#15 – Do unto others

Matthew 7:12 

‘In everything do to others as you would have them do to you; for this is the law and the prophets.’

When I was in primary school I remember the advertisement that regularly appeared on television from a Christian organisation, it coined this part of Matthew and seemed to make a pretty obvious statement, even though at the time I was not a Christian nor belonged to a church.

I wonder today are we doing unto others as we would do unto ourselves? It seems as though this ‘check’ has been lost mostly in our social consciences as we are still unable to welcome the stranger, feed the hungry and help the poor.

I am aware that as we journey through lent our dear friend Tri Nguyen is walking to Canberra with his boat (& Posse) in tow. His radical statement made to SBS just last week strikes me, ‘being able to say thank you in 30 years time rather than having to say to sorry.’

If only we could really grasp what Jesus is teaching here, treating others as you would want to be treated, offering sanctuary to the refugee, shelter to the stranger, a simple meal to the hungry.

Our call during the Lenten period is not only about self-reflection but also how we conduct ourselves in other relationships we hold. These relationships place us in the world, they shape us and they effect us. How are we being perceived? As followers of Jesus how do people describe us? Are our relationships reflecting what we want to receive back?

Practice

A bit of self-reflection is the order today; in this we look not only inward but also outwards as the self-reflection is based in our call to be in community with others. Have a look around, how are the relationships? Do they need some work? Some affirmation?

A Prayer for Tri today would be good, as he seeks to turn the poltical message on its head, true in the style of Jesus…

Peace,

Luke Bowen