Do unto others as you would have them do unto you
Last evening at our weekly prayer meeting, one of our community members shared that the famous line in this week’s Gospel Luke 6: 27-38 ‘Do unto others as you would have them do unto you’ has saved him from many a sin. He went on to explain how on many occasions, the line has prompted him to reflect on incidents, tormenting him to go back and apologize for his behavior.
Surprisingly, Pope Francis, in his autobiography, Hope, shared similar sentiments, when his behavior has so agitated him that he had to seek out persons whom he believed he had wronged, to seek forgiveness. In some cases over the course of years.
This powerful testimony reminds us that true conversion and transformation are not abstract ideals but deeply personal, often painful processes. The Golden Rule—“Do unto others as you would have them do unto you”—is not just a moral principle; it is a catalyst for deep spiritual self-examination and renewal. When taken seriously, it challenges us to confront our past actions, acknowledge our failings, and seek reconciliation.
Like our community member and Pope Francis, we, too, may find ourselves tormented by the weight of unresolved wrongs. But this discomfort is not meant to condemn—it is the work of grace nudging us toward healing, restoration, and the rewiring of our hearts and minds. Every time we respond to this call by seeking forgiveness, we strengthen the neural pathways of humility, empathy, and love, making reconciliation and holiness a more natural part of who we are becoming in Christ.
I also have lived with regrets for my behavior—some I have been given the grace to apologize for, while others I must carry for the rest of my life. But what I have learned is that when the opportunity for reconciliation presents itself, we must not delay. Time is a gift, and we do not know how many chances we will have to make things right.
If a name or a moment from the past still weighs on our heart, consider it God’s gentle invitation to seek forgiveness, to restore a broken relationship, or at the very least, to pray for healing—both for ourself and the one we may have wronged. The pain of unresolved regret can harden us, but when we act with courage and humility, it becomes a pathway to grace and transformation. Don’t wait—let us take the step while we still have the time.
Friends, I have started a new membership program Emmaus Bookstore, an online bookstore where we read and discuss my library of holy books. The link to the bookstore follows Emmaus Bookstore LINK To give you a glimpse of what the bookstore entails, please look at the first post below