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.

DD = Dedicated Discipleship:  Come grow in the Lord with us

How to find Peace?

Today’s Gospel Text:  And when he drew near and saw the city he wept over it, 42 saying, "Would that even today you knew the things that make for peace! But now they are hid from your eyes. 43 For the days shall come upon you, when your enemies will cast up a bank about you and surround you, and hem you in on every side, 44 and dash you to the ground, you and your children within you, and they will not leave one stone upon another in you; because you did not know the time of your visitation." Luke 19:41-44

Reflection: What is this peace that Jesus is talking about?

"Would that even today you knew the things that make for peace! (vs. 42a)

What is it that makes for peace? Is it inter-religious dialogue – alas for the confidence and arrogance of man in their abilities to connive and deceive, to look out for a win-win settlement and accomplish peace. 

Is it dialogue between nations and warring parties? Yes these do bring about peace but a short sighted, fragile peace, based on mortal wisdom and crafty understanding of the human person created in the image and likeness of God and yet fallen from grace.

    

The Word of God warns us about such a confidence in our abilities when it reveals: “When people say, "There is peace and security," then sudden destruction will come upon them as travail comes upon a woman with child, and there will be no escape.”  1 Thess 5:3

How seriously has humanity taken this question of Jesus to heart and sought to find answer in it? 

Leave aside the leaders of the world, there are some leaders in the church today who have missed out on this element and give too much importance to dialogue to achieve world peace: "But now they are hid from your eyes." (vs. 42b)

Seeing the state of affairs, knowing from what Jesus has revealed, it is left to each individual to accomplish this peace in their hearts by allowing the prince of peace, Jesus Christ, to reign in their hearts and mind. In this we have no excuse.

What is that thing that makes for peace, if not our reconciliation with God, through the blood of sacrifice offered on the cross by Jesus?

For those who are already Christians, it is offered through the sacraments of the church and the liturgical cycle which are moments of grace to draw closer to the prince of peace, Jesus Christ.

To the world Christ Jesus, who has spread his arms wide open for all ages, beckons each one to come and find peace at the foot of his cross.

Prayer: Lord, help me to avail of the graces you offer to be reconciled to you and also to proclaim your cross as God’s instrument to reconcile mankind to himself and thus find peace.

DD = Dedicated Discipleship:  Come grow in the Lord with us