During my 27 years as a Mennonite pastor (1993-2020), I preached many sermons centred on Jesus’ teachings on peace found in the Sermon on the Mount (Matt 5-7).  Here we read that Jesus taught "blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called children of God." He goes on to teach that we are to love our enemies, turn the other cheek, practice non-resistance, and that violence is never God’s will in responding in conflict.  

​    Since my certification as a psychospiritual therapist within Canadian Association of Spiritual Care (CASC/ACSS) in 2006, there has been increasing awareness and research into the dynamics of trauma and how it impacts so many aspects of our life. As I understand better the dynamics of trauma, I have to come realize that Jesus was not wanting us to be any kind of peacemaker.  He wanted us to be trauma-informed peacemakers for these type of peacemakers break the cycle of violence that often leads to war.  Let me explain.    ((Click here to continue))