There is a common ethic among the world religions: the "Golden Rule". The Golden Rule is to do unto others as you would have them do unto you. It's striking to me that in Old Testament Law we have a limit of retaliation: just an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. It was a law designed to prevent escalation in conflicts. But then in the New Testament, we have Jesus saying you have heard "an eye for an eye" but I tell you to forgive... to turn the other cheek... to love your enemies, etc... I've thought it a radical departure from OT philosophy, but maybe it's not. Given that this proverb has in it the same spirit that Jesus was getting at tells me that perhaps it wasn't such a radical idea after all. Just because you're wronged by somebody doesn't give you license to wrong them back. It's a hard road to follow, but it is the Way.
Readings: Jeremiah 10:1-11:23; Colossians 3:18-4:18; Psalm 78:56-72; Proverbs 24:28-29
