The Fruit Of Peace

Fructus autem justitiae in pace seminatur facientibus pacem. Omne quod in hac vita agimus semen est futurae retributionis, ipsa autem retributio fructus est operum praesentium, teste Apostolo, qui ait: Quaecunque enim seminaverit homo, haec et metet. Et qui seminat in carne, de carne metet corruptionem. Qui autem seminat in spiritu, de spiritu metet vitam aeternam. Et  ideo recte dicitur quia fructus justitiae in pace seminatur facientibus pacem. Fructus enim justitiae vita aeterna est, quae operibus justis retribuitur, quia qui inquirunt pacem, sequuntur eam, ipsa pace cui student quasi optima semente terram sui cordis aspergunt, quo per quotidianum bonae operationis crementum ad fructum valeant vitae pervenire coelestis. De quo alibi scriptum est: Qui seminant in lacrymis, in gaudio metent, et caetera usque ad finem psalmi. Seminant autem et metent etiam reprobi quia pro meritis in judicio recipient. Sanctus Beda, Super Divi Jacobi Epistolam, Caput III Source: Migne PL 93 31

The fruit of righteousness is sown in peace, for those who make peace. 1  Everything that we do in this life is seed for future reward, the reward being the fruit of present works, to which the Apostle bears witness, who says, 'For whatever a man sows he reaps, and he who sows in the flesh reaps the corruption of the flesh, and he who sows in the spirit reaps eternal life from the spirit.' 2 And so rightly it is said that the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace for those who make peace. The fruit of righteousness is eternal life, which is the reward for good works, because they who seek peace, they pursue it, and the same peace which they desire they scatter as seed in the best earth of the heart, by which, through good works each day, growing to fruit, they are able to come to the celestial life. Concerning which it is written elsewhere: 'He who sows in tears, shall reap in joy.' 3 And the rest even to the end of the Psalm. And even the condemned sow and reap because in judgement they will also receive their reward. Saint Bede, from the Commentary on the Letter of Saint James, Chapter 3  1 Jam 3.18  2 Gal 6.8  3 Ps 125.5