Tuesday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time
(II Kings 19:9b-11.14-21.31-35a.36; Matthew 7:6.12-14)
Cardinal Raniero Cantalamessa, OFMCap, has the intriguing
title of “Preacher of the Papal Household.”
His duties include delivering a weekly sermon during Advent and Lent to
Vatican officials. In one Lenten sermon
Fr. Cantalamessa advised not to love others like we love ourselves! He reasoned that many people are so
self-indulgent that they would do harm if they gave food and drink to others while
neglecting exercise and rest as they are wont to do to themselves. Although the preacher makes a good point,
Jesus’ maxim found in today’s gospel remains valid.
As Jesus indicates, the “Golden Rule” (“Do unto others as
you would have them do to you”) is not his alone. Different versions of it are found in the
sacred writings of most religions as well as in the Hebrew Scriptures. Since everyone wants to be cherished, the rule
has been rephrased as “Love others as you love yourself.” Jesus himself makes this revision in the
Gospel of Luke. The statement takes for
granted that we want what is truly good for ourselves -- nothing false,
spiteful, or harmful.
Several years ago there was a controversy about another rule
of thumb involving Jesus. People wondered
if “What would Jesus do?” (“WWJD?” was the popular acronym) is a sufficient
guide for action. Some thought it
impossible to know what Jesus would do. Really?
Doesn’t he tell us what he would do when
he says, “’Do to others what you would have them do to you.’”
