Matchsticks

I have always been fascinated by the simple and ordinary matchsticks. As a child I would always wonder how a simple and insignificant wooden stick could spark a fire. It is only as I grew that I studied about the chemical concoction prepared when making the matchsticks. This would create a chemical reaction when the matchstick was struck against the matchbox which resulted in the creation of a flame.

Most often we use matchsticks to start a fire. The fire then can be used creatively or destructively. It is quite a common phenomenon to see fire unleash its destructive powers. There are the natural forest fires, the fire at oil-rigs, and the bombing of cities by soldiers or terrorists. The list can go on: from minor damages to devastating destruction. However, when we look at the creative power of fire, we notice many useful things that many of us are unaware of. The most basic of it is that fire is used for cooking. It is also used as a heating system during the cold winter season. Further, fire is used in the purification and testing of many metals like gold.

Just as fire helps remove the impurities in metals, peace also removes hatred, jealousy and violence from our hearts and our society. It is an essential aspect of our life that we constantly seek but find it almost difficult to grasp. There is the famous prayer that begins with these lines: “Lord, make us instruments of your peace.” We can compare the instrument to many things. I would say that we are matchsticks of peace. When compared to the greatness of God, we are small and insignificant. But, once ignited we can spread the fire of peace almost instantaneously. We are called to keep the fire of peace and sustain it in peaceful living. Let us be the matchsticks that spread peace like wildfire.