Oblate Program at Belmont Abbey, NC

The Golden Rule

The Golden Rule is a call to deep inner probing. Without self knowledge, without the inner journey, our sensitivity towards others is severely curtailed. All that is possible is to react on the level of the instinctual, allowing anxiety and fear to fuel anger that is either directed outward or driven deep within. If compassion or empathy are missing or perhaps underdeveloped, then others can be treated in a cruel and unjust manner without any qualms of conscience. Others are just objects, chess pieces to move around at will. Or if the pieces will not cooperate, then they are rejected and if possible, discarded. The less developed sensitivity towards others is, the deeper the reaction when they themselves are treated unjustly.

Br. Mark Dohle, OCSO
Holy Spirit Monastery

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