“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. – Matthew 5:9.
I wonder what it is that we hope for – for ourselves and each other? It is true that we do not agree with everyone, and indeed find some people very hard to agree with or like. Is it possible to have a hope for people that is universal and possible and one we can work towards?
These questions became poignant as I listened to two women from Israel reflect on peace building and the reality of life in Israel and Palestine. One was Palestinian and the other Israeli. They work together towards a common hope.
In their presentation no one was demonised, yes wrongs were described, consequences not avoided, and the vulnerability of people was explored with sensitivity. They reminded us that people, Palestinian and Israeli, are living in grief, fear and sorrow.
Their answer to this question above was this, “A dignified life for themselves and for their children – this is a universal human desire”. These peacemaking activists shared a desire to see people have the freedom to flourish in this conflict impacted environment.
They were not naïve in their hope and affirmed the need to recognise and listen to the stories of human suffering as part of a journey towards reconciliation. ‘Reconciliation without listening has no depth or understanding’. When a journey towards reconciliation begins a pathway to ‘dignified life’ is created.
In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus describes peacemakers as blessed and as being called the children of God. While other passages in the New Testament describe how we become children of God, here Jesus indicates that peacemaking is an outflow of being children of God and our identity.
Peace-making: doing what we can so everyone has a dignified life for themselves and their children. We pray and act for peace.
Rev John Gilmore, NCCA President