Matthew 7:12
“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.”
My parents were big on the “golden rule,” especially my mom. I sometimes wonder if that was the single-most powerful piece of wisdom I internalized at an early age. It really can’t go wrong. There are times when I forget, and I let my emotions carry my words too far, or I use my words in a way that makes me feel better, but I don’t remember to consider how my words fall on another’s ears or heart. But as a general life rule, Jesus’ golden rule is perfect. It includes empathy, love, generosity, forgiveness, patience and any other emotion we find ourselves holding. It reminds us to hold on to the negative, or at least dump it somewhere other than on our neighbors and friends. It reminds us to think before we act, and first put ourselves in another’s shoes for a moment.
Holy Lord, help me to remember your words and your love for me. May I always treat others as I would choose to be treated. Amen
Becky, transforming
Matthew 7:12
The golden rule, so very basic, but so very, very important. Oh how wonderful things would be at home, at work, with friends, with family, and in our world, if we always treated others, with the same love, patience, respect, and compassion that we desire. Words and actions are so very, very powerful, both positive and negative.
Dear Lord, help us to very carefully consider everything we do and say, and to treat others in a manner consistent with your teachings and as we would want to be treated. Amen.
Matthew 7:12
We've all been hearing about the Golden Rule for most of our lives. Called Golden because it is so important. What a wonderful world we would be living in if we all lived the Golden Rule. This is the hope we, as Christians, can cling to. Even if some around us behave differently, we must set the example Jesus set when he wept. We must be an example to those around us.
Prayer: Gracious God, May I never forget that my actions will teach someone else about this Golden Rule!. Amen
Matthew 7:12
The “Golden Rule” is expressed in nearly every faith tradition dating back to before Christ through traditions developed well after the establishment of Christianity. This strongly suggests to me a common Source. What can it be other than the influence of the Holy Spirit on the cultivation of empathy in the hearts and minds of all humankind? The fact this concept is so universally revered cannot be sheer coincidence and the “Golden Rule” as expressed in Matthew’s gospel remains as words to live by today.
Prayer - Eternal God, instill in each of our hearts the empathy needed to treat others as we would wish to be treated. Let this become a perpetual cycle of empathic living that…
Friday, November 15th, 2023
Matthew 7:12
“So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.
As children we learned to recite this “golden rule”. Treat others the same way you want them to treat you. If you want respect , treat people with respect. If you want people to be patient with you, be patient with people. If you want to be forgiven be quick to forgive. Why not pray for others as I want them to pray for me. when I ask for prayer, I hope they don’t just say “I’ll pray for you,” and then forget about it. So, I should be faithful to pray…