Blessed Are the Peacemakers
By: Maria del Mar Muñoz-Visoso, M.T.S.| Executive Director, Secretariat of Cultural Diversity in the Church, USCCB
As one enters the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Washington DC, the eyes immediately turn to the Christ in Majesty Mosaic, the centerpiece of the Great Upper Church. The mosaic presents a manly and muscular depiction of the Son of God as “King of the Universe”, showing both his Lordship and Mercy, according to the Shrine’s explanation.
Some years back, when our children were young, we brought them to the Basilica for Mass. Pointing to the very mosaic, one of them asked, “Mom, por qué está Jesús enojado? (why is Jesus upset?)” Uninformed as I was then about the image, I just said: “It represents the final judgment. Jesus is giving a warning to those that don’t behave well.” As we shared the anecdote with family and friends over the years, some have asked us to take them to see “el Cristo enojado.” Several have commented that the piercing eyes and severity of expression make the image feel more like a depiction of Christ in the Final Judgement.
Art speaks to us differently at different times in our lives. As I have come to know more about the different elements in the mosaic and gotten used to the image, it seems to me that Jesus, is not so much ‘mad’ or ‘upset’, as he is exasperated with our hardness of heart. No matter how specific Jesus was and how clearly he laid his commandments for us, throughout history —and this day and age are no exception— we who claim to be his disciples, have always found ways to distort his message, bend it to our will, and managed to live lives not in accordance with his Gospel, even while at times keeping the appearance of righteousness and devotion.
The Gospel of Matthew, chapter 25, is very clear on what the King will judge us on: Did we see Him in the other, especially the neediest? Did we feed the hungry, clothe the naked, tend to the sick, visit the prisoner and welcome the stranger in our midst? Did we love God above all things and our neighbors as ourselves? (Mark 12:30-31) To be sure, our merits won’t save us; Jesus already has, and he has paid a hefty price for us. But faith has consequences, and we ought to take Jesus’ words and actions seriously, if we want to live a life worth of the children of God.
More so, I propose that the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5, 3-14) is a great programmatic description of the Christian life and the behaviors that will distinguish the community of believers and make of them light for the world and salt of the earth. Someone once told me that the saints are people who try to live the beatitudes well and, in doing so, become great at one or two. The world is in desperate need of everyday saints. Especially nowadays, in a world torn by violence and war, hateful rhetoric toward the other, and threats to human life and dignity, blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called children of God!