Daily Gospel Reflection for June 22, 2021

Join us as we reflect, ponder, and pray together inspired by today's Gospel.

Today's Gospel: Matthew 7:6, 12-14

Many years ago, a friend who attended a large, evangelical church requested that I attend a worship service with him. When we went, the sermon happened to be on the Golden Rule. Instead of providing any insight as to what living out the Golden Rule requires of Christians, the pastor spent a great deal of time telling people that they should incorporate these words into their home décor. Jesus offers us this radical vision of how to be in relationship with each other, and yet it can be reduced into a mere platitude.

I do not think it is coincidence that the Golden Rule in Matthew’s Gospel is both preceded and followed by very firm proclamations that living this guidance is no easy task. The metaphor of the narrow gate reminds us that we are constantly surrounded and bombarded by the reality of sin and temptation. For any of us currently on social media, this is not hard to believe!

Loving others the way that Jesus requires of us should be simple enough. But alas, we are all flawed, wounded people who make constant mistakes. Living the Golden Rule means that we can never take our relationships for granted, including our relationships with our sisters and brothers who are strangers to us. In essence, the Golden Rule calls us to lovingly protect and promote the common good, especially for the marginalized and the vulnerable. Unfortunately, promoting the common good often stands in opposition against the more individualist impulses of American culture.

The narrow gate makes countercultural demands of us all.

Ponder:

What does it mean to promote the common good on behalf of others in society?

Pray:

Loving God, grant that I may pray and discern all that it means do to others whatever You would have them do to me.

Click to Tweet
Living the Golden Rule means that we can never take our relationships for granted. #dailygospel

Copyright 2021 Janelle Peregoy