Today's readings: Psalm 19:7-14; James 3:13-18
... a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace for those who make peace. (James 3:18)
My father was a surgeon -- a very good one, by all accounts. He devoted his life to healing people, with the great skill and knowledge that years of study and practice had imparted to him. He received many honors for his work, and was greatly mourned at his passing. However, late in his career, he confided to some family members that he always regretted that to heal people he had to hurt them -- the paradox of surgery.
It seems to me that making peace can be something like surgery -- sometimes we have to stir things up in order to make peace. The appearence of peace can be illusory, like a calm sea that is turbulent underneath.
As we read in Jeremiah 6:14:
They have treated the wound of my people carelessly,
saying, "Peace, peace," when there is no peace.
Making true peace -- shalom -- is not always received well by those who are accustomed to and depend on the status quo. Peacemaking is a demanding ministry, but an essential one, blessed by Jesus himself.
Lord Jesus,
you said "Blessed are the peacemakers,"
and you gave yourself over to those who wield the sword.
Give us the grace to work for that true peace
that only you can give to the world.
