Peacemakers

This week sees the second anniversary of the attacks on 7th October 2023, the consequence of which has been the death of thousands of people and the destruction of homes, villages and towns.  There has been a very high cost to this particular war in Israel and Gaza and the effects of it are felt far and wide.  It is possible to track a rise in both antisemitism and islamophobia since the war began and the violence of that conflict came much closer to home last week with the attack in Manchester.

And all the while there are other conflicts raging across the globe.  There are those we know something about, such as between Ukraine and Russia.  And there are those about which we know little to nothing.

But regardless of where the conflict is, the imperative to pursue peace remains the same for all those who follow Jesus, the Prince of Peace.

"Blessed are the peacemakers,
    for they will be called children of God."

I grew up in Northern Ireland and am of the era of 'Derry Girls'.  Like many, there are particular instances of violence that stick out in my mind.  But there are also the memories of ceasefires being brokered and a peace deal being achieved.  I can remember watching the video and reading the booklet that every household received on the Good Friday agreement.  And I remember the joy when the results of the referendum was announced.

But I also remember the challenges of what everyone was asked to give up or to accept in order for peace to be a reality.  Making peace is far from easy.  Getting enemies to talk to one another is a hard ask.  And getting them to see things from the other's perspective is even harder.  And then of course there is the matter of justice.  How can you just let go of the atrocities that have occurred, when their effects are still very much felt?  And yet, without an ability to lay the past to rest, it can be really hard to embrace the future.

We wait to see the outcome of talks of Egypt - praying for peace and justice for all peoples.  And we cry out for peacemakers to be active in all conflicts.

And then we thing about our own lives and the lives of our churches, and wonder how we might be peacemakers in our own contexts.

Rev Stella