Golden Rules

Tuesday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time A

I have a question.

Do you know who is the most intelligent man in the bible?

One of the challenges in life is relationships with others. And readings these days are teachings about relationships with one another.

Yesterday reading, Jesus said, "Do not judge others."

Today Jesus offers a principle or a "golden rule" to have a good relationship: "whatever you wish that men would do to you, do so to them; for this is the law and the prophets."

This statement is a "golden rule" to guide all Christian morality and a bridge that holds together all laws and prophets.

A Chinese philosopher named "Confucius" negatively said, "Do not do to others what you do not want to be done to yourself."

Jesus said positively “Do to others whatever you would have them do to you” (7:12).

It is a summary of biblical morality that means that

if you want to be respected, respect.

If you want to be forgiven, forgive;

if you want to be given, give.

If you want people to be kind to you, be kind.

I asked an old priest about how to have a good relationship with others he said three principles:

1. Be kind.

2. Be kind.

3. Be kind.

The book of Proverbs has a very famous saying, "Kill Them with Kindness?"

How can we apply the Golden Rule?

There are many ways to apply this golden rule that Jesus taught us, Treat all like you want to be treated, and more than that, treat all as God has treated you. If you want to be treated well, treat someone else nicely; treat people with the kindness that Jesus has given you in your heart. You are all God's gifts and have more than you think. So please treat and give what God has given because you can offer grace and blessings of God, who gives you daily.

Do to others whatever you would have them do to you.