Blessed Are the Peacemakers

“The Lord revealed to me a salutation, that we should say: ‘The Lord give you peace.’” 

—St. Francis of Assisi, The Testament 

Francis was an extremely simple man who understood the very heart of life. We know that the desire for peace is one of the deepest desires of the heart of man—and of Christ. Seeking a sustained peace and healing his wounded heart were his noble pursuits—and ours! Wherever Francis went, he would greet people with, “The Lord give you peace!” And he meant it!

Francis lived the beatitudes of our Lord. “Blessed are the poor in spirit” was the wellspring of his sanctity. “Blessed are the peacemakers” was the light of his apostolate. Because these words were in the Gospel, he wanted them to be a special rule of life for all his brothers and sisters. Since the time of Francis, the greeting of Franciscans has been “Peace and all good things to you!”

The memory of Francis can add a rich warmth to this greeting among Franciscans and as Franciscans greet others.

Peace is not simply pleasantness or the absence of problems, temptation, or suffering. Christ had peace on the cross, and Mary had peace when she lost her son. The Church has peace even though it must suffer. St. Augustine called peace the “tranquility of order.” He believed that real peace depended on everything being in its proper order.

If our lives are governed by the laws of God’s love, our relationship with God as well as with others is peaceful. No matter what the disturbances on the surface of our life, as Christians, we can be peaceful with an inner serenity that nothing can take from us. Truly virtuous living is the key to peace.

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The peacemaker must be humble. When people are at each other’s throats, they are in no mood to be lectured, but they may be melted by the quiet presence of one from whom they have nothing to fear. Peacemakers are not trying to impose their will on anybody or gain the reputation of being clever arbiters. Rather, they are protecting truth and goodness, trying to create a little breathing space for God’s love. The peacemaker must be prudent and patient.

St. Paul says: “If possible, on your part, live at peace with all” (Rom 12:18). One must be ready to be silent when words are futile, forgiving when sarcasm would be the most satisfying, and patient when there is every reason to give up.

The kind of peace Christ gives may sometimes be bought only at the price of pain. The result of Christ’s teaching will at times bring us face-to-face with malicious opposition. The peace of goodwill, which only God can give, will always be the mark of his children. Francis did not have peace with his own father, but he had the peace of Christ.

Questions for Reflection 

• What is the secret of peacemaking? 

• How are those who follow Francis called in a distinct way to make peace their mission? 

• In what ways can you be a peacemaker in your day-to-day life?

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