Good morning.
In a Charles Schultz Peanuts comic strip, Lucy tells Charlie Brown, “If I were in charge of the world, I’d change everything . . . And I’d start with you!” Isn’t that just like us? But the beatitudes focus on one’s own self. “Let’s begin with you,” God says.
"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God." (Matthew 5:9)
In Hebrew the root word for peacemaker is shalom, a word rich in meaning. Shalom-peace is never just negative, as in the absence of trouble or war. It is also the presence of everything which makes for someone’s highest good.
Some of the character traits that we need to become peacemakers are being poor in spirit, mourning over sin and the suffering of others, being meek, being hungry and thirsty for righteousness, showing mercy and being pure of heart.
Being a peacemaker is a challenging task that requires successful application of the other Beatitudes.
Those who internalize all of these traits and become peacemakers will receive perhaps the greatest promise in the Bible!
Let us together determine to be peacemakers.
Blessings.
Mike and Daphne
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