Blessed are the Peacemakers

“Blessed are the peacemakers …” none other than Jesus himself said this. It is one of the Beatitudes in Matthew 5. Thomas a Kempis said, in Imitation of Christ, “First keep the peace within yourself, then you can also bring peace to others.” “It is easier to make war than peace,” is attributed to Georges Clemenceau, French statesman during WWI. King Solomon, in the book of Proverbs, has much to say about the value of a peaceful existence – and he was a man with many wives. Peace is a fruit of the spirit listed in Galatians 5:22. So, have I convinced you that peace is a good thing? Thus, blessed are the ones who strive to make peace where there is none.

I am a peacemaker. My sign is Libra, the blindfolded woman with the scales. I hate conflict and confrontation, yet more than once I have found myself in the middle of a row, acting as mediator.

This is not a safe place to be. Several years ago, I had two friends who argued. I lost the friendship of both because I wouldn’t take sides. Nations who try to remain neutral are criticized and hated by both sides in the conflict as the idea “if you’re not with me you are against me” prevails.

So what is the role of the peacemaker? In the Beatitudes, each group mentioned is promised a reward for being who they are. And it doesn’t say “Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall find peace.” Nor will we be be comforted or inherit the earth. It says we “shall be called the Children of God.” I take that to mean that after we have lost all our friends through our efforts at peacemaking, God will still love us and call us his children. Amen.

It is not lost on me that I am writing this on the day we honor mothers, the all-time award-winning keepers of the peace – at least while we have the authority to send each war monger to a different corner of the house.

God bless mothers – and peacemakers – everywhere.