My Terrible Addiction

When I was a kid I was terribly addicted to something and I could not wait to get my fix each month.  What was this horrible thing that grabbed my soul every chance it got?  Why it was Mad Magazine which to this day is the bible of satire.  One cartoon that I remember from so long ago is one where it was discussing how to be a good parent. In the first panel, it shows a boy and girl fighting over something, the boy is striking his sister to try and force her to see where she is wrong.  Panel two shows the mother intervening in the melee.  She snatches up the boy and pummels him while shouting, "Don't (whack) hit (whack) your (whack) sister!"  Who says comic books cannot teach real life lessons?  

In the Gospel reading today Jesus quotes what is known as "The Golden Rule."  The golden rule predates Jesus and is expressed in different words in Leviticus where it says, "Love thy neighbor as thyself." Versions of it were quoted by Confucius, also we read it in ancient Hindu and Buddhist texts so it is a common thought shared by many people over vast stretches of time and in lands that were far apart.     One thing that we humans are good at is taking revenge.  In ancient times if someone insulted you, you beat him. If someone where to hit you, you killed him.  If a family member was killed by a neighbor, you gathered up a posse and you wiped the offender and his family out.  Ahh, the good old days!  Well, maybe not so good or so old if recent history is taken into account. Leviticus was written in about 1400 B.C. and Jesus quoted the Golden Rule about 2000 years ago, give or take. We humans do not seem to have gotten the idea yet. 

One thing we humans admire is justice.  In the Old Testament model of escalating violence we do not see justice being done, we see vengeance being taken.  God has taken a lot of time and has gone through a lot of trouble to teach his wayward creations. The fact that the golden rule can be found in so many cultures even before Christianity shows that it is one of the rules He has written into our hearts.  What makes the Golden Rule important is that finally and authority figure, Jesus Himself, has come out and has given the rule a new life.  It is no longer just a wise sounding suggestion, it is part of the way Christians are to live, a command to do unto others what you would like them to do unto you. 

Yikes! What have I got myself into, I hear you cry. Can a modern person live in this cruel and alien world following the golden rule? Well, yes we can. (Sorry for stealing your slogan Obama).  Nothing could be more simple: 

If he is hungry, feed him.

If he is thirsty, give him a drink. 

If he lacks clothing, give him something to wear.

If he is ignorant, instruct him. 

If he insults you, beats you, talks down to you, forgive him.

The Christian has to make the first move, we cannot expect someone schooled in the ways of the world to do so.  Treat everyone that comes across your path with tender loving care and your example will do wonders to make the Golden Rule become the only rule we humans will need to follow.   God Bless