Tuesday 26th June, 2012
2 Kings 19:9-11, 14-21, 31-36. God upholds his city for ever—Ps 47(48):2-4, 10-11. Matthew 7:6, 12-14

  
Meditation: mp3 | podcast
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‘Do to others whatever you would have them do to you.’

We are offered today a Golden Rule for living a Christian life. Jesus commands us to do for others the good that we wish for ourselves. How radical in a world marked by a principle of retaliation, and obsessed with consumerism and individualism! This brings the perspective of a merciful and compassionate God.

When we think of situations of real hardship and injustice—refugees forced to flee their homes; women being trafficked; those who will cannot feed their children today—we ask ourselves, what would we want in their situation? How do we find the capacity within ourselves to respond to people who behave towards us in a confronting, even evil way, to treat them as we wish to be treated? How can we be strong, compassionate and loving? How can we respond rather than react? Let us take this to God in our prayer.