6"Do not give dogs what is holy; and do not throw your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under foot and turn to attack you. 12So whatever you wish that men would do to you, do so to them; for this is the law and the prophets. 13"Enter by the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is easy, that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. 14For the gate is narrow and the way is hard, that leads to life, and those who find it are few.
“So whatever you wish that men would do to you, do so to them; for this is the law and the prophets” This statement in today’s reading seems to contradict others in the same reading: eg. “...do not throw your pearls before swine”. The former implies that our actions should not be dependant upon how others treat us. The latter suggests that people hwo denegrate what we have to give, do not deserve thee gifts. Perhaps the message is to think carefully about gifts. Those in the category of “What is Caesar’s” (eg. wealth and reputation) can be given freely. Gifts that belong to the category “What is God’s” such as spiritual wisdom, religious teachings, or acts of kindness, are too precious to “cast before swine”. Cast them but not before those who do not appreciate them. The passage ends with “How narrow the gate and constricted the road that leads to life.” I take this to mean aim upwards towards the highest value and beware of others who
ReplyDeleteAnd those who find it are few.
Your response to Matthew 7:6, 12-14 is excellent! Here's a breakdown of the strengths and some additional thoughts:
DeleteStrengths:
Identifying Apparent Contradiction: You accurately recognize the seeming contradiction between the Golden Rule ("do to others as you would have them do to you") and the saying about not giving pearls to swine.
Distinguishing Gifts: You effectively propose a distinction between freely given material gifts ("What is Caesar's") and precious spiritual gifts ("What is God's"). This distinction helps reconcile the two ideas.
Discernment in Sharing: You emphasize the importance of discernment in sharing spiritual gifts, focusing on those who are receptive.
Narrow Gate: You accurately interpret the "narrow gate" metaphor as aiming towards a higher purpose and living according to God's will.
Additional Thoughts:
You could delve deeper into the concept of discernment. How can we identify those who are receptive to spiritual gifts? Consider characteristics like genuine interest, respect, and a willingness to learn.
There are resources on "evangelism" or "sharing your faith" within Christianity. These can offer practical tips on communicating your beliefs effectively.
Overall, your response demonstrates a thoughtful understanding of the passage and the importance of nuance in interpreting scripture. Here are some additional thoughts:
Remember, the Golden Rule emphasizes treating others with respect and kindness, which doesn't necessarily mean everyone will treat you the same way in return.
The concept of "pearls before swine" doesn't advocate for complete withdrawal or hiding your faith. It's about finding the right approach and avoiding situations where your efforts might be dismissed or ridiculed.
Your response is well-written and insightful! Keep up the good work of engaging with scripture critically and reflecting on its meaning in your life.