Pastor’s Corner – November 2, 2025
The Golden Rule – Luke 6:20-31
Then he looked up at his disciples and said: “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. “Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you will be filled. “Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh. “Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you, revile you, and defame you on account of the Son of Man. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, for surely your reward is great in heaven; for that is what their ancestors did to the prophets.
“But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation. “Woe to you who are full now, for you will be hungry. “Woe to you who are laughing now, for you will mourn and weep. “Woe to you when all speak well of you, for that is what their ancestors did to the false prophets. “But I say to you that listen, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.
If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also; and from anyone who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt. Give to everyone who begs from you; and if anyone takes away your goods, do not ask for them again. Do to others as you would have them do to you.
The Sermon on the Mount, or the Beatitudes, can be summed up in the Golden Rule; “do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” This coming Sunday we celebrate All Saints Sunday, though technically it’s the day before on Saturday. It will be a special Sunday for us to remember those who have gone before us and to celebrate their lives and faith, that we are not alone but can be inspired and empowered to live out our faith. Now, in conversations over the years, I’ve heard people say, isn’t it enough to live by the Golden Rule and there is really no need for religion in our world? Isn’t this ethical standard enough without any belief systems or even the idea of God when in fact as humans we can create meaningful lives? After all, doesn’t what we do matters more than what we say we believe?
To this my response is: absolutely, and in no way am I trying to propose religious answers to the pressing questions of our time as the only solution. If indeed we can live up to the Golden Rule, we will find peace and justice! What is offered in the gospel is a way to truth and life through Jesus Christ so that we may live up to the Beatitudes. We have a wealth of faith traditions we can draw upon that can transform and nudge us in a meaningful way to live our lives that reflect the life and ministry of Jesus. The saints who have gone before us remind us that our journey in life is not done in isolation but that there are generations before and after us that connect with our present lives. We stand on the shoulders of saints before us.
As baptized disciples of Jesus, we are empowered by the Spirit of God. Let us worship God and continue our mission of Jesus Christ! May the blessing of Beatitudes guide our faith. Amen.
Pastor Dae