What
separates us from the dogs and the cats and any other animal is the
human ability to anticipate our words and deeds by reasoned analysis, however
brief. Man does not live by unbridled reflex instinct like the dogs, cats and
other animals of the earth.
And so Jesus today gives the
perfect concept which will aid in all our reasoned responses to what life sends
us: “Say and do to others whatever you would have them do to you. This is the
Law and the Prophets!” This means that we must always pause before any word
or deed and if only for the briefest second place ourselves a brief moment
after the execution of what would come forth from us – are we satisfied and
pleased with how we feel at that time; but more than that: is God satisfied and
pleased with us at our words or actions (do they image those of his Son, our
Brother Jesus.)?
This slowing ourselves down
momentarily to contemplate with faith and reason our measured response is the
meaning of entering through the narrow
gate of the gospel passage. The road that leads to destruction is wide and
clear, those who speak and act first and think perhaps later on use this one
freely. As we see in the news now this is becoming a kind of epidemic in our
country: more and more seem to be speaking without charity and with no
substance, and acting with no true compassion and charity.
Abram and Lot of the first
reading were called by Lot to regard each other, and speak kindly and do just
and charitable things for one another because they were brothers! We who are
baptized are all brothers and sisters in the same family and ought to treat one
another, the same, as we would want to be treated, in each and every
circumstance and situation.
We are
more than dogs, cats, birds, and fish – we are children of God!
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