Like many of us, Fr. Tyler grew up learning the hard way that peace doesn’t just “happen.” With two older brothers, it often took an argument—and a mother’s gentle song, “Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me”—to remind them what really mattered. This month’s Word of Life invites us to rediscover that same truth in Jesus’ words: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God” (Mt 5:9). Peace isn’t a passive state—it’s something we build, one act of love and forgiveness at a time. Whether it’s reconciling with a family member, reaching out to a friend we’ve grown distant from, or softening a hard heart, each small gesture of reconciliation draws us closer to the Father’s heart. If peace in the world feels impossible, maybe it’s time to start closer to home—to forgive, to listen, and to take the first step toward unity. That’s where God’s family begins.
