in his Table Talk, Martin Luther wrote: "War is the greatest plague that can afflict humanity. It destroys religion, it destroys states, it destroys families. Any scourge is preferable to it."

These words of the great Reformationist were written in the 16th century. They were true then. They are even more true today. With the advance of technological means of carrying on warfare today, it is even more true that "any scourge is preferable to [war]."

A nation may gain temporarily from war. It may even gain what in ignorance is called a victory. But true victory is the victory of divine Love operating in and as the thoughts and lives of men. True victory is gained by the peacemakers--not the war makers.

Let us be the blessed peacemakers.