I did my homework. I researched.
You will not believe this…stuff… But you can research it on your own.
You know about the “Golden Rule,” right?
Did you know there is a Silver Rule? A Bronze rule? An iron rule? A platinum rule? And a titanium rule?
Omi-gosh, I thought I was at the Olympics or something…
So many rules, so little time…
All of them, are about proper “human conduct.” All of them a little bit different. All of them, a twist of phrase.
All of them, are about “being the change” in the world. The change that the world so desperately needs.
I was shocked. I was in awe. All of this from the original…thought or thinking…
I thought *(silly me)* that it was so simple, and yet, it is really quite complex…
Surprising? Probably not! There are a lot of takes on everything…
No matter how you look at it, it is about treating “others” they way that YOU want to be treated!
You do know and you do realize that at the heart of this is “love.” We all want to be “loved.” We all want to be “cared about” by someone.
“Agape” is the word that is thrown around, a lot. Agape love does NOT mean romantic love, “liking” or even “friendship.”
Most of you that have been around here for a number of years know that “agape love” is “whole-hearted”, not “held back,” “without hesitation,” “unreserved”, “unconditional,” it is a “positive desire” for the “other.”
When it comes to “agape love” there is no calculation of costs or benefits…it is freely given…there can be no “pay offs” – no expectation of receiving anything whatsoever in return. Agape love simply does not work that way…
There is only “the total desire” of the “well-being” for of the other…for their own good…their best interests…
Strangely enough, this “may” mean or “might” mean that you might NOT “LIKE” the other…you might be “opposed” to their behaviors…and you might even “speak against” some of what they stand for…but you “love them anyway.”
You love them “period.” This is “agape love.” This is “godly love…”
And just an “unasked for, unsolicited plug”…this is the name of our luncheon…prior to Lent beginning, it is kind of like a last hurrah! It will take place following the liturgy, see the front narthex doors. End of unsolicited comments!!!!
Love your enemies. Pray for your enemies. “Agape your enemies”…and “bless them”, while you are at it…
Following the “golden rule” is risky. It requires us to put ourselves on the line. It means to give of “our resources” and to maybe give of “our precious time.”
If you remember, in the story of the “Good Samaritan” the priest and the Levite did “no harm” to the injured man. They actually “did nothing.” They walked on the “other side.” They walked around him. Far be it, for them to become “ritually unclean.” Far be it for them, to “dirty themselves…”
They followed what is called the “silver rule.” They risked nothing. They did not act with “love or with justice.” They did zip, nadda, nothing.
The “Good Samaritan” however, took risks, he did something, he gave of himself, he showed “active love.” He practiced the “golden rule.” He, and he alone, cared for the other, as he himself would want to be cared for…
That is the golden rule.
Not the silver, bronze, iron, platinum or titanium. It is the golden rule.
Do not hate your enemies… do not hate those that would do you harm…
Instead, pray for them. Bless them.
The golden rule is to be universally applied… It is not limited to our family and to our friends. “It places worth on” the “person” over that of “possessions.” It is meant to include “mercy and forgiveness.” It is a “compassionate form of love.”
The golden rule is an invitation for others to do likewise. It is never a weapon. It is a gift.
All the rest of the world religions and philosophies have taught this in a negative form. But not Jesus. There is nothing negative about it. It is all positive.
You treat others, the way, you yourself want to be treated.
Remember this on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday…throughout the week ahead! Amen.