†     Blessed are the Peacemakers

“So whoever is in Christ is a new creation: the old things have passed away; behold, new things have come.” – 2 Corinthians 5:17

Easter heralds a time of newness-the stone has been rolled away and the Risen Christ emerges with salvation for all! It is a time to cast away old grudges, past shames and well-worn hurts. It is a time to be and do that which is new. It is a time to revel in a God of mercy who forgives.

Consider these words we hear at Mass: “Lord Jesus Christ, you said to your apostles: I leave you peace, my peace I give you. Look not on our sins, but on the faith of your Church, and grant us the peace and unity of your kingdom where you live for ever and ever.”

Peace and forgiveness are tightly interwoven; we cannot build a peaceful society if we do not forgive one another, if we do not restore right relationships. And as we look at our world in the present day, we see too many examples of communities that lack peace and forgiveness.

Let us pray, then, that we may be forgiving of ourselves and of each person we encounter. Let us pray also for communities torn by strife, especially for those in the Central African Republic. Let us pray that our God of mercy inspire all of us to be peacemakers, for we are all children of God.