Blessed Are The Peacemakers

Blessed Are The Peace Makers
A Reflection for All Saints Day 2006
By Rev. Robert Johnnene OFA
www.missionstsergius.org
“Blessed are the peace makers for they shall be called children of God”, these words from the sermon on the Mount by Jesus Christ seem to be falling on deaf ears today. Everywhere we turn we are inundated with news of violence and war. Games designed for children promote violence and war.
Some of the most popular television programs have murder or sex as their base story line.
Even sadder than that is the fact that those voices that try to promote peaceful means of settling disputes on a national or local level are called unkind words or described as eternal optimists who are out of touch with reality. I know, because I have been labeled that many times.
My question is where are all the voices of those who call themselves followers of Jesus Christ?
If you are a follower of Christ, that means you accept His words and work hard at attempting to do as He directed.
On this feast celebrating the lives of those women and men who followed Christ’s teachings, many to the death of their earthly bodies, let us examine ourselves as to what we have done or are doing to preach PEACE.
Back in the times of another unpopular war in our nation a group known as “Hippies” went around shouting “Make Peace and love, not war” they were treated with scorn by many and labeled “Flower Children”. What we need to call to mind is that Jesus was also treated in the same way because He preached a way of life that was not the norm.
As followers of Christ we need to exert ourselves to follow His instructions as given on The Sermon On The Mount and work harder to bring about peace between all of God’s children.
Not only between nations, but religious denomination, neighbors, local governing officials and ALL of God’s children.
In recent weeks we have been bombarded with the nastiest of advertisements from all sides of the political arena in order to keep control of power. Where is it written in the teachings of Christ that power is what we should be seeking?
What we need to do as Christians is seek justice, peace, compassion, fairness, equality not power and profit and glory.
As Christians, the glory we should be seeking is the Glory of God.
Just as the Saints who achieved a higher level of spirituality and because of it favor in the eyes of God, we need to seek to live by God’s way and not that of the material world.
Let us call to mind the words of Christ, ““I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” (John 14:26-28 ).I have come to give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, To guide our feet into the way of peace.” (Luke 1:78-80)On this feast commemorating those who achieved a higher level of spirituality in their human existence and were blessed by being recognized as saints; let us commit to working harder to live Christ’s teaching and strive to do much more now to put into action the teaching of Christ. “Blessed are the peace makers for they shall be called children of God”, AMEN
“Let their be peace on earth and let it begin with me” (Saint Francis)