Dear Parish Family,
 
Why is it so difficult for some people to follow the Golden Rule?  Jesus said in  (Luke 6:12) “Do onto others that you would have them to do unto you.” For Confucius this was the cornerstone of his ministry emphasizing the importance of treating others the same way.
 
What we know to be the right and just way of treating others is not always the easiest. It can be a challenge! If we want God to bless us, then we should bless others. If we want God to forgive us, then we must forgive.  If we want God to show us mercy, then we must show mercy to others. Unfortunately, our natural inclination is to treat others he way they treat us. This may not be the best way. Jesus is explicit about “If you love only those that love you what credit is it to you? Even sinners love those who love them.” (Luke 6:32) Jesus exhorts us to love our enemies: to love even those who hate us.” (Luke 6:27-28)
 
The Golden Rule gives us clear direction. We need to respect others with the same passion and compassion we seek for ourselves. One of the easiest ways to accomplish this is kindness and common courtesy. So many ways are
available for us to follow The Golden Rule, from a friendly wave when let into a lane of traffic, a smile, the simplest of
phrases, to going out of our way to make it a better day for others!
 
Let us pray: Lord God, you have given us the key to living in your kingdom through this profound rite.  Help me to do
to others, what I would want them to do to me. Amen.
 
Mary Jo