We are called to be peacemakers, and that means actively reconciling conflicts, not through violence but through nonviolent means. Jesus makes it clear that peace cannot be achieved by violent methods. There is no separation between the means and the ends. We often fall into the mindset of trying to enforce peace through control, using war or force, but this leads to false peace. There is no way to peace other than peacemaking itself. True peace, the peace of Christ, involves working for justice, sacrificing our desires for power, and letting go of the illusion of control. To follow Christ, we must reject the false peace that comes from oppression and embrace the hard work of peacemaking. Only then can we live as true children of God.
May we walk the path of true peace,
rejecting control and violence,
and become peacemakers in the spirit of Christ.
(inspired by Richard Rohr, Jesus’ Alternative Plan)