Verse of the Day 2/21

 

Luke 6:31  Just as you want others to do for you, do the same for them. Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

 

Jesus spoke similar words in Matt. 7:12 in the sermon on the mount but I chose this verse for today because the passage does a little more in setting the context.  Most, if not all of us, are familiar with this verse and the concept, often thought of as the "golden rule".  It goes back to the times of the law and the prophets. It is probably most often thought of in terms of doing good to or for someone so that in return, they will be good to you.

 

Referring back to Levinas, Edward Schillenbeeckx writes in his book "On Christian Faith" that "what the other person can demand of me is not a consequence of what I can demand  of him or her.  The ethical personhood of the other person is in a kind of non-reciprocal real relationship to me, unlike the relationship between my personhood and the other." (page 57).

 

How many of our actions, acts of kindness, are done with some kind of reciprocity in mind?  How often do the other persons actions or reactions come into play in what we do or what we'll do the next time the same situation comes up with the same person?  Schillebeeckx use of the word "non-reciprocal"is a sobering one for me.  It should help teach us, teach me, what kind of attitude that I am to have.  It is actually freeing to an extent.  We are not bound nor are we to expect anything before knowing what we should do, as The Message" indicates, we are to just "grab the initiative and do it for them".

 

Be looking for opportunities to "grab the initiative" today.

 

In Christ,
Mike

 

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Eph 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace  NIV

Luke 6:31

The Message (MSG)

^31-34 "Here is a simple rule of thumb for behavior: Ask yourself what you want people to do for you; then grab the initiative and do it for them! If you only love the lovable, do you expect a pat on the back? Run-of-the-mill sinners do that. If you only help those who help you, do you expect a medal? Garden-variety sinners do that. If you only give for what you hope to get out of it, do you think that's charity? The stingiest of pawnbrokers does that.