Lent- Keep it simple

Peace of Mind

‘Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the children of God.’ Matthew 5:9

Peacemakers hold the hand of one person on their right and another on their left who will not hold hands together.

This might be individuals, whole families, communities or nations. It is tough because often both parties are pulling away. The peacemaker in the middle gets stretched, pained, hurt; or even crucified. Yet the peacemaker will not let go; they will not give up.

In Rwanda after the genocide, it has been extraordinary to see people who had lost all their family united with their family's killers.

In Burundi, courageous people stood for peace when many around them cry out for violence and vengeance. Sometimes peacemakers are silenced by those who do not wish for peace.

It is a joy to be called a ‘child of God’, but we can too easily make it sound cheap. It cost Jesus the cross to make peace between God and humankind. As his followers, he calls us his children, and in so doing calls us to be peacemakers. It can be one of our most painful tasks. Yet when peace comes, it is also filled with joy.

Activity: Note the ways in which life demonstrates your desire for peace.

Prayer: Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.

Where there is hatred, let me sow love;

where there is injury, pardon;

where there is discord, unity;

where there is doubt, faith,

where there is error, truth

where there is despair, hope;

where there is sadness, joy;

where there is darkness, light.

Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek

to be consoled as to console;

to be understood as to understand;

to be loved as to love.

For it is giving that we receive;

it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,

and it is dying that we are born to eternal life.