The first reading today is from the Book of Esther. It is a fascinating story and one that I recommend you read. (The whole book is just a few pages long.) In today’s reading, we hear the beautiful prayer of Queen Esther before she is to go and plead that the king will spare her entire people. Queen Esther asks for God’s assistance.
The Gospel reading today is from Matthew 7. Jesus says, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” The reading ends with what we know as The Golden Rule – “Do to others whatever you would have them do to you.”
If you were to ask 100 people if they knew what the Golden Rule was, I suspect you would get upwards of 80-90% that could quote you the Golden Rule. Then try a follow-up question – How are you doing with living the Golden Rule? You would probably get more than a few sheepish grins. That’s how I would respond, anyway. Because while I know the Golden Rule, I far too often fall way short in living it. How about you?
Father, help us today and every day to live out the Golden Rule. May we treat others as we want to be treated. Amen.
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