On both a national and a personal level, mankind has a natural inclination toward fighting, quarreling, and warring. Peace has been the most elusive of all goals in the world. According to James (Christ's half-brother) conflicts come from our inner lusts (selfish desires) waging war in the heart (James 4:1, 2). This is not only true for non-believers; it is true for Christians. James was writing to the "brethren". Just think about how divided "the Church" has become since the early days of the Apostolic Church in Jerusalem. This is why it is important for us to understand the Lord's seventh Beatific virtue: peacemaking! What is a peacemaker? What did the Lord mean by that K? What does a peacemaker do, exactly? How did Jesus set the example of being a Peacemaker? Does it mean always agreeing with everyone, even when they are dangerously wrong or wickedly evil? Why is a true "peacemaker" a soul-winner? What is "the ministry of reconciliation" Paul talked about in Second Corinthians? What are the five basic necessities that comprise a godly peacemaker? Why is it sometimes necessary for the true peacemaker to stir-up trouble in order to make peace? (What?) Did you realize that the Christian peacemaker actually engages in real warfare, for he wrestles not against flesh and blood, but against the evil forces of the kingdom of darkness? All this is discussed in this lesson. We also begin to discuss the final Beatitude, "Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake . . . Blessed are ye when men shall revile you . . . and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for My sake. Rejoice, and exceedingly glad . . . " (Matthew 5:10-12a). How can a believer happily rejoice to the point of exceeding gladness when he is persecuted, reviled, and slandered falsely? That sounds like one of the greatest paradoxes of all, does it not - Happy are the Hated and the Harassed? Yes, but think of this truth, the reward for those who are willing to be a living sacrifice for Christ, is that they will gain everything - ". . . for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven" (5:10b)! Compared to what is gained, even a martyr's price is small. We begin our discussion of the final Beatitude in this lesson and continue it in Lesson #32 (so be sure to "follow up").
