Tuesday of the Twelfth Week of Ordinary Time

Today's Mass Readings

Continuing our journey toward fearless proclamation of the truth, we hear in today’s Gospel a very familiar phrase known as the Golden Rule, “Do to others whatever you would have them do to you.” Yesterday, Jesus warned us against hypocritical judgment through self-examination, and today he warns us of the same thing, but by demanding just treatment of others.

Justice is giving to someone what is properly due them. Justice may take the form of either reward or punishment. And each of us expects it, and rightly so. We expect, at least, the reward part of justice. That means we rightly expect to be treated fairly, with dignity, with honesty, etc. And we fiercely complain when that basic expectation is not met.

But! And it’s a significant but! Too often we want just treatment but refuse to offer it. This is because justice takes effort, sacrifice, and self-gift. To be treated fairly we might have to give up something of our own. If we want to be treated with patience when we make a legitimate mistake, we must, in turn, be patient with others. I could go through a thousand examples. But how often do we really strive for that?

Truth is a wonderful but difficult thing. It brings us out of ourselves and expects obedience. When we refuse we run into trouble; our actions begin to reflect back on us. Are you often the recipients of unjust actions? Have you considered your receiving precisely what you give others?

Examine your actions today. Are you treating others with the care, concern, and truth you wish to be treated with? If not, should you be surprised by how you might be treated? Remember the golden rule, and things will be different.

Reflection by Fr. Etienne Huard, OSB