Everybody has rules! Schools, work places, communities, libraries, churches …
When my kids were young we had house rules and well, we still have the same rules.
It was really just one rule.
The respect rule.
Our kids got it right away (they loved calling us out when we fell short) we grown-ups had a more difficult time.
Jesus continues the teaching to the disciples following his invitation in the Sermon on the Mount by offering more ways to behave better. Mostly all the examples fall under the respect rule.
It comes down to this, mostly … how to avoid or eliminate the myriad of ways that cause harm and pain. How to stop judging and naming the faults of others and instead look inward toward our own shortcomings.
I’m guessing that the need to be right or righteous was a strong human need in 1st century Palestine as it can be for us today! Who doesn’t want to be right or righteous?
And then who wants to say I’m sorry? it’s hard work to live and love like Jesus, then and now.
At home when the respect rule was broken, we would apologize, maybe offer an explanation but always apologize and ask for forgiveness. Admit to doing wrong and see how we could repair a relationship.
These are biblical precepts …the respect rule.
Which might all come down to the same thing we tried as parents to instill in our family, the sense of respect for each other, for all others.
How are we doing; practicing forgiveness, seeking reconciliation, respecting all persons (remember our baptismal covenant: Will you strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being?)
There are so many ways we practice living out the respect rule ...
and asking for forgiveness when we miss the mark.
Remember beloved, God doesn’t love us any less for our shortcomings, just like I didn’t love my children any less when they didn’t follow the respect rule [and I hope they didn’t love me any less]. There may have been consequences depending on the occasion but consequences were not/ are not a reflection of less love.
We can act in different ways if we too start with the respect rule.
Rev. Alison +
