A Peace of the Action

“He will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for many peoples. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks.

Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore.”

Isaiah 2:4

In 1900, two South American neighbors, Chile and Argentina, were eager to enter into a vicious war against each other. Their dispute centered on the mountain boundary which separated the two nations. It seemed nothing was going to stop the inevitable conflict and loss of life until one Christian man decided to take a stand. His name was Bishop Benoventa.

This great man on God did not see nations, he saw human beings. He did not see politics, he saw need and suffering. He did not see reasons for conflict, he saw the path to peace. So, he invited the leaders of both nations to his church for a celebration of Easter Mass. At that time, an invitation from a prominent Bishop could not be refused. The leaders of both countries accepted and made their way to the church on Easter morning.

With very little fanfare Bishop Benoventa made his way to pulpit and began to speak. He only had one message. A message that Jesus first brought to us centuries ago. Making sure that the leaders of the two angry nations would pay attention, he leaned forward and said very calmly, yet with the authority of Jesus Christ, "Why not make friends with our neighbor?"

Reminded of this fundamental lesson, the leaders listened. Before long the two countries signed a treaty of arbitration, pledging to settle all their disputes diplomatically. To seal their peaceful intents, guns were melted to make a beautiful statue called CHRIST OF THE ANDES. It was placed high on the mountain boundary. It depicts Christ standing on a globe with his feet on a map of South America, his right hand gesturing upward, his left holding a tall, narrow cross. A plaque contains the words of a pledge made at the dedication of the statue: “These mountains will crumble into dust before the people of Argentina and Chile break the peace which at the feet of Christ, the Redeemer, they have given their word to keep.”

At the statue’s dedication Chileans and Argentineans knelt at the feet of Christ together. They witnessed His hands reaching out in a blessing over them. At that moment, they all realized their brotherhood. Never again have these countries gone to war against each other.

Christ's way is the best way. Deep in your heart of hearts you know that. Then why don’t we do what He says? Why don’t we act upon what He is saying? All around us, all around our nation, and all around our world, there is conflict. From the streets of America, to the main squares of Egypt, to the desert towns of Iraq, there is bloodshed. Politics aside, Christ calls us to proclaim His peace and act upon it. When the people He loves, all people, are dying around us, there are no exceptions. We must do whatever it takes to fulfill the mission given to us by Jesus Himself, be friends with our neighbors.

Today’s prayer

Dear Lord, forgive me when I fall short of following the way of Jesus. Grant me the courage to be at peace and to work for peace. I know the greatest way to proclaim the Gospel is to demonstrate Your love to the world. And I know that love is never more powerful than when it quietly enters into human conflict. Show me the opportunities to bring Your love to the minds and hearts that need it most. Please give me the strength to deliver Your love wherever it is needed today and everyday. Amen.