Blessed are the Peacemakers . . . right!

Matthew 18:15-20 is a text about conflict resolution. In fact, Jesus could be considered an expert mediator in that text. In it, he gives clear directives as to how those whose business is peacemaking are required to operate: directly naming the issue that is the source of the conflict TO the people who are involved. Try to work things out one on one, he says. That is ALWAYS better than going to a third party, or harboring resentment and anger internally and saying nothing. If that doesn't work, bring in the experts (in this case the faith community) -- first the priest/pastor, then the leaders/elders. Try to work things out. If THAT doesn't work -- separate, but remain connected to one another, in love and with grace. When Jesus says "treat them as tax collectors and Gentiles" we all need to remember how he treated tax collectors and Gentiles: as valued friends, despite differences, despite what his culture said about them.
He loved them.
I really love this text because I have developed a life's passion for peacemaking, and to me it says it all: the how, the why, and the who. In fact, in this text, Jesus calls us TO conflict when it arises, not to duck and run from it as we usually do. There is a role for the church to play in all this -- especially in its witness of modeling this kind of peacemaking in the world today.
Man, we really need peacemakers here and now. Not only on personal and local levels -- church, school, families, extended families, among friends. We need real peacemakers on a national, global level as well. We just experienced a long, hot summer where leaders in our nation couldn't even make the first directive: talk face to face without assuming the other is 1. wrong; and 2. intractable. What we got: deadlock all round, and lots of others, innocents, hurt in the process. So, we need to take Christ seriously when he says, "blessed are the peacemakers" and BE peacemakers. We can do this by addressing perceived ills in our own lives directly, with truth in love. And, together as His Church, we can take it from there.
Let me know what you think -- talk amongst yourselves. And, come Sunday to learn more about how we can do this, and each in our own way, transform the world in the name of Jesus Christ.
a.