"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God." - Matthew 5:9"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God." - Matthew 5:9
The Gospel of Christ involves a strange mixture of peace and war. We have to fight against our spiritual enemies, against our evil passions, against pride and self-will. We are sometimes brought into antagonism with friends or relations for Christ's sake. Yet at the same time Christ is the Prince of Peace, and when we fight against evil, we must always be at peace as far as regards our own dispositions, even with those whose conduct we oppose and condemn.
More than this: we must not be content with being ourselves at peace with those around us. We should do all we possibly can to encourage and promote a kindly feeling in the community in which we live. This is within the reach of all, and blessed are those who are thus known as centres of peace. Blessed is the house in which they dwell, for their example is contagious. Am I in this sense a peacemaker?
The reward of this peacemaking temper is a recognition of our being children of God, and like to our elder Brother, the Prince of Peace. How beautiful is the footfall of those who thus carry out in their deeds the Gospel of peace. They are dear to the little circle in which their lot is cast. God calls them His beloved children. They are welcome everywhere, and above all will be welcome among the Angels in Heaven.
- taken from The Ministry of Jesus Christ: Short Meditations on the Public Life of Our Lord, by Father Richard Frederick Clarke, SJ