Peacemakers

"They beckoned to their comrades in the other boat to come and help them." St. Luke, 5:7.

Some years ago several members of the National Historical Association of Norway noticed certain passages in the Swedish history books which they thought were unfair to Norway. What could be done about it? How could they correct the books of another country?

They were fair-minded and peaceable enough to realize that they might be committing the same fault. They searched their own Norwegian text­books of history, to find that there were cases of unfairness in their own books.

They sent copies of their own unfair passages to the Swedish Historical Association, with this explanation:

"We have found these passages in our Norwegian schoolbooks which we think unfair to you. Will you look through our texts further, and see if there are any other passages to which you take exception, so that we may change them in a new edition?"

The Swedish historians were so delighted with this peace-making approach that they made response in the form of an invitation to point out similar errors in the Swedish books. As a result both sets of books were revised with good will and understanding promoted on both sides.

Peacemakers of the world - take a lesson here. One cause of bloody war is misunderstanding. Removing misunderstanding is one task of the peace­maker. It is one work that will please the Prince of Peace who told us in the Sermon on the Mount:

"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God." St. Matthew, 5:9.

1. What is peace?

It is a state of the soul at rest with God and man.

Peaceableness is a virtue that disposes the soul to a calm and contented security that comes from being a friend with God and all men. The words of Christ mean that blessed are they who make sacrifices for the sake of peace, and who promote peace among others. They are blessed and happy because here below they enjoy the special protection of God, and hereafter they will receive the reward of true children of the Almighty.

The peace which Christ brought to this earth, and which He wants us to have, is opposed to the false peace and security of the world, which is fleeting and uncertain. It is also opposed to the spirit of rebellion, war, and conquest which we see all over the globe.

2. They are truly peacemakers­:

A. Who reign over the passions of their hearts. Here is the very root of all world peace. The individual heart is the beginning. Control the heart, and you control all. Greed for gold and pleasure and power, pride and selfishness, and all the other passions uncontrolled are the sources of strife and warfare. For world peace, start with yourself.

B. Who have peace in their own conscience before God. The best peace­makers are those who make and keep peace between themselves and God. Sin spoils that peace. Sin also destroys peace of mind. It is the greatest enemy of peace, in the individual and in the world.

C. Who are regular and tranquil in their actions. People who are con­tinually worried, who have no system of doing even the simplest tasks, who are always in a hurry or in a turmoil, do not help peace in any way. This hurry and worry is a constant curse in modern life. It is a result of and a cause for our not having our thoughts and lives anch­ored in the God of peace. We are lazy and indifferent only in regard to Him.

D. Who have peace with all men. Peacemakers do not exclaim: "I can get along with everybody but so-and-so." We must try to understand and cooperate with everyone, especially in the immediate and intimate circles where we live and work and play.

E. Who never take offense. Wounded pride and insulted self-esteem quickly destroy peace. Be humble.

F. Who endeavor to reconcile those who do not get along together. Too often we do the opposite. We spread stories, false and true, about one friend to another, causing misunderstanding and loss of friendship. Try to bring about peace. Say the thing, do the thing that will raise friends and neighbors and co-workers in the esteem of others. You can do that every day. Factual arbitration between labor and manage­ment is an example of this.

G. Who by prayer, penance and personal effort try to reconcile souls to God, to bring back the stray sheep.

H. Who avoid critical gossip and open breaks in their family, commu­nity, social and religious groups.

3. Such peacemakers are true children of God:

A. They become heirs to the riches of God. (Rom. 15:33).

B. Brothers of the Son who reconciled the world.

C. They take on a special resemblance to the God of peace.

D. They share in the work of the Prince of Peace.

4. Peacemakers, as opposed to troublemakers, are usually loved and revered by men. Always they are loved by God, because establishing peace, even between individuals, is spreading God's kingdom.

The Apostles must have been on friendly, peace-loving terms with their rival fishermen, because they called the others to help handle the big catch of fish.

Peace is built on understanding and unselfishness. The Norwegian and Swedish men of my story showed that understanding and consideration. They helped toward peace by removing some of the mistaken statements which might.have destroyed peace. They brought the two countries a little closer together.

May you, too, pray diligently for peace. May you merit the reward which Christ promises to peacemakers. May you be blessed with peace and its rewards.
Amen.
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Adapted from Prayers, Precepts and Virtues
by Fr. Arthur Tonne, OFM (©1949)