Pastor Chris continues our series on the Beatitudes as he reflects on the call for peacemakers, the pursuit of justice, and the importance of understanding differing perspectives. With empathy and insight, he examines how these biblical teachings can be practically applied to the multifaceted layers of the conflict happening in the Middle East, fostering understanding and laying the groundwork for reconciliation and peacebuilding.
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Ephesians 2:13-15
13 But now, because of Jesus the Anointed and His sacrifice, all of that has changed. God gathered you who were so far away and brought you near to Him by the royal blood of the Anointed, our Liberating King. 14 He is the embodiment of our peace, sent once and for all to take down the great barrier of hatred and hostility that
has divided us so that we can be one. 15 He offered His body on the sacrificial altar to bring an end to the law's ordinances and dictations that separated Jews from the outside nations. His desire was to create in His body one new humanity from the two opposing groups, thus creating peace.
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"You just need to look at what the Gospel asks and what war does. The Gospel asks that we feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, clothe the naked, welcome the homeless, visit the prisoner and perform works of mercy. War does all the opposite. It makes my neighbor hungry, thirsty, homeless, a prisoner and sick. The Gospel asks us to take up our cross. War asks us to lay the cross of suffering on others."
- Dorothv Day
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Matthew 5:38-48
You know that Hebrew Scripture sets this standard of justice and punishment: take an eye for an eve and a tooth for a tooth. 3e But I say this, don't fight against the one who is working evil against you. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, you are to turn and offer him your left cheek. 40 If someone connives to get your shirt, give him your jacket as well.
41 If someone forces you to walk with him for a mile, walk with him for two instead. 42 If someone asks you for something, give it to him. If someone wants to borrow something from you, do not turn away. 43 You have been taught to love your neighbor and hate your enemy.
44 But I tell you this: love your enemies. Pray for those who torment you and persecute you-45 in so doing, you become children of your Father in heaven. He, after all, loves each of us -good and evil, kind and cruel. He causes the sun to rise and shine on evil and good alike. He causes the rain to water the fields of the righteous and the fields of the sinner. 46 It is easy to love those who love you -even a tax collector can love those who love him. 47 And it is easy to greet your friends -even outsiders do that! 48 But you are called to something higher: "Be perfect, as your Father in heaven is perfect."
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"Resistance that makes for peace is not so much the effort of brave and courageous individuals as the work of the community of faith. Individual people, even the best and strongest, will soon be exhausted and discouraged, but a community of resistance can persevere even when its members have their moments of weakness and despair. Peacemaking can be a lasting work only when we live and work together.
- Henri Nouwen