The Merciful and the Peacemakers 

   “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.” (Matt 5:5)

   “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. (Matt 5: 9) 

   Our nation and our world hungers for the peacemakers and the merciful.  There seems to be so few who practice these lessons from the beatitudes.

   There once was such a thing as polite discourse between those whose ideas varied; those who disagreed on how to accomplish the things that need to be accomplished.  Now there seems to be only arguments, hatred, and name-calling.  Nothing is accomplished because no one is willing to compromise.  There is no give and take, only taking and disparaging any who might dare to disagree.  There is no peace to be found.

   Mercy seems to have been replaced by a call for justice alone.  Our definition of justice contains very little if any mercy; it is primarily about punishment and retribution.  Even where punishment is warranted, mercy needs to exist.  I am reminded of Pope St. John Paul II when he visited the man who had tried to assassinate him.  He did not demand his release for what he did properly disserved punishment.  But he also allowed mercy to be a part of his justice; he went to the prison and visited with the assassin and forgave him.  There is a balance to justice and that balance is mercy.  God’s justice is merciful.  Justice without mercy is vengeance.

   Jesus said, “And if a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand.” (Matt 5: 25).  If we cannot find the merciful and the peacemakers I fear our house will not long stand. 

You are a just and merciful Lord.

Teach us Your ways Father.

Give us more mercy.

Give us more peace. 

Amen