Today the Church and in particular the Society of Jesus celebrates the memory and valor of two particular Jesuit martyrs and others with them. Isaac Jogues, John De Brebeuf and their colleagues are dubbed the North American Martyrs. Their dedication, their desire to bring reconciliation between different Indian tribes and those coming from Europe to North America required the sacrifice of their own lives. Why? Because they were bringing peace to warring parties!
Several years ago, Paul, the great tent maker of Tarsus, did not hold the fascination for me that now has captured my attention. It was the Year of St. Paul initiated by Pope Benedict XVI and, hopefully some wisdom amassed over many years, that opened my mind and heart to two realities: (1) Paul himself had become a man captured by a specific man and his mission --- Jesus Christ; (2) the firebrand, Paul, spoke and wrote as he did because he allowed his mind to be converted by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.
Today's reading (Ephesians 2:12-22) presents Jesus in a manner we may too readily dismiss with "Well, that's who he is." Paul writes "For he is our peace." He reminds the Ephesians and us that at one time they were with Christ, without God and alienated from the Christian community. Through Jesus they had become one with God and the community. How? His suffering, his death, his body and blood celebrated in the Eucharist was the reality that brought them into the fold.
Paul has reflected on what happened in Jesus' life and understands Jesus to be the peace that has brought them together. It was Jesus who "broke down the dividing wall of enmity." He is the one who had bought and brought "reconciliation with God."
What else to we experience in our world that is stronger than peace? The answer is simple: we experience division. We are witnesses to dividing walls being built in so many places. Politicians speak about the great financial debt being put upon our grandchildren. Would someone please consider the hatred and division that is being put into their hearts NOW by the divisions we are creating throughout the world? In my lifetime and yours we have witnessed walls between nations, along national borders, in tightly woven ethnic or racial parts of our cities, in our churches between so-called "traditionalists" and "charismatics," between people of different sexual orientations and, lastly, between members of our own families. We have become a world walling God out of our daily experiences. In so doing we are rejecting the reconciliation Jesus died for to deliver to his Father, our Father.
And what does this mean for you and for me -- for all humanity? Have I built walls between myself and God because of my self-centeredness? Between myself and others through lying, defaming, stealing and ridiculing? Have I destroyed peace between myself and others by gossiping, by refusing to listen with an open mind, by refusing to accept people of other religions, by mocking and denigrating another person's heritage or disabilities?
Is the "mess" in our world today any different at its root from what the North American Martyrs confronted as they sought to bring about peace and reconciliation?
The Lord teaches the bumble his way.
He guides the gentle-hearted along the right path.
