First Reading: Gn 13:2. 5-18; Psalm: 48. R. v. 9cd; Gospel: Mt 7:6.12-14

OUR GUIDING RULE

BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP

So whatever you wish that men would do to you, do so to them; for this is the law and the prophets. (Mt 7:12).

The Golden Rule is as old as the human race. It is a rule that resides at the centre of the human conscience. For ordinarily, we should feel bad to see others suffer what we don’t wish ourselves. So Jesus was only resonating this God-given rule to reawaken our consciousness to it.

Self-love is beautiful and necessary because it is a sign of appreciation for the gift we have received from God. However, narcissistic tendency is bad. This is when we think too highly of ourselves seeking the admiration of people while disregarding others as inferior without empathy or love. ‘Narcissism’ was a word coined from Greek mythology about a man Narcissus who was so beautiful and loved himself excessively while he treated others with contempt. He fell into a pool and got drowned while admiring the reflection of himself. This kind of love is hostile to the ‘Golden Rule’ because it is selfish and exclusive.

Let’s take our time to reflect on what we want people to do for us. Now, are we also conscious that these same people may have similar wishes and desires? As much as we want to be loved, cared and provided for, the people around us want these things too. We should be conscious of this. Jesus simply wants us to be mindful of the danger of excessive love for the self. That kind of love that puts us first in everything. Life is not all about us. If it was so, God would not bother creating that neighbour who needs our love and care too. When we begin to see ourselves in the faces of those we meet, perhaps we can begin to think differently about our actions towards them.

PRAYER FOR THE DAY

Lord Jesus, may we grow in love for you and for one another. Amen.