Sons of God

Today’s Gospel Text: Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down his disciples came to him. 2 And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying: 3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. 5 "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. 6 "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. 7 "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. 8 "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. 9 "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. 10 "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11 "Blessed are you when men revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so men persecuted the prophets who were before you. Matt 5:1-12

Reflection: "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. (vs.9)

There have been many great men of history who have worked for peace in the world and many have seen their success in achieving peace and understanding among nations and tribes.

Many of these great men have been honored during their life time and their efforts recognized and acknowledged.  Many in our times walk in their footsteps and hold them as models of peace.

But you look at the world that we live in and find that peace still eludes us.

Likewise we have some in the church too who have received such honors for their work to bring about peace and understanding in society and working towards a world of equity and peace.

Can we in keeping with the beatitude call these workers of peace, be it in the church or outside, as “sons of God.”

Even though it is done yet it is a perversion of the gospel to do so and unfortunately there are many in the church too who apply this title to these workers of peace.

Men in the world may work for peace and so too the men of the church work  in a worldly way but they cannot be called “sons of God”

External peace is no guarantee of peace within nor can it assure us a lasting solution in the external realm. 

When the scripture talks about peace makers it refers to those workers who bring about peace in the lives of individual,  in their hearts and mind, through the proclamation of the gospel of reconciliation.

In other words we need to first look within each one of us and ask why each one is not totally at peace with self and thus with others.

Scripture reveals to us that the root cause of the absence of peace in society is on account of our rejection of God; more so we act as enemies of God and hence ever in turmoil in our hearts.

Jesus came to reconcile us to the God and thus help us enjoy the peace in our hearts.

Thus in keeping with this truth, those are peacemakers who proclaim the gospel of reconciliation or also referred to as the gospel of peace and thus become "sons of the living God" 

Prayer:  God our Father, you have called each one of us to be your children and take up the responsibility of proclaiming the gospel of peace and thus affirm their calling to be sons of God.

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