Do to others as you would have them do to you Luke’s gospel presents us today with a collection of essential sayings or teachings of Jesus. They are part of our Christian faith and they are as disconcerting as when he declares the poor, those who mourn, those who suffer, those who are persecuted, “Happy, blessed and lucky”. Is it possible to live according to those values, to that proposal? Isn’t it easier, to hate, curse, defame, steal...? Apparently yes. But the consequences of living and acting with those attitudes will also be what we will receive.
“Do to others as you would have them do to you. For if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you?” That is the key to respect, to breaking the cycles of violence and evil that invade our world.
It is easy to bear the name Christian, but it is not easy to live as a Christian. However, history has shown us that it is possible to live this teaching of Jesus, on the path of non-violence. Let’s start with the closest thing in our relationships to live according to these values. Without renouncing the right to raise one’s voice in the face of injustice, to say things clearly, as they are; and not to confuse forgiveness with submission or nonviolence with weakness.
Fr. Tarcisio
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