Source: Ukrainian Orthodox Church
July 4, 2016
After the reading of the Sunday Gospel which spoke of the Beatitudes, the primate described the characteristics of a true peacemaker.
In his July 3 homily, His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry spoke about how to attain peace with others, reports the Information-Education Department of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.
There is a palpable difference between the New Testament concept of a “peacemaker” and its modern understanding.
“A peacemaker,” emphasized the primate, “is not he who goes to negotiations, proves something to people at round tables and convinces them of something.”
According to the archpastor, a peacemaker is he who, thanks to the grace of God, is able to overcome his own pride and see in his neighbor the image of God.
Christians thus make a step towards peace with all people. “A man must reconcile with God and with all people,” His Beatitude underlined.
“An angry and irritable person breathes evil and darkness even at a distance,” noted the primate.
And having embarked upon the path to peace, a Christian begins to give to those around him that which brings them joy. “Such a person breathes peace, such that it’s good just to be around him,” he continued.
A peaceful person is so filled with the light of God that even his words become superfluous.
“And even if he says nothing about peace, he is a true peacemaker,” noted His Beatitude.
As reported by the Information-Education Department of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, after the reading of the Sunday Gospel which spoke of the Beatitudes (Mt. 5:3-12), Metropolitan Onuphry spoke about the path to salvation through these laws, as shown by Christ Himself. His Beatitude called on all Christians to travel the path of Divine laws, even if someone doesn’t like it.
