Recently, an observatory created by three Italian universities has indicated that in one year there have been more than a million hate messages on the internet, and those directed at foreigners, Jews and especially women are becoming increasingly violent.

It's clear we can't generalize, but each of us has experienced conflict, offense, and rivalries—in our families, at work, in sports, and so on—that divide and jeopardize social harmony. Furthermore, on a more global scale, there are 56 armed conflicts worldwide, the highest number since World War II, with a staggering number of civilian casualties.

Given this scenario, the words of Jesus resonate more provocatively, truthfully, and powerfully than ever:

"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God."».

“Every people and every person has a deep longing for peace, harmony, and unity. But despite efforts and goodwill, after millennia of history, we find ourselves unable to maintain a stable and lasting peace. Jesus came to bring us peace, a peace—he tells us—that is not like the peace “the world gives” (Jn 14, 27), because this is not just the absence of war, struggles, divisions and traumas. His Peace is all this, but it is much more: it is fullness of life and joy, it is the integral salvation of the person, it is freedom, it is justice and fraternity in love among all peoples»^[1].

This month's word of life is the seventh of the Beatitudes, with which the Sermon on the Mount begins (Mt 5-7). Jesus, who embodies them all, addresses his disciples to instruct them. It should be noted that the eight beatitudes are formulated in the plural. From this we can deduce that the emphasis is not on individual behavior or personal virtues, but rather on a collective ethic practiced as a group.

"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God."».

Who are those who work for peace? This “beatitude is the most active and explicitly operative; the verbal expression is analogous to that used in the first verse of the Bible for creation, and indicates initiative and industriousness. Love is by nature creative […], it seeks reconciliation at any cost. Those who have learned the art of peace and practice it, who know that there is no reconciliation without giving one's life and that peace must be sought always and in every case, are called children of God. […] It is not an autonomous work resulting from one's own abilities: it is a manifestation of the grace we have received from Christ, who is our peace, who has made us children of God»^[2].

"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God."».

So, how do we live this word? First and foremost, by spreading true love everywhere. Then, by intervening when peace is threatened in our community. Sometimes, simply listening to the opposing sides with love, to the very end, is enough to find a way out.

Furthermore, we will not give up until the broken relationships, often due to trivial matters, are restored. We could launch—within the organization, association, or parish to which we belong—concrete initiatives aimed at developing a greater awareness of the need for peace. There are thousands of proposals worldwide, large and small, that work in this direction: marches, concerts, gatherings; and volunteering also activates a current of generosity that builds peace.

There are also peace education programs, such as Living Peace[3]Today, more than 2,600 schools and groups have joined this project, and more than two million children, young people, and adults from five continents participate in its initiatives. Among these is the launch of the "Peace Dice"—inspired by Chiara Lubich's Art of Loving Dice.^[4]—on whose faces are written phrases that help build peaceful relationships; and also an initiative that is being developed all over the world, the Time-outEvery day at 12:00, a minute of silence, reflection, or prayer for peace is observed.

Augusto Parodi and the Word of Vine teamto

[1] C. Lubich, Word of Life, January 2004, in Ciudad Nueva no. 405 (1/2004), 22.
[2] Francis, General Audience, 15-4-2020: The Law of God. Catechesis on the Commandments and the Beatitudes, Ciudad Nueva, Madrid 2020, pp. 155-156.
[3] http://livingpeaceinternational.org.
[4] C. Lubich, The art of loving, Ciudad Nueva, Madrid 2006, 2012.