Reflection:
“Do to others whatever you would that others do to you.”
According to Jesus, the essence of true religion—“the law and the prophets” as he would say—is to“do to others whatever you would that others do you.” This has come down to us as“the Golden Rule.” We could memorize the catechism and the Code of Canon Law and it would profit us nothing if we violated this simple “Rule.”
And yet how often we fail this test? It is difficult enough to follow this practice with those close to us—our neighbors, family members, coworkers. But what of those we consider the intrinsic “Other”: those of other races, other nations, other religions? Oh, but “they” are different, they don’t like us, they wish us harm. Perhaps that is even true. But what if we truly believed that Jesus came precisely to break this cycle of distrust, recrimination, and enmity? What if the distinguishing characteristic of a follower of Jesus was a capacity to see beyond external differences and truly treat others as we would wish to be treated ourselves? We don’t give a snake to our child who asks for bread. Many children are asking for bread. What should we give them?

© Copyright Bible Diary 2019