Golden Rule

Jesus said to his disciples: "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. Which one of you would hand his son a stone when he asked for a loaf of bread, or a snake when he asked for a fish? If you then, who are wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good things to those who ask him. 

"Do to others whatever you would have them do to you. This is the law and the prophets." (Matthew 7:7-12)

"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.”  This sounds like some guarantee that our prayers always will be answered.  Of course, they are not.  How could they be?  

However, this does sound like what a father would not (or should not) do for his children.  “Father, may I please have a loaf of bread or a fish to eat?  No, you may not.  Here’s a stone and a snake.  Eat!”  Abuse to be sure.  

“Good gifts to our children” must be given, and the best gift is love and affection.  It’s a lesson for the “wicked” ones among us.  Because we may be among the wicked, it’s best we focus on Jesus’ Lenten dictate: “Do to others whatever you would have them do to you!”  This is his best advice consistent with his “love your neighbor as yourself.”  These are golden rules, unlike the one explained by the king's serfs.

Deacon David Pierce