When Jesus gets up and preaches the sermon on the mount, we all know it’s bound to be a barn-burner. And he offers a most radical, generous, challenging sermon for every person of faith. There’s something in there to make anyone squirm.

And in his opening list of blessings, sometimes referred to as “The Be-Attitudes” (because they share the kind of attitude that can help us all be with one another a lot better) Jesus challenges us to really take on our responsibility to being the change we want to see in the world.

At the heart of all of it is stepping out into the breach: the space between the armies: to bring, not only an end to war, but also peace. Shalom. Justice, health, wholeness. To risk ourselves, to make Christ’s presence known, and make peace possible. To be the children of God to one another.