Be Excellent to Each Other
In the Christian bible, we learn that Jesus gave only two commandments: 1) Love God and 2) Love Your Neighbor as Yourself. Regarding loving our neighbor, it’s easy to be kind and hospitable to those who think and behave like us, isn’t it? Those are usually our good friends whom we have chosen, often because they believe as we do about many aspects of life. It is considerably harder to be fond of those who appear to be in total opposition to our values and desires.
Join us this Sunday as we look at Scripture and other sources for important guidance in expanding our concept of neighbor.
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Sermon Notes
Invocation
Good-bye Fox, by Mary Oliver
He was lying under a tree, licking up the shade.
Hello again, Fox, I said.
And hello to you too, said Fox, looking up and not bounding away.
You're not running away? I said.
Well, I've heard of your conversation about us. News travels even among foxes, as you might know or not know.
What conversation do you mean?
Some lady said to you, "The hunt is good for the fox."
And you said, "Which fox?"
Yes, I remember. She was huffed.
So you're okay in my book.
Your book! That was in my book, that's the difference between us.
Yes, I agree. You fuss over life with your clever words, mulling and chewing on its meaning, while we just live it.
Oh!
Could anyone figure it out, to a finality? So why spend so much time trying. You fuss, we live.
And he stood, slowly, for he was old now, and ambled away.
The Golden Rule
Christianity: In everything, do to others as you would have them do to you; for this is the law and the prophets. (Jesus, Matthew 7:12)
Hinduism: This is the sum of the duty: do not do to others what would cause pain if done to you. (Mahabharata 5:1517)
Buddhism: Treat not others in ways that you yourself would find hurtful. (The Buddha, Udana-Varga 5.18)
Islam: Not one of you truly believes until you wish for others what you wish for yourself. (The Prophet Muhammad, Hadith)
Taoism: Regard your neighbour’s gain as your own gain, and your neighbour’s loss as your own loss. (Lao Tzu, T’ai Shang Kan Ying P’ien, 213-218)
Judaism: What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbor. This is the whole Torah; all the rest is commentary. (Hillel, Talmud, Shabbat 31a)