With last week’s tragic events of the shooting deaths of Alton Sterling, Philando Castile, and Houston Law Enforcement, many people continue to turn to discussing the importance of unity, patience, understanding and justice... and these are critical conversations to have. These things have escaped some of us for far too long. I understand the human need to put an explanation or a directive to such shocking events that have tragically continued to occur, let alone understand or justify, and I can’t bring myself to simply look the other way. We all need to explore what to do to bring peace and restoration to our communities and into the hearts of all the good people who live, work, teach, love, pray, and simply exist within them daily.
In Matthew 5, verse 9 (NIV), Jesus tells us, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” We all know this as part of the Beatitudes, directives from God to help guide us in our understanding of others. As part of His Sermon on the Mount, we are told that Jesus arrived to find crowds waiting. When He went up the mountain, His disciples followed Him and, there, He directly and plainly told them what He expected of them and how they should treat and view others – in times of need, in times of strife, and in times of confusion. We know, from the Beatitudes, that the meek will inherit the earth and that those who mourn will be comforted, and these are things to which we can apply logic and understanding. Of course, those in pain will be comforted and, of course, sweet, chaste, and faithful people will be rewarded. When the world doesn’t seem to reflect this, however, we question what’s happening and we wonder how to fix it or, at least, how to understand it.
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled” (Matthew 5, verse 6 NIV).
We hear this – that we will know peace and understanding–but do we feel it? If we are instruments of God’s love and we are supposed to absorb, reflect, and spread His message, then why do we have such trouble knowing what to do, what to say, or even how to feel in times of division, violence, and confusion?
There is a prayer that we don’t hear often in our church. It reflects the words of St. Francis of Assisi, who penned the sentiment in the 12th century when, presumably, the times seemed as tenuous as they do now. In it, he says:
“Lord, make me an instrument of your peace,
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
And where there is sadness, joy;” (Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi, St. Joseph Institute as translated from text in La Clochette, France 1912)
No matter what our faith, our socioeconomic status, our race, or our ethnicity, we can pray for peace and pray for hope. In our introspection, we will find the right path for our own feelings and actions.
Every Sunday at 7:20am EST, I lead a prayer call along with Bishop John Guns and Dr. Victor Couzens. I encourage you to join us as we go before God to seek direction for all areas of our lives, together. To join the prayer, call simply call 712-432-0370 and enter code 262425#.
