The Challenge of Being a Peacemaker....

10/29/2015

Are we born or are we made peacemakers?

I wondered about this as the choir sung our congregation out through the open doors of the church and into the bright sunlight. I blinked and felt a bit sheepish as I sang along: “Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me.”

I have never been known for being a peacemaker. As a matter of fact, I pride myself as being a warrior. In my world, if you didn’t fight you didn’t survive.   I had dangerous childhood. I never felt safe.   Later in life, I became a Domestic Violence statistic and I learned quickly to be threatening before I was put in the position to be threatened. It was like this: If my back was up against the wall I innately knew how to puff myself up, as a frightened bird would, to create the illusion of being big and bold and scary. That survival tactic, having had to rely on it more often than I care to admit, became a habit and then the habit became a way of life.   I am tough and ready to strike back. Is it possible for me to become a peacemaker?

If I were to look inside the tool bag of a peacemaker what might I find? Would the bag be filled with words like these: “I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you…” or would there be the promise: “…Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God”? I think so. And inside the bag too, folded around Christ’s teachings, God’s Mercy would also be found-- for without His grace the peacemaker can do nothing.

Jesus is the ultimate arbiter. It is through His willingness to: Instruct the ignorant; counsel the doubtful; admonish sinners; bear wrongs patiently; forgive offenses willingly; comfort the afflicted and pray for the living and the dead, that we have a model of what it means to be Children of God. (The Church has come to identify these acts as The Spiritual Works of Mercy) Its quite simple: The peacemaker must be as merciful as Christ himself is.

Mercy, as it is considered here, is said to be a virtue influencing one’s will to have compassion for another.   Compassion is needed for the black- hearted enemy as well as the persecutor for they suffer internal strife that far exceeds the harm they inflict.

Can I become a peacemaker? Yes, because nothing is impossible for God. But first I'll want to reach deep inside my bag and grasp the greatest tool God has offered me: love. I have His love, which gives me the grace to love. And if I choose to love God with all my heart and with all my soul and with all my mind and I can love my neighbor as myself (Matt 22:36-40), then I will become one of Jesus’ cherished peacemakers one day.

8 Comments

jackie white

10/30/2015 01:20:34 pm

Evelyn,

I loved everything except the ending...I did not like the if clause because you have the power now....to love God and neighbor with your whole heart and soul and you can claim to be a peacemaker now with His grace. As you said everything is possible with God...so it can happen right now.........Congratulations you are officially a peacemaker.

louise von brockdorff

10/30/2015 04:39:41 pm

So, you are right, when you know deep within you that you are loved unconditionally by God....then you want to share that love with others...AND when you love....you are indeed a peace maker....WWJD....embraces us with love ...no matter what we do!
Come join the club....I love you!:-)

Richard Anthony link

11/2/2015 05:02:37 pm

Evelyn,

I believe that if you were to look inside the tool bag of a peacemaker, you would also find money. To my way of thinking, money is central to peace; and moreover, I believe that it is not the love of money which is the root of all evil but in reality it's the lack of money.

It is difficult--if not impossible--to experience love when one's body is starving for nourishment and wracked by hunger pangs.

Let us not forget that before Jesus preached His gospel of love to the multitudes, he fed them. Before we can realize our higher aspirations and yearnings, we must be properly fed. Which requires that we pay as we go in the coin of the realm. It's important not to lose sight of that reality. Then we are properly prepared for peace.

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. -- John 27

And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. -- Philippians 4:7

Dennis

11/2/2015 05:37:47 pm

Wow Richard, I'm not sure I understand, fully, what you are suggesting. Could you explain in more detail ? Thanks!

Ellen Moran

11/3/2015 08:54:36 am

My personal spiritual battles involve little peacemaking accept that I accept what the Lord's will is for me and move on.I am at odds with many people's,philosophies,life styles and shenanigans in general.How do I live and let live?If they are Catholic,I discuss,depending on the discourse,if they are secular or protester's,I try to discuss,at least what we have in common.
I live my life as an example of what I believe,no easy task.
When troublesome issues come up,my most important skill at peacemaking is ...."zipping my lip"...and take the time to ask the Lord,what He would like me to say or do,usually He say's ..zip it Elle ,this.... I will handle because you know you may say something really mean,that will only complicate issues.
I am not afraid to open my mouth it's more the opposite.
He is the Creator,we are the creations A very handy additional "peacemaking"skill,is(for me) to remain."right sized" before God because many times I think,I know better,(just who the hell I think I am sometimes... (smile) there are times when I like to think I have some "St.Michael" the Archangel in me and then I think..... No Elle,your more of a curmudgeon, dinosaur and knucklehead!!!The most corporal act of mercy I have mastered is not "smacking" people in the "head"because I still like to "visualize"that action...very much.Work in progress...

Dennis

11/11/2015 05:44:54 am

Richard, I was hoping you would not abandon us. Alot of what you say is accurate . How, as peacemakers, do we acquire what we need in our tool bag?

Patricia Blanck

11/11/2015 02:08:06 pm

Dear Evelyn,
Many years ago I attended a play at the Long Island Seminary. It was the story of Adam and Eve. At one point in the play, there was silence. Then the loud sound of marching and clanking. Entering the stage was St. Michael the Arc Angel and his band of Angel Warriors, complete with yellow hard hats with white wings attached to the back and white Ben Hurr type garments with leather belts and swords.On their feet, big black combat boots.
I can just picture you, Evelyn, in their line up of warriors for the Lord.We need warriors to bring peace and harmony to the world. That peace, that gift, makes us the peacemakers. Remember Jesus promise before going to the cross."Peace is my farewell to you, my own peace is my gift to you. I do not give it to you as the world gives peace. Do not be distressed or fearful." John: 14-27 Notice that Jesus says, his peace is a gift. We do not have to earn His peace, we simply learn to accept and live it.

Dennis

11/17/2015 05:20:41 am

Richard Anthony, I keep going back to your post. I would love to feed all those who are hungry. If everyone was eating well, the world could live as one community in peace. I also believe, though, that feeding the body is not enough. I'm with you that taking care of all people's physical needs should be first and money certainly fuels that engine. Humans, I know, have needs that are not physical. Maybe that is were we as peacemakers arise. With love, respect, and admiration of others as equally important to us on an individual, community, country, and world level! I don't have extra money and can not fathom how to get enough to feed the multitudes.

LET IT aLL sTART hERE
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