I had the privilege of attending a prayer service hosted by our local city council members.  One of the speakers reminded me of a quote by the late Mother Theresa. “Today, if we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other…”.

     As Americans, we have been slow in learning that the heated rhetoric which has divided our nation carries with it tragic consequences. Mass shootings are perpetrated by persons who buy into the language of hate and derision toward those who hold dissimilar worldviews. Home dwellers who kill innocent bystanders for mistakenly walking onto their property based on a fear propagated by social and mass media platforms.

     In 2017, Congressman Rodney Davis from Taylorville, Illinois was taking batting practice when a lone gunman opened fire during a baseball game being played by members of the U.S. Congress. Reflecting upon the incident he witnessed firsthand, Representative David said:

     “I believe there is such a hatefulness in what we see in American politics and policy discussions right now…on social media and the 24-hour news cycle. This has got to stop. We can disagree on how to govern—that’s what makes this country great. I think Republicans and Democrats need to use this day today to stand together and say, Stop, let’s work together, let’s get things done. We can have our differences, but let’s not let it lead to such hate.”

     Jesus declared that those who are peacemakers, like Rodney Davis, shall be called children of God. “Who shall declare them as God’s children,” you ask. We will. In fact, we don’t have to wait to call them as such now. Every person who rises up today and says, “Enough to the
hatefulness, enough to the ugly speeches,” shall be acknowledged publicly as one of God’s daughters or sons. 

     Peacemakers put the world on notice that love shall not be silenced by hatred, nor shall vicious passions have the last word. Peacemakers are God’s witnesses to the truth that goodness shall always triumph over evil. Peacemakers are God’s agents who stand at the ready to oppose vitriol and violence.

     As I prayed this morning with the diverse group of people who live in the community where I serve, a thought dawned on me. We are never more united with one another than when we fall together on our knees. Prayer is the pathway to peace. It’s also a great reminder that as God’s children, we really do belong to each other.