Occasionally, in ministry, we are asked to conduct a funeral service for someone we have never met and know nothing about. Sometimes we are asked to deliver a sermon for the person that has passed. To learn more of this person’s life, I turn to the Beatitudes in Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. I have found that this passage can be used to comfort and connect with the grieving family by asking which of the Beatitudes best describes their loved one. The Beatitudes are as follow:

When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain, and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. And he began to speak and taught them, saying:

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.

Blessed are those who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. Matthew 5:1-12 (NRSV)

When the family thinks about which of the Beatitudes best describes their loved one, it helps me to connect with the them, and I get to learn about the person who has passed. This little exercise has allowed me to comfort and befriend people that are going through a difficult time, and it helps me with my message at the funeral.

Some scholars suggest that the Beatitudes can be linked to the Ten Commandments. Moses went up the mountain and brought down the law of God, and Jesus went up the mountain and revealed the heart of God. The Ten Commandments tell us what God asks of us; the Beatitudes describe the heart that is being transformed by the Beatitudes. St. Augustine suggested that the commandments restrain evil, and the beatitudes cultivate holiness.

The 10 Commandments say: “You shall not murder.”

While the Beatitudes form people who are merciful and peacemaking, making murder unthinkable.

Which Beatitude best describes you? Are you poor in spirit? Are you mourning? Do you seek righteousness?

The Beatitude I aspire to live is that of a peacemaker. “Blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called Children of God.” (Matthew 5:9).

In this time of divisiveness and anger, “blessed are the peacemakers” speaks directly to the tone of public life today.

Our culture today often welcomes outrage, and the algorithms of many social media platforms reward anger. Scripture, however, consistently warns against the danger of anger.

“Human anger does not produce the righteousness of God” (James 1:20). “Be angry but do not sin” (Ephesians 4:26).

Jesus does not bless those who shout the loudest in anger or win the most arguments. He blesses those who step into the chaos of human conflict and disagreement and quietly begin the work of healing.

What can you do to be a peacemaker? You can listen. Peacemakers listen deeply. You can speak the truth in love. Peacemakers speak with clarity. You can refuse to return hostility.

Peacemakers respond with restraint.

Peacemaking is difficult because anger feels powerful. But anger alone cannot build the kingdom of God.

Peacemaking requires patience, humility, and courage. Peacemaking is not Peacekeeping

It requires the willingness to see and respect the humanity in someone we disagree with, and to speak truth in courage.

And in a culture shaped by outrage, that may be one of the most faithful acts a Christian can offer the world.

If you are interested in Peacemaking in Wyoming, there is an organization working to reduce the tension in our public discourse. This organization becomepeacemakers.org was founded to get us to think about Jesus before we speak, and to follow Jesus’ ultimate law: Love God and love your neighbor.

The next time you are confronted with a heated or uncomfortable discussion, ask yourself this well-known question: “What would Jesus do?” You know that He would be a peacemaker. Jesus, help me to see what you see and say what you would say.