“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will called children of God.”

~ Matthew 5.9, NRSV

We make lots of things but I am not sure that peace is at the top of the list.  Our hands are busy, holding and letting go, moving and directing, pointing and shooting, typing, writing and erasing, shaping and shining, soothing and punishing.  We make things happen and we make things work.  We make things better and we make things worse.

But, how do we make peace?  What are the ingredients for peace?  The Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. said, “I refuse to accept the view that mankind is so tragically bound to the starless midnight of racism and war that the bright daybreak of peace and brotherhood can never become a reality… I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word.”  Is that it?  Are unarmed truth and unconditional love ingredients for peace?  I believe so. But, I would add integrity and wisdom, courage and persistence, faith and forgiveness, justice and reconciliation, hope and patience, grace and mercy.

It takes a lot to make peace and it takes awhile to make peace.  This process if not microwavable, some frozen, prepackaged process that we can just pick up and enjoy.  We cannot drive through and pick it up either.  No, we must have a hand in it and we must keep at it.

Of course, there are those of us who desire to make peace with our past, with ourselves and family members.  And this is necessary as well.  We cannot have wars within and expect to make peace without.  So, yes, make lots of peace.  Serve it up fresh and share it freely.

Perhaps, this is how we make peace an occupation.  Maybe this is how we become certified peacemakers.  We practice it daily.  I’m no expert and certainly no teacher but I am willing to be a student of the Prince of Peace, that is the Christ.  The class is never full so pull up a chair right next to me.  Let’s make peace together.