Scripture:
Genesis 13:2, 5-18
Matthew 7:6, 12-14
Reflection:
The Golden Rule
The coupling of today’s two readings is wonderful… Abraham and Sarah once again acting selflessly, even magnanimously, and Jesus unremitting in his call to holiness and depth in our spiritual journey.
Whenever I ponder this marvelous Gospel of “the Golden Rule” where Jesus also adds, “…enter through the narrow gate,” I am challenged by the holiness of people I know. Perhaps they are young parents who get up in the middle of the night — over and over again — with a newborn child. They are the parents who suspend their own desire for gratification to pay tuition dollars or to purchase a pretty prom dress or a down payment on a used car for their daughter or son. They are the Provincials in religious life who sacrifice their “down time” to telephone someone in their community who simply needs reassurance, or they travel for hours to attend a funeral because their presence is such an encouragement, such gift.
Maybe that’s why the prayer that Mother Teresa had in her room can be such an inspiration for us today; it speaks of Christ-like love. Now that’s a GOLDEN rule!
People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered. Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives. Be kind anyway.
If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies. Succeed anyway.
If you are honest and sincere people may deceive you. Be honest and sincere anyway.
What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight. Create anyway.
If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous. Be happy anyway.
The good you do today, will often be forgotten. Do good anyway.
Give the best you have, and it will never be enough. Give your best anyway.
In the final analysis, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway.
Fr. Jack Conley, C.P. is a member of the Passionist formation community at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago.