Sunday, Dec 5, 2021
“Blessed are the Cheesemakers”
Some years ago, a group of English comedians (Monty Python) wrote and produced a film that parodied the life of Jesus. The movie is terribly inappropriate for just about anyone, including one of the scenes focused on a group of characters who are trying to listen to Jesus deliver the Sermon on the Mount. A large crowd is present and the characters in the film are some distance away from Jesus. When Jesus says, “Blessed are the Peacemakers” (Matthew 5:9), the characters think that Jesus says, “Blessed are the Cheesemakers”. Ironically, the characters break into a fistfight a few minutes later.
Sometimes, we, too, overlook the Bible’s teaching about Peace. Currently, the highest-rated media coverage, television programs, music, and web content are based on conflict, violence, and war. Oh, don’t worry! I’m not breaking into a sermon about it. I watch and listen to it, too. In fact, my DVR and Airpods are filled with it. It’s easy for me to forget how unhealthy programming influences my decision-making and my responses to conflict. As one of my closest friends tells me, “Garbage in, garbage out.”
Today is the Second Sunday of Advent (the four weeks of preparation for Christmas). 
This Sunday is normally attributed to the topic of Peace. Peace is a theme that we should take to heart because all of us encounter conflict on a regular basis. Few of us, however, are intentional about seeking Peace, especially when the conflict is centered on our opinion of right and wrong. Maybe that’s why Jesus specifically provides a blessing for those who are true Peacemakers.
What would it take for us to devote an entire week to seeking and building Peace in all situations? Could we do it? Is it possible to try and make Peace for an entire week, no matter the situation? As we prepare for Christmas and engage in all the fun, let’s be intentional about seeking Peace. The Cheesemakers need a break from conflict, and so does everyone else in our lives.
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” (Matthew, 5:9, NRSV).