bobtherev
2006-11-02 01:37:50 UTC
Blessed Are The Peace Makers
A Reflection for All Saints Day 2006
By Rev. Robert Johnnene OFA
www.missionstsergius.org
Blessed are the peace makers for they shall be called children of God ,
these words from the sermon on the Mount by Jesus Christ seem to be
falling on deaf ears today. Everywhere we turn we are inundated with news
of violence and war. Games designed for children promote violence and
war.
Some of the most popular television programs have murder or sex as their
base story line.
Even sadder than that is the fact that those voices that try to promote
peaceful means of settling disputes on a national or local level are
called unkind words or described as eternal optimists who are out of touch
with reality. I know, because I have been labeled that many times.
My question is where are all the voices of those who call themselves
followers of Jesus Christ?
If you are a follower of Christ, that means you accept His words and work
hard at attempting to do as He directed.
On this feast celebrating the lives of those women and men who followed
Christ s teachings, many to the death of their earthly bodies, let us
examine ourselves as to what we have done or are doing to preach PEACE.
Back in the times of another unpopular war in our nation a group known as
Hippies went around shouting Make Peace and love, not war they were
treated with scorn by many and labeled Flower Children . What we need to
call to mind is that Jesus was also treated in the same way because He
preached a way of life that was not the norm.
As followers of Christ we need to exert ourselves to follow His
instructions as given on The Sermon On The Mount and work harder to bring
about peace between all of God s children.
Not only between nations, but religious denomination, neighbors, local
governing officials and ALL of God s children.
In recent weeks we have been bombarded with the nastiest of advertisements
from all sides of the political arena in order to keep control of power.
Where is it written in the teachings of Christ that power is what we
should be seeking?
What we need to do as Christians is seek justice, peace, compassion,
fairness, equality not power and profit and glory.
As Christians, the glory we should be seeking is the Glory of God.
Just as the Saints who achieved a higher level of spirituality and because
of it favor in the eyes of God, we need to seek to live by God s way and
not that of the material world.
Let us call to mind the words of Christ, I am leaving you with a
gift peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world
cannot give. So don t be troubled or afraid. (John 14:26-28 ).
I have come to give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of
death, To guide our feet into the way of peace. (Luke 1:78-80)
On this feast commemorating those who achieved a higher level of
spirituality in their human existence and were blessed by being recognized
as saints; let us commit to working harder to live Christ s teaching and
strive to do much more now to put into action the teaching of Christ.
Blessed are the peace makers for they shall be called children of God ,
AMEN
Let their be peace on earth and let it begin with me (Saint Francis)
A Reflection for All Saints Day 2006
By Rev. Robert Johnnene OFA
www.missionstsergius.org
Blessed are the peace makers for they shall be called children of God ,
these words from the sermon on the Mount by Jesus Christ seem to be
falling on deaf ears today. Everywhere we turn we are inundated with news
of violence and war. Games designed for children promote violence and
war.
Some of the most popular television programs have murder or sex as their
base story line.
Even sadder than that is the fact that those voices that try to promote
peaceful means of settling disputes on a national or local level are
called unkind words or described as eternal optimists who are out of touch
with reality. I know, because I have been labeled that many times.
My question is where are all the voices of those who call themselves
followers of Jesus Christ?
If you are a follower of Christ, that means you accept His words and work
hard at attempting to do as He directed.
On this feast celebrating the lives of those women and men who followed
Christ s teachings, many to the death of their earthly bodies, let us
examine ourselves as to what we have done or are doing to preach PEACE.
Back in the times of another unpopular war in our nation a group known as
Hippies went around shouting Make Peace and love, not war they were
treated with scorn by many and labeled Flower Children . What we need to
call to mind is that Jesus was also treated in the same way because He
preached a way of life that was not the norm.
As followers of Christ we need to exert ourselves to follow His
instructions as given on The Sermon On The Mount and work harder to bring
about peace between all of God s children.
Not only between nations, but religious denomination, neighbors, local
governing officials and ALL of God s children.
In recent weeks we have been bombarded with the nastiest of advertisements
from all sides of the political arena in order to keep control of power.
Where is it written in the teachings of Christ that power is what we
should be seeking?
What we need to do as Christians is seek justice, peace, compassion,
fairness, equality not power and profit and glory.
As Christians, the glory we should be seeking is the Glory of God.
Just as the Saints who achieved a higher level of spirituality and because
of it favor in the eyes of God, we need to seek to live by God s way and
not that of the material world.
Let us call to mind the words of Christ, I am leaving you with a
gift peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world
cannot give. So don t be troubled or afraid. (John 14:26-28 ).
I have come to give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of
death, To guide our feet into the way of peace. (Luke 1:78-80)
On this feast commemorating those who achieved a higher level of
spirituality in their human existence and were blessed by being recognized
as saints; let us commit to working harder to live Christ s teaching and
strive to do much more now to put into action the teaching of Christ.
Blessed are the peace makers for they shall be called children of God ,
AMEN
Let their be peace on earth and let it begin with me (Saint Francis)