Blessed are the Peacemakers

            President Herbert Hoover once said, “Peace is not made at the council tables, or by treaties, but in the hearts and souls of men and women.” Benjamin Franklin said, “He who would live in peace and at ease, must not speak all he knows, nor judge all he sees.” All of us want peace. All of us want harmony and understanding and love. The problem with such noble desires is that they conflict with other less noble desires. For example, we all prefer to have things our own way. We don’t want our privacy invaded. We don’t want anyone to infringe upon our rights. Such notions may be well and truly good until my rights and freedoms become your oppression and injustice.

Freedom Unlimited

            Most of us in today’s society have been brought up to greatly value freedom of choice. Some people tend to live as if there should be no limits at all to their freedoms and choices. Where does one’s freedom end in a civilised society? Where does my right to swing my fist end? Where your nose begins do you think? In a small town and community like Burnley it is easy for one person to get their nose out of joint. It is easy for one person or group in our town to offend another person or group. At such times, forgiveness, humility, and active listening are essential to genuine peacemaking.

The Crucified Peacemaker

            There was a Jewish fellow many years ago who didn’t like all the fighting and bickering that people did. He stood up for peace and love and forgiveness. As a result, even his friends deserted him as he was mocked, and scourged, and crucified by an angry mob. He died because he was a peacemaker. He also died as a result of the work of amateur politicians who saw him as a disturbing influence. But before He died, he taught the people “Blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called the children of God”.

            My prayer for all who read this article is:

“Make me a channel of thy peace

Where there is hatred, let me sow love.

Where there is injury, pardon.

Where there is doubt, faith.

Where there is despair, hope.

Where there is darkness, light.” ( St. Francis of Assisi)

 

            (Taken from St. Simons Deep Cove Vancouver Canada web site and edited by setabil