" Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons(children) of God" (Matthew, 5:9). Jesus who made this promise is the perfect model of true peacemakers, having shed his own blood to reconcile the sinful human race with God (Colosians, 1:20). Those who bring reconciliation to broken relationships, in one's own case or that of others, are peacemakers. It is all the more praiseworthy to forestall conflict situations and try to prevent the breaking of ties. This cannot be done unless our relationship to God is set right as "there is no peace for the wicked" (Isaiah, 48:22). Real peace is the restoration of right relationships among men and women, personally and socially, based on the restoration of relationship with God. Real peace and unity have to proceed from the inner recesses of the soul to be lasting as against their mere semblances set to crash any moment. It is a matter of justice and righteousness, not just absence of conflicts. Real peace creates harmony among people and makes life complete and fulfilled.
How does peace come about? In the Old Testament, prophet Jeremiah warned people about the appearance of peace when there is no real peace. " For from the least of them even to the greatest of them, everyone is greedy for gain. And from the prophet even to the priest everyone deals falsely" (Jer., 6:13). They say "peace", "peace", but there is no peace (Jer., 6:14). Peace can come to people not by merely announcing it, but through the action of peacemakers. They take action to resolve conflicts and promote peace actively, not satisfied with being merely passive and peaceful people. A peacemaker has to be honest about the prevailing situation in the community or among people and never gloss over the cracks and the weak spots before they do full damage. The prophet Ezekiel in 13:10 warned the people not to cry "peace" when there is no peace. To do so is like covering a flimsy wall with plaster that is going to fall.
It takes effort to make peace and to maintain it. Paul advised the Christians to make every effort to keep the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace (Eph., 4:3). In Romans 14:19, Paul writes that every effort should be made to do what leads to peace. Romans 12:18 cautions people that if it is possible, as far as it depended on them, to live at peace with everyone. A peacemaker's character should be filled with godly wisdom, pure, peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere attitudes. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness (James, 3: 17-18).
Peacemakers know that real peace is costly. It requires self-sacrifice and humility from the part of the peacemaker. Peacemakers have nothing to depend on except the grace of God. He or she offers himself or herself as an instrument in the hands of God An instrument has nothing to boast of and is totally pliable in the hands of the user who may throw it away after making use of it. An instrument cannot claim rights and privileges and cannot hope to share the fruits produced. What is more, a peacemaker may be made to bear the weight of the guilt incurred by the warring parties, thereby exonerating them of their guilt. It adds to the righteousness of the peacemaker, just as in the case of Jesus, making him or her thereby a son or a daughter of God as the case may be. After thoroughly executing the job at hand, peacemakers should say:: " ... we are unworthy servants; we have done only that which we ought to have done" (Luke, 17:10).
How are the peacemakers called sons of God? They will be sons or daughters (children) of God in virtue of the new creation effected through God's only begotten Son, Jesus Christ. Let us remember here that Jesus Christ is not restricted to the realm of the Church alone, as he is the head of the entire Universe, visible and invisible, besides being the head of the Church. It is essential, therefore, for us to be completely transformed into new creatures for which the beatitudes show us the way. John, 1:12 and Galatians 3:26 tell us that we become sons of God through our faith in Jesus Christ. Only when we attune our character to that of the Father in heaven can we become sons of God who is a "God of peace" (Rom., 16:20; 1 Thessalonian 5:23; Hebrews 13:20). "God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them" (2 Cor., 5:19). God reconciled to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven and thus made peace by the blood of Jesus poured out at the cross (Col., 1:20). On a daily basis, we are led by God's Spirit, a Spirit of peace, and thus making us sons of God (Rom., 8:14).
Peacemakers who are called sons of God start living a heavenly life already now here on earth. This is so because the peace enjoyed by the peacemakers is not like the peace we may receive in and from the world (John, 14:27). The world can give only temporary and superficial peace as it is derived from external and contingent factors on which we have no control. The peace Jesus gives is from above and is eternal and permanent being inserted into our hearts welling up into eternal and heavenly life. Peacemakers are truly called sons (children) of God.
How does peace come about? In the Old Testament, prophet Jeremiah warned people about the appearance of peace when there is no real peace. " For from the least of them even to the greatest of them, everyone is greedy for gain. And from the prophet even to the priest everyone deals falsely" (Jer., 6:13). They say "peace", "peace", but there is no peace (Jer., 6:14). Peace can come to people not by merely announcing it, but through the action of peacemakers. They take action to resolve conflicts and promote peace actively, not satisfied with being merely passive and peaceful people. A peacemaker has to be honest about the prevailing situation in the community or among people and never gloss over the cracks and the weak spots before they do full damage. The prophet Ezekiel in 13:10 warned the people not to cry "peace" when there is no peace. To do so is like covering a flimsy wall with plaster that is going to fall.
It takes effort to make peace and to maintain it. Paul advised the Christians to make every effort to keep the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace (Eph., 4:3). In Romans 14:19, Paul writes that every effort should be made to do what leads to peace. Romans 12:18 cautions people that if it is possible, as far as it depended on them, to live at peace with everyone. A peacemaker's character should be filled with godly wisdom, pure, peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere attitudes. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness (James, 3: 17-18).
Peacemakers know that real peace is costly. It requires self-sacrifice and humility from the part of the peacemaker. Peacemakers have nothing to depend on except the grace of God. He or she offers himself or herself as an instrument in the hands of God An instrument has nothing to boast of and is totally pliable in the hands of the user who may throw it away after making use of it. An instrument cannot claim rights and privileges and cannot hope to share the fruits produced. What is more, a peacemaker may be made to bear the weight of the guilt incurred by the warring parties, thereby exonerating them of their guilt. It adds to the righteousness of the peacemaker, just as in the case of Jesus, making him or her thereby a son or a daughter of God as the case may be. After thoroughly executing the job at hand, peacemakers should say:: " ... we are unworthy servants; we have done only that which we ought to have done" (Luke, 17:10).
How are the peacemakers called sons of God? They will be sons or daughters (children) of God in virtue of the new creation effected through God's only begotten Son, Jesus Christ. Let us remember here that Jesus Christ is not restricted to the realm of the Church alone, as he is the head of the entire Universe, visible and invisible, besides being the head of the Church. It is essential, therefore, for us to be completely transformed into new creatures for which the beatitudes show us the way. John, 1:12 and Galatians 3:26 tell us that we become sons of God through our faith in Jesus Christ. Only when we attune our character to that of the Father in heaven can we become sons of God who is a "God of peace" (Rom., 16:20; 1 Thessalonian 5:23; Hebrews 13:20). "God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them" (2 Cor., 5:19). God reconciled to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven and thus made peace by the blood of Jesus poured out at the cross (Col., 1:20). On a daily basis, we are led by God's Spirit, a Spirit of peace, and thus making us sons of God (Rom., 8:14).
Peacemakers who are called sons of God start living a heavenly life already now here on earth. This is so because the peace enjoyed by the peacemakers is not like the peace we may receive in and from the world (John, 14:27). The world can give only temporary and superficial peace as it is derived from external and contingent factors on which we have no control. The peace Jesus gives is from above and is eternal and permanent being inserted into our hearts welling up into eternal and heavenly life. Peacemakers are truly called sons (children) of God.
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