Peacemakers

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” (Matthew 5:9).

Beatitudes (Mother Sylvia)

I am quite a fiery person.  My natural tendency is to launch into an attack. I would argue (pun intended) that I could argue with the best of them and would be comfortable responding with tit-for-tat to most accusations and problems and issues.

The only problem with an attitude like that is that I could spend my entire life arguing to win a point.

Generally, I am able to keep my natural tendencies under control and can restrain myself and stop myself from responding to every little thing.  Sometimes things happen and I find myself unable to stop myself from responding and instead, I am left answering to gain points in an argument, rather than listening with curiosity.

I found myself all worked up and upset and angry the other day.  And when this happened, I also found myself all geared up for responses – one for one – as I launched into an attack where I was so distracted with my own hurt and pain that I really could not handle having to deal with the other person’s perspective.

And at that time everything felt terrible.  The pain grew bigger the more I argued.  And I could tell what was happening logically, but I found myself deliberately choosing to cling to my unrighteous righteousness rather than taking a breath and moving forward.  And the more I responded in the way, the more the other person retaliated, and before I knew it, there was a full-blown war.

And when the dust settled and I finally regained control of my self-control I could stand back and control myself as I examined a difficult situation.  And as I was thinking it through in the cool light of day, I considered the beatitudes…

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.  Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.  Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.  Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.  Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.  Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.  Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.  Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.  Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.  Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” (Matthew 5:3-12).

And it occurred to me that there is a very good reason why Christ blessed the peacemakers.  Because He was not blessing the peaceful, but rather those who made peace.  And that peacefulness was the thing that He was talking about.  And in light of my recent experience, it has occurred to me that the peace maker is the person who choses peace, even when they feel like going to war.

And it seems to me today, that such a choice as that requires an awful lot of Grace…

For with prayer, I stand on Holy Ground where everything is clear. Here. At the Foot of the Cross.