“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God."
Matthew 5:9 (NRSVue)
When Jesus first uttered these words, it was in the midst of the Pax Romana or Roman Peace. This term was not in use at the time of Jesus but the emperors did call themselves peacemakers. Others may have called them this with the same sardonic tone that one today would call a handgun a peacemaker.
It is also interesting to note that the emperors also called themselves "sons of God."
The Judeans also often referred to the anticipated messiah as the Son of God. The messiah would be a war-maker, violently throwing off foreign rule.
Jesus begins to show that the messiah would be something different than expected. Those who wage peace are the true heirs of God's blessing. This kinship to God as God's children is shared not only by the messiah but also with those who pursue peace for the world and their lives. The kinship Jesus establishes with those who are willing to act is later reflected in Matthew 12:50 when he states, "...whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”
One could argue that the beatitudes are building on one another. To be a peacemaker requires humility and a pure spirit. It also requires mercy.
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| What if we imagined peacemaking as doing rescue work? |
When Nelson Mandela led South Africa out of apartheid, he made a conscious effort not to fall into the trap of punishing those who were formerly in power. This attempt at peacemaking required mercy on the part of those who were crying out for justice. Peace meant a sacrifice in order to move forward.
As we see this on a larger scale, we can also see that the same conditions apply to a family system. When we have been wronged, the pursuit of those crying for us to quickly make up may come too soon. We may feel that some form of restitution (as an apology) is needed.
What if it doesn't come?
This is how relationships are cut-off. In order to make the repair, it is often said that the injured must be the bigger person in the relationship.
But many times our pride will not allow it. And so we continue in strife or at least without that person in our lives.
As we move through Lent, what would it take for you to step up as a peacemaker?
We may find the blessing is in the release of our anger. Jesus seems to indicate that this is how we remind ourselves who are really are: children of God.
Prayer for the day: Ever-present Lord, you direct us to things that may seem too much for us. We are merely human, after all. We confess that we often nurture the harms done to us, even though they are not helpful to our spirits. In these moments, being a peacemaker may seem impossible. But we also believe that you do not leave us alone to this work. Strengthen our resolve and let us see that we are large enough to repair relationships. Remind us that with you, we are bigger than we could ever be as lone rangers. We pray these things in the name of Jesus Christ, who calls disciples to share in the work. Amen.
Photo by Chris Hunkeler via Flickr.com. Used under the Creative Commons license.
New Revised Standard Version, Updated Edition. Copyright © 2021 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
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