BLESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERS
There should be a hush about the country right now as we realize the implications of innocent lives lost in a Tehran plane disaster that our Prime Minister has given new details on.
“We have intelligence from multiple sources, notably from our own intelligence and our allies, the evidence indicates that the plane was shot down by a surface to air missile from Iran.… this may well have been unintentional…. this will require further investigation,” said Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in a Thursday press conference. When asked if Canada considers this an Act of War, the Prime Minister somberly declared, “it is too early to decide that.”
Everything about the investigation that is underway will impact peacemaking in the world. For those of us of Christian faith, our prayers should be leaning into the words of Jesus; “Blessed are the peacemakers.”
Peacemakers begin with those who bring care to the chaos of grief that families and friends of the 63 Canadians killed in the Ukraine International Boeing 737-800 departing Tehran now face.
Peacemakers begin with real relationships at all levels of authorities engaged in the Tehran crash. Relationships that speak frankly, without delay, having honest, fact finding discussions.
Peacemakers begin with lessons of history – like our Prime Minister and staff discussing with Holland’s Prime Minister methods the Dutch used for accountability after an Amsterdam flight of 298 passengers and crew were murdered when Malaysia Airlines Flight MH 17 was shot down with a missile in 2014.
It’s peacemaking when leadership engages and learns methods of global accountability.
Peacemakers begin with evaluating the cost of blood that has been shed, including American blood, by Iran’s top General, Qassem Soleimani.
Peacemakers evaluate the dangers of theocrat rule, and nuclear weapons.
Peacemakers begin by evaluating de-escalation, realizing our own tweets and posts create a ripple of peace, or do not.
Peacemakers begin with grieving alongside those who have lost so much.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.
Matthew 5:9
