Cristian Quintero, Coordinator, peace building project, Evangelical Lutheran Church of Colombia. Photo: Private
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God” (Matthew 5:9).
The biblical text from Matthew presents us with a profoundly challenging and hopeful statement. This verse not only evokes a blessing but also invites us to maintain an identity and highlights a calling. Being a peacemaker is not simply about avoiding conflict, but about actively taking on the task of restoring relationships, affirming the dignity of others, and creating conditions for justice to prevail and make peace possible in communities.
In my work with the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Colombia and serving in various capacities, this verse has become a part of my life’s journey. Since I was young, I have been involved in ministry: first in areas such as youth and worship. Today I am part of the church’s diaconal ministry, through which I coordinate a project focused on peacebuilding with Afro-descendant, Indigenous, and rural communities, as well as signatories of the 2016 peace agreement to end 50 years of armed conflict in the country. My involvement in this project has allowed me to understand that peace is not imposed; it is woven. It is not decreed; it is built day by day amid tensions, differences, and hopes.
Being a peacemaker here involves listening to stories marked by violence, acknowledging collective wounds, and working from a place of faith to make reconciliation possible.
Cristian Quintero, Evangelical Lutheran Church of Colombia
In the Colombian context, especially in areas that have been affected by armed conflict like those I frequently visit, this beatitude takes on concrete meaning. Peace is not an abstract idea: rather, it is a necessary practice embodied in communities that have experienced the pain of armed conflict, exclusion, and inequality. Being a peacemaker here involves listening to stories marked by violence, acknowledging collective wounds, and working from a place of faith to make reconciliation possible. Embodying the gospel in concrete actions with these communities is how peace is gradually woven together, even though it may sometimes seem impossible.
A God who reconciles
My faith helps me understand the profound meaning of this work. To be called a “child of God” in this context means reflecting the character of a God who reconciles, who does not abandon, and who stands for life even in the midst of adversity.
In every workshop, every community gathering, every space for dialogue, this calling to be an instrument of peace is made present. At the same time, we are reminded of our responsibility to continue accompanying those who have not been heard so that our collective social fabric and well-being may be strengthened. This will help them replicate the role of peacemakers in their own communities.
The beatitude in Matthew reminds us that peace is not passive but committed action. It involves stepping out of our comfort zones, taking a stand against injustice, and accompanying processes that are often long and complex. But it also assures us that there is a promise along this path: through the daily act of reconciliation, we are recognized as children of God.
Questions for reflection:
In what ways am I actively contributing to peacebuilding in the places where I live and work?
What personal or collective wounds do I need to acknowledge in order to be a true peacemaker?
How can I integrate my faith and my knowledge to foster sustainable peace processes in my context?
This post is part of the LWF Youth theological series called “Global Faith Unfiltered.” It features reflections from young theologians on the most pressing issues and topics across their communities, from a perspective of the priorities highlighted at the 2023 LWF Assembly.
