Blessed are the Peacemakers
Professor Michel Abs
The Secretary General of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC)
"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God" (Matthew 5:9).
With this brief verse, the Lord Christ encapsulates a profound mystery revealed to humanity: that peace is not merely the absence of conflict or the cessation of strife; rather, it is an act, a process of building, and a craft, one that requires a great heart, a far-sighted vision, and steady hands.
Peace begins from within; a peacemaker is not born ready-made. Before sowing peace around himself, one must possess inner peace, peace with God, with oneself, and with one’s past. It is impossible for a person whose heart is filled with anger and bitterness to radiate serenity. Therefore, the first step toward making peace is reconciliation: acknowledging one’s wounds, forgiving those who caused hurt, and surrendering the guidance of one’s heart to the Lord of Peace. When the inner self finds calm, speech becomes gentle, and one’s gaze becomes more compassionate.
Peacemaking is a tireless endeavor. Jesus did not merely say, "Blessed are the peace lovers" but rather, "Blessed are the peacemakers." This implies that the task requires effort and exertion; it calls for initiative and action. A peacemaker is one who enters a tense situation and chooses words that soothe the atmosphere rather than inflame it; one who listens to both sides without prejudice; and one who waives their rights, not out of weakness, but out of strength, to preserve the bonds between people.
Making peace comes at a cost, yet it yields positive results for humanity.
Forging peace demands a measure of humility when you are the first to apologize. It requires time and patience when you listen to the same words for the tenth time. It costs you your comfort when you choose to confront a problem rather than flee from it. Yet, the reward is far greater: being called "children of God." In doing so, you come to resemble your Heavenly Father; for God Himself initiated reconciliation with us while we were still sinners. When you walk the Lord’s path, people see Him in you and realize there is a God of peace watching over this world.
To be a peacemaker today, I do not need to participate in global conferences on peace and human rights. Peace begins in my own home, through kind words, love, and acceptance. It starts with a simple question asked of someone who is troubled. Peace begins on social media when you choose not to share news that incites discord. It begins in your heart when you pray for the person with whom you have quarreled, instead of speaking ill of them behind their back.
The world today thirsts for peace; yet true peace is not merely a slogan we raise, but a life we live. Every time you choose to calm spirits rather than add fuel to the fire, you prove yourself a child of God.
Blessed are you if you are a peacemaker. You may receive no applause, and you may grow weary, but the Lord sees you; for you are doing the work of God’s own heart: reuniting those who have drifted apart, mending what is broken, and sowing hope.
Thus, you become a child of life, faithful to your people and faithful to your Lord.