As fighter jets roared above and reports of “skirmishes”—because no one wanted to call it a war just yet—filled our newsfeeds, WhatsApp groups, and dinner table conversations, it was easy, almost fashionable, to pick a side.

And by “side,” I don’t mean our country. That’s a given—we stand by her, every soldier, every martyr, every inch of her soil.

But I’m talking about the side we pick within our own borders, within the fissures of our society. That’s where the real war is sometimes silently waged—with words, looks, memes, and murmurs.

It’s in these moments that the words of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount whisper louder than the bombastic studio debates: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God” (Matthew 5:9). Not the warmongers. Not the communal WhatsApp warriors. Not the ones who stir division in the name of nationalism. But the peacemakers.

Strange, isn’t it? That when a nation is fuming, fidgeting with rage and rightfully supporting its troops, it’s also fidgeting with an itch—an old, familiar itch—to find enemies within.

As if the missiles fired across the border are not enough, we now look for people with beards and caps and different names, and launch verbal grenades at them. Collateral damage in our personal wars of prejudice.

It’s easier, isn’t it, to join the bigger gang? To jump on the bandwagon of blaming, labelling, and name-calling. To speak in the tone of angry mobs rather than in the still, small voice of the Bible.

And what’s heartbreaking is that many from the Church—yes, our Church—are not just silent spectators but enthusiastic participants. I’ve seen brothers and sisters forwarding communal messages like they’re passing out hymn sheets on Sunday. Only the tune is different—one of hate, not harmony.

Jesus never said, “Blessed are the majority when they bash the minority,” or “Blessed are the loudest in the group chat.” No. He said, “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:44). He didn’t ask us to check their religion before loving or their voting history before praying.

Which is why I found it incredibly symbolic—and strategic—that the press conference on our military response was led by a Muslim woman officer.

It was a declaration that our strength lies not in uniformity, but in unity.

And we, as followers of Christ, have been called not just to clap from the sidelines but to stand in the middle and say, “Peace!”

We’ve been called to douse fires, not fan flames.

To bridge gaps, not deepen divides.

So before you forward that inflammatory message, pause. Before you laugh at that joke about the ‘other’ community, remember your calling. And before you join the mob, recall the man on the mountain who said, “Blessed are the peacemakers.”

Because He didn’t just bless them.
He called them His children…!

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