike figure to Shia Muslims who's been an evil dictator straight out of hell. This man ordered atrocities that cry out to heaven—let's not sugarcoat it.
Against Americans: Khamenei's regime plotted assassinations right here on U.S. soil, targeting folks like President Trump, former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, and Iranian-American journalist Masih Alinejad (they tried to kill her three times!). His proxies in Iraq and Syria killed hundreds of our troops through bombings and drone strikes, like the attacks on U.S. bases that left our soldiers dead or wounded.
Against Iranians: He crushed his own people with an iron fist. In the 2019 protests, his forces slaughtered over 1,500 innocents. In 2022, after Mahsa Amini's death for "improper hijab," hundreds more were gunned down, tortured, or hanged. Just this year, in the massive uprisings, thousands—Trump said 32,000—were massacred in the streets. Mass arrests, rape in prisons, executions for dissent—pure evil.
Against Israelis: Khamenei’s regime long funded and armed Hamas, Hezbollah, and other proxies, providing money, training, and weapons that helped sustain their operations; and publicly defended or praised Hamas’s October 7, 2023 terror attack that killed about 1,200 Israelis and took hundreds of hostages, even as Iran-backed groups later launched rocket and drone barrages that have kept the region on edge. Iran’s ability to bankroll these networks was bolstered when, under President Obama, sanctions relief and access to tens of billions in frozen assets (alongside a $1.7 billion settlement) restored huge liquidity, and when under President Biden about $6 billion of frozen funds was unfrozen in a prisoner exchange and additional sanctions waivers allowed billions more in restricted revenues; moves critics say increased Tehran’s capacity to support its “axis of resistance.”
Brothers and sisters, this tyrant held the Persian people hostage for decades under his twisted Islamic Republic. He twisted their ancient culture, changing the flag in '79, enforcing Arabic-influenced Shia laws, and stamping out any trace of their pre-Islamic roots as Zoroastrians and early Christians. But look at the fruit: Iranians are exploding in joy! Social media's flooded with videos of celebrations across Tehran, Karaj, Isfahan: dancing in the streets, fireworks blasting, statues toppled, folks, chanting "freedom, freedom!" Even Iranians abroad in L.A., Berlin, and London are rejoicing. They feel liberated from this Arab Muslim overlord who hijacked their Persian nation. Praise God, it's like the fall of the Berlin Wall for them!
Now, I ain't blind to the risks. I don't love Israel's sway over our policies, but this strike? It's a justified act of war, a net positive for the Iranian people and the world. No drawn-out mess like Bush's Iraq quagmire: this was surgical, no boots on the ground, saving countless lives. Much like David slinging that stone at Goliath (1 Samuel 17), taking out the giant with precision and sparing the armies from slaughter.
But here's the Catholic truth bomb: God is sovereign! Even in this chaos, His divine providence is at work. As the Catechism says, "for the sake of accomplishing his plan of salvation, God permitted the acts that flowed from their blindness" (CCC 600). He can use two flawed men like Trump and Netanyahu to bring about good. We sometimes scratch our heads, wondering how God stays in control amid evil and suffering. But Scripture assures us: "The Lord has made everything for its purpose, even the wicked for the day of trouble" (Proverbs 16:4). His plans blow our minds, turning ashes to beauty (Isaiah 61:3). We can rest in that peace beyond understanding (Philippians 4:7), knowing the Iranians are free from this butcher, and Trump ain't dragging us into endless war.
Let's storm heaven with prayer: For Iran to rise with a government that truly serves the people, not another dictatorship. Pray for Prime Minister Netanyahu: that he may encounter Jesus Christ personally, seek truth with humility, and be drawn ever closer to the fullness of God’s revelation. And keep lifting President Trump in prayer, he has opened his heart to Christ. He's halfway home, married to a Catholic, with 40% of his cabinet practicing Catholics. Holy Spirit, draw him into the Bride of Christ, the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church!
Psalm 33:12 nails it: "Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord." Let's make America great again by getting holier this Lent, prayerful, and boldly practicing your Catholic faith in this land God blessed us with. No compromise; arm up spiritually, confess your sins, receive the Holy Eucharist often, and fight the good fight! Our Lady of Victory, crush the serpent under your heel! St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle! Viva Cristo Rey!