Week 12—Saturday Matthew 6:12, 14-15
Matthew 6:12, 14-15
“OBSERVE THE GOLDEN RULE IN DRIVING”
The policy and practice and attitude of love is the only thing in this universe that can’t lose. For if the one loved responds, well and good; if that person doesn’t respond, it is still good—for you are the better for having given the love. Jesus said: “let your peace come upon [the house]; but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you.” “Let your peace return to you”—you are more peaceful for having given the peace. So give out love and only love, for you are born of the qualities you habitually give out. If you give out hate, you become hateful; give out criticism and you become critical. Give out love and you become loving. The payoff is in the person.
A woman was about to have her home broken up by another woman. But she was converted and began to pray for this woman. This woman called her on the phone, and she was weeping: “Can you help me? I know you must hate me.” “No, I don’t. I’m praying for you,” she replied, “Do come to see me.” And she did again and again. Her husband had walked out on her and had gone to another woman. In that tangled situation, the whole thing a mess, there was only one person who was whole and intact—the one who had surrendered herself to Christ and had loved—had loved even the woman who had wronged her. She had the victory even in defeat. But she was not defeated personally for she is radiant and happy.
If love of others is the way out personally, it is the way out in tangled social relations. The Sociology Society in Lucknow, made up of non-Christians, for the most part, has as its motto: “Do unto others as you would that men do to you.” On the back of buses in Cleveland, Ohio, is the sign: “Observe the Golden Rule in Driving.” So whether it is tangled relations in family life, or in the sociological relationships on a wider scale, or in the snarled traffic of a city, the rule of love is the rule of life, and there is no way out except the love way. And this from experimentation.
O Christ of the Galilean Road, you are fast becoming the Christ of every road. For on every road we meet you and everywhere you are authoritative. It is your Way or chaos. And the alternatives are sharpened year by year. Life is leading us to your feet. We thank you. Amen.
AFFIRMATION FOR THE DAY: Today I shall put myself in other persons’ place and treat them as I would like to be treated if I were in their place.