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Thursday, December 9, 2010

St Matthew, Chapter 5, verse 9, The Beatitude: Blessed are the Peacemakers.

We continue our study of the Beatitudes:

9Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.

Who are the peacemakers?  In most cases, I would venture to say that women are peacemakers.  They strive to bring peace among men, to reduce controversey.  They are natural peacegivers in the home in that they nuture the children and the adults.  They give love and tenderness to those in need.  They create an environment of peace where we grow up and prosper as individuals.  I say this as an example, not to exclude men as peace makers.  Most men, however, are warriors.  They would rather fight than make peace.  Most men would rather be aggressive than to submit.  Most men would express anger and rage and frustration than deliver calm, and peace and tranquility.  Having said these things there are the exceptions in  both cases, both men and women. 

We can easily come up with examples of warring women, and peaceful men who go against the norm.  I think of the Jerry Springer show, which I do not watch anymore, where women war with each other based upon their likes and dislikes.  And on the same show, meek and mild mannered men have been taken advantage of by their mates.  And the list goes on and on with the Maury show and Judge Judy, and Judge Hatchet, etc.  All, being examples of the anger and hurt that run rampant in our society today.  Even without the regular mundane shows there are the shows for the stars, TMZ, and Hollywood Buz, etc., where the actions of star people are followed with great enthusiam. 

But who are the peacemakers in life?  Are the priests and ministers, and pastors, and deacons, and the religious, peacemakers??  I would venture to say that one must, have peace in order to give it.  One must understand what peace means in order to convey that idea to others.  One must understand the benefits of peace to help others to see and feel that peace is better than war.  Our God is a God of peace, whereas our enemy is an enemy of war.  The devil would rather have us believe that when offended or our rights abused, we should stand up for those rights and think about how we were abused and how we will right those wrongs.  Our need for justice and vengence can consume us with hatred and anger and frustration.  Whereas our understanding of the benefits of peace can bring an awareness of calm in our lives.    

For if we truely knew peace, nothing could or would shake us from the joy of having it in our lives.  Imagine having peace about the bills that we have to pay.  Imagine having peace in our relationships, or with our children, or with our bosses, or at work or with our friends, or everywhere.  The thought of just having a lasting peace within ourselves and not worrying about any of the day to day cares of life, must be a joy within itself, valued greater than gold.  For we live in troubled times where peace does not exist.  We are fed daily information bytes about all of the turmoil in the world.  Where is the peace?  Is it on some isolated island with peaceful waters and calm shores?  Is it in some mountain resort, where one can get away from the hustle and bustle of city life?  Or is it within us, where we can call upon it at any moment in time to recognize that it is there within us? 

Where are the peacemakers, to make us some peace???  Can I be a peacemaker??  Can I make some peace??  Come peace!   Make peace within me, so that I may be able to be a peacemaker among men.  Come peace!   Let your seed take hold within me and grow.  Come peace!  Spread forth your branches and send forth the fruit of your limbs that there may be peace on earth, and good will towards.  For with you, I may be called a child of God and spread his peace to all men.