The golden rule is considered one of the most important moral principles in Catholicism. It comes from Jesus’ teaching in the Gospel of Matthew 7:12, where he instructs his followers to “do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” This universal ethic encourages treating others with the same kindness, respect, and consideration that you would want to receive yourself. The golden rule is deeply rooted in the Catholic faith and forms the basis for Catholic social teaching on human dignity, justice, and our responsibilities to others.
What does the golden rule mean?
The golden rule is a moral maxim that suggests we should treat others the way we would want to be treated if we were in their position. It encourages putting oneself in another person’s shoes and reflecting on how you would want to be treated if you were them. The underlying principle is one of empathy, understanding, and compassion. Some key aspects of what the golden rule means include:
- Considering how your actions might affect others
- Treating all people with kindness, dignity, and respect
- Avoiding selfishness and being aware of others’ needs
- Building relationships based on love, care, and compassion
- Acting with generosity, charity, and goodwill
- Trying to understand different perspectives
- Not discriminating or passing unfair judgment
- Forgiving others as you would wish to be forgiven
Ultimately, the golden rule is about living with selflessness, empathy, and love. It provides a simple but profound guide for moral and ethical behavior in all situations.
What does the Bible say about the golden rule?
The most famous biblical passage containing the golden rule is Matthew 7:12 of the New Testament, where Jesus instructs:
“So in everything, do unto others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.”
However, the concept is expressed in other parts of the Bible as well:
- “Do to others as you would have them do to you.” (Luke 6:31)
- “Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 22:39)
- “Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” (Philippians 2:4)
- “Whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them.” (Matthew 7:12)
- “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (Leviticus 19:18)
- “What is hateful to you, do not do to your fellow.” (Tobit 4:15)
Jesus clearly identified the golden rule as being at the heart of both Christian morality and the Jewish law and prophets that preceded him. Its repetition throughout the Bible underscores its significance as a guiding life principle.
What did the early Church fathers say about the golden rule?
The early Church fathers extensively wrote about the importance of the golden rule. Some key thoughts include:
- St Augustine: “This is the law and the prophets: treat others as you would want them to treat you. Never inflict suffering, but instead bear it with patience.”
- St. John Chrysostom: “Consider yourself, name yourself, and see that you never do what you blame in another.”
- St. Jerome: “If we see others doing wrong, we should reflect on ourselves, for we ourselves have been guilty of similar sins in the past.”
These influential early Christian writers emphasized living by the golden rule through self-reflection, patience, compassion, and recognition of our shared human frailty. They explained that it was the guiding principle for moral behavior laid down through both the Old and New Testaments.
How did Thomas Aquinas interpret the golden rule?
The seminal theologian St. Thomas Aquinas gave an important analysis of the golden rule in his writings. Key parts included:
- The golden rule has both a negative and a positive dimension. Negatively, it means avoiding doing harm to others. Positively, it means actively seeking their welfare through charity.
- It encapsulates the entire natural law, providing a summary of all ethics and morals.
- The rule is a universal precept applying to all people. No one desires harm or injustice upon themselves.
- It cultivates the virtues of wisdom, justice, charity, and the common good.
- The rule requires prudence and reflection to apply well in complex situations.
Aquinas believed the simplicity and universality of the golden rule made it a perfect Christian guide for moral thought and action. Its promotion of selfless love fulfilled Christ’s new commandment to “love one another” (John 13:34).
How do Catholics interpret the golden rule today?
Modern Catholic teaching continues to uphold the golden rule as a core Christian moral principle. Some major Catholic perspectives are:
- It expresses Christ’s new commandment to love others.
- It reminds us to think first of others’ wellbeing, not our own interests.
- It promotes the virtues of compassion, empathy, prudence and self-sacrifice.
- It applies to all human relationships and societies.
- It affirms the dignity and equality of all people.
- It discourages selfishness,Bias and abstraction.
Catholics are called to follow Christ’s example in generously living by the golden rule in all aspects of life – from individual relationships to global matters of justice and human rights.
How does the golden rule influence Catholic social teaching?
Modern Catholic social teaching heavily emphasizes the golden rule’s ethic of caring for others’ welfare and dignity. Some major connections include:
- Human dignity – The rule’s ethic of mutual love reflects how all humans are created in God’s image.
- Solidarity – It encourages identifying with others, empathy and universal brotherhood.
- Care for poor/marginalized – It reminds us to consider those less fortunate or suffering.
- Worker rights – The rule promotes just wages, conditions and treatment of workers.
- Human rights – Caring for the liberty and welfare of all aligns with the golden rule.
- Peace – Reciprocal compassion and non-violence echoes the rule’s ethic.
- Environmental care – Stewarding the earth honors the rule’s emphasis on communal good.
Catholic social teaching sees the golden rule as the measure of whether social, economic and political structures uphold human dignity, justice and the common good.
What are some examples of living the golden rule in everyday life?
There are many simple ways we can apply the golden rule in our daily lives and relationships, such as:
- Being generous, forgiving and helpful to friends and family as you would want them to be towards you.
- Taking care to treat colleagues, classmates and teammates with patience and respect.
- Expressing compassion and support when someone is having a difficult time in the way you would appreciate.
- Listening earnestly when someone needs to express their thoughts and feelings.
- Standing up for someone who is being mistreated or bullied.
- Being inclusive and welcoming to those who are new or outsiders.
- Tip generously and treat service staff as you would want to be treated in their shoes.
- Care for the natural environment and shared community spaces.
- Volunteer to help the poor, sick or disadvantaged in the spirit of service.
- Being a responsible, engaged citizen who cares for the common good of society.
Simple acts of love, empathy and moral responsibility lived each day are what build a truly just, charitable and Christian community.
How does the golden rule differ from other religious moral principles?
The golden rule expresses a moral maxim common to many faiths, with similar versions existing in Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism and other traditions. However, there are some subtle distinctive aspects in Christianity’s formulation:
- It is explicitly commanded by Jesus Christ and integral to his teachings on love, not just present in scripture.
- The positive emphasis on loving neighbours “as yourself” has a more active tone than simply avoiding harm.
- The backdrop of God’s unconditional love and grace in Christian teaching adds further context.
- There is an eschatological aspect pointed to the Kingdom of God and final judgment.
- It is situated in the context of Jesus’s radical command to love enemies too.
So while the golden rule’s expression of reciprocal and humane ethics is universal, in Christianity it is situated within the person of Jesus and the witness of God’s love revealed through him.
What are some golden rule examples from Jesus’ life?
Jesus embodied the golden rule throughout his ministry. Some examples include:
- Forgiving sinners – He forgave adulterers and thieves, desiring mercy for them as well as himself.
- Healing sick – He cured the sick and infirm in compassion, wanting ease for them as he would for himself.
- Inclusion of outsiders – Jesus welcomed prostitutes, tax collectors and other outcasts, desiring social inclusion.
- Washing disciples’ feet – He humbled himself to serve those beneath him with love and humility.
- Non-violence – Jesus did not return violence for violence when persecuted, promoting peace.
- Self-sacrifice – He gave his very life for humanity’s salvation out of love.
In all aspects of his ministry, Jesus lived and breathed the ethic of self-giving love for others that is embodied in the golden rule.
How can Christians follow the golden rule more faithfully?
Christians striving to follow the golden rule more faithfully might consider actions like:
- Consciously reflecting each day on treating others as you want to be treated.
- Examining your conscience to identify any biases, selfishness or anger towards particular groups.
- Considering how your purchasing choices and lifestyle affect others globally.
- Being generous with time and resources in supporting humanitarian causes.
- Speaking up for human rights and social reforms that uplift human dignity.
- Supporting equal rights and participation in society for all groups.
- Committing to non-violent conflict resolution at interpersonal and societal levels.
- Actively promoting tolerance, inclusion and solidarity within communities.
Putting the golden rule into action requires continual reflection, grace and the courage to live our relationships guided by selfless, universal love.
What are some golden rule Bible verses to reflect on?
Here are some key Bible passages about the golden rule that Christians can reflect and meditate on:
- “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.” (Matthew 7:12)
- “Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12:31)
- “Do to others as you would have them do to you.” (Luke 6:31)
- “Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” (John 13:34)
- “If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself,’ you are doing right.” (James 2:8)
- “Nobody should seek their own good, but the good of others.” (1 Corinthians 10:24)
- “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6:2)
Reflecting on these and other biblical passages can help Christians gain inspiration and guidance to better apply the golden rule with compassion and wisdom.
Conclusion
The golden rule – to treat others as you wish to be treated – holds a central place in Catholic faith and ethics. The simplicity and universality of its message of empathy and love has made it profoundly influential. It provides a yardstick for human dignity, justice and virtue across all relationships and societies. Jesus both taught and embodied it as the epitome of his new commandment to “love one another”. The golden rule is a guide and measure for all Christians striving to live moral lives of service to others, in the pattern and example of Christ.