Jesus said to his disciples, "Do not give what is holy to dogs, or throw your pearls before swine, lest they trample them underfoot, and turn and tear you to pieces.
"Do to others what you would have them do to you. This is the law and the prophets.
"Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road broad that leads to destruction, and those who enter through it are many. How narrow the gate and constricted the road that leads to life. And those who find it are few".
The Word in other words
Pedot was a farmer, and so was his older brother Sidro who was married and had two children. They lived in the same area not too far from each other. Pedot always felt sorry for his brother because he had more mouths to feed and care for, and so needed money and help more than he, During harvest time, he would therefore secretly bring half a bag of rice to his brother at night and put it under his house. Sidro, on the other hand, felt sorry for his younger brother who was living alone without any help in his farm, no wife to cook for him and o loving arms to welcome him when coming back from the farm. So, Sidro would once in a while bring a half a bag of rice and secretly deposit it under Pedot's house at night. Then, one evening, the brothers met each other on the path, each carrying half a bag of rice. Each uttered and "Ow!" now fully understanding where the occasional and mysterious gift of half a bag of rice was coming from. They smiled at each other, and embraced each other, and then exchanged bags.
In the gospel today, Jesus mentioned the Golden Rule, " Do unto others what you want others do unto you." This rule is found in all religions and tribal law expressed in different ways. However, it has been pointed out that the Christian expression is positive, whereas in other religions, the expression starts with a "don't" and is therefore negative.
Our common belief is that we are surrounded by a kind of goodness. Just take a look at the services around us daily where we get food, transport, clothing, etc. People of good will are found everywhere. In a way we are dependent on them for our daily life. We often take for granted that, with his statement, Jesus is affirming something that we already know in the deepest part of our being--- that our hearts are in touch with the ONE who created us.
- Fr. Carlos Lariosa, SVD (Radio Veritas Asia, QC)
