'Ask, search, knock ... is there anyone who would hand his son a stone when he asked for bread?....
... So always treat others as you would like them to treat you; that is the meaning of the Law and the Prophets.'
Matthew 7. 7-12
Generally these words of Jesus from His mountain discourse bring to mind the encouragement to pray for real, specific things and to be 'extravagant' in our requests to God., trusting that He wants to give us what we desire as long as those are good desires, in line with His will for us.
This time I was struck more by the fact that verse 12 is included in the reading. We are reminded to treat others with equal kindness, dignity and respect, as we would like to be treated. It struck me that we are being invited here to be like the Father in the previous verses, to give abundantly to others as He does.
When we practice saying our 'Yes' to the Lord, every moment of our lives, are we also able to say yes to others in the same way? Do we always respond openly, giving the bread and the fish we're asked for every time?
Jesus says here that this mutual kindness is 'the meaning of the Law and the Prophets'. How often do I remember this in the little things, even the tiny requests for a yes from me, in the good and bad moments of every day?
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