If ever there was a time when we need peacemakers – it is now. So much anger and resentment and rage in our world. In politics, in the church, between men and women and young and old. Everyone is certain they are right and the other is wrong. We have drawn up sides. We have moved apart. Not closer. What we need is peace. What we need is a peacemaker.
Jesus was a peacemaker.
He said in Matthew 5:9
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
St. Francis of Assisi took this idea very seriously. His beautiful verse from St. Francis of Assisi encourages us to sow love instead of hatred. His entire life was spent trying to walk and live as Jesus lived.
If we are children of God — shouldn’t we be trying to be peacemakers? If we are trying to reflect Christ wouldn’t that include reflecting His peace and love? Even to those, we don’t agree with?
I don’t know the answers to all of these problems. I personally can’t determine the truth from all that is being shouted from every side. My heart breaks for all those who are in pain, who are angry.
I only know that without love — radical love of each other; without mercy, without grace, without forgiveness, we will never be able to move past our differences.
So, today I choose peace. I choose to be a peacemaker. I choose to love my friends I don’t agree with and I choose to try to understand where they are coming from. I may not be able to do it perfectly. I might even be wrong. But today I choose peace.
Peggy Medberry