St. Paul-Minneapolis Archbishop Bernard Hebda doesn't need anyone to tell him that many people are watching the Twin Cities as the Derek Chauvin trial reaches a conclusion.
"People have been calling and texting me from around the globe to promise their prayers at this difficult time," Hebda told a larger-than-usual gathering at the Cathedral of St. Paul's Monday morning mass.
While expressing gratefulness for those prayers for during his homily, Hebda called on the faithful to add their prayers for peace and justice as well.
"It's the best possible response at this time," he said.
The archbishop noted that people may feel individually powerless against the lingering issues that have hung over the trial like a pall, issues old and new.
"We can't control what happens in the trial, we can't singlehandedly force healing to those who feel the wound of racism in our land, we can't bring George Floyd back to life, or Daunte Wright back to life," he said. "Does that mean that we do nothing? Absolutely not."
He turned to the New Testament lesson of feeding the masses with bread and fish as encouragement to work together for healing after the verdict is read.
"We each have to offer our five loaves and two fish, no matter how meager."