As a youngster in
school, I took part in assemblies. When I was asked to read from the Bible
it was the Beatitudes (Matthew 5: 3-12), which I loved so much. I have
been thinking of them again and what place they have in today's world with
the millennium on our doorstep. Do they hold true today? I believe they
do.
Think of this century
and what has happened. Has there ever been peace in the world for long,
if at all? We had two world wars, Korea, Viet Nam. Unrest and violence
in Northern Ireland, Israel and the recent hostilities in Kosovo are further
interruptions of the peace.
What about the inhumane
things that ordinary people have had to suffer through these times? Many
have been slaughtered and for what? Surely not for peace. For power? That's
debatable. Certainly not in God's name, although some have justified violent
conquest in His name over the centuries.
Blessed are the peacemakers.
I am sure every one of us wants peace everywhere. Can you imagine a world
at peace forever? Wouldn't it be wonderful?
Blessed are those
who are persecuted. Many people have been abused, beaten and murdered for
their beliefs. It's not uncommon these days for young people to be sneered
at for their Christian beliefs (remember the girl who was asked if she
believed in God before being shot to death at Columbine High School?).
Maybe if we all thought
a little more about the true mean of the Beatitudes and followed their
teachings we could build a better world. I will never be a member of our
Parliament here in the United Kingdom, but I do know that many are Christians
and do use their Christianity in their daily work.
So what of the coming
millennium? I'd like to believe that God will be a big part of it and help
us to make it a better world through His love and by living the Beatitudes.
Each of us can play a part in the making of a better world.
After all he gave
up his son to death for each of us. Are we willing to follow his teachings
for a better, safer world for our children? I am.
