Archbishop Gomez on The Golden Rule sand Virtue

Most Reverend José H. Gomez, S.T.D. Archbishop of San Antonio

Chutes and Ladders and the virtue of the golden rule

Some years ago, a very good book for dads came out — A Father’s Covenant, by Stephen Gabriel (HarperCollins, 1996). It consisted of a series of aphorisms and little promises that fathers could make regarding their relationships with their children, their spouses and God. One struck me as funny: “I will play Chutes and Ladders with enthusiasm!”

I liked it very much because it reminded me of how I used to play it in my childhood with my parents and my family. For me, it was very normal to play it, but now I thank my parents for making time to play it with us.

In many ways this promise is a great summary of the challenges facing Christian parents. As even the most devoted moms and dads can tell you, it is often hard to drum up the energy and enthusiasm to play games with their children after a long and demanding day.

I thought about this little promise as I was sitting down to reflect on the cardinal virtue of justice. The Catechism tells us that “justice is the moral virtue that consists in the constant and firm will to give their due to God and neighbor.” (no. 1807) That definition translates into a number of obligations in our personal relationships and social lives.

For parents, justice means giving children what they are “due” — that is, what they are entitled to. Among those things children are entitled to is their parents’ affectionate attention, and yes, their enthusiasm in playing games like Chutes and Ladders!

We are not used to thinking about justice in those terms. We are fortunate to live in a society founded upon a deep respect for principles of justice and human rights. We are always talking about justice, equality and rights — about fair wages, decent working conditions, due process and the like. All this shows the deep influence of the Gospel and Christian teaching on our nation’s founders, and on our laws and institutions.

As Americans, we understand the fundamental notions of social justice — that all people are created equal and that everyone has a God-given right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. These rights are what all men and women are “due” in justice.

Justice in society and in the world, however, begins in the human heart. It begins in our thoughts, attitudes, decisions and actions in our relationships with those nearest to us. Fighting injustices and promoting social justice is a duty for Christians — especially defending the rights of the most innocent among us. But there is also the justice we owe to our children, our spouses, other family members. There is also the justice we owe to our co-workers, employers, employees, neighbors and fellow citizens.

How do we look at other people, and how do we treat them? Justice demands that we see in others the image and likeness and even the presence of God. And justice demands that we treat them as sons and daughters of God, helping them to become the people that God wants them to be.

In our families — do we listen to our spouse and children with genuine concern? Are we grudging with our time, with our attention? Are we playing Chutes and Ladders with enthusiasm? These are all questions of justice. Those we live with are “due” nothing less than all our love. Justice demands that there be no unkind words, no disrespect, no ignoring of others’ opinions.

In the workplace, do we respect the dignity of others? Are we doing our work professionally and efficiently? Gossip poisons many workplaces, not to mention much our civic life and media. Again, talking badly about others is a question of justice. We need to have great respect and care for the reputations of brothers and sisters.

Our Lord’s golden rule — “do unto others as you would have them do unto you” — is a good benchmark for examining whether we are being just in our relationships. (Mt 7:12; Lk 6:31)

We grow in this virtue of justice by cultivating a grateful spirit. St. Paul used to say, “What have you that you have not received?” (1 Cor 4:7)

Everything we have, beginning with our life itself, is a gift of God. This should fill us with a child’s sense of love and joy. And for this God gives us “piety,” a gift of the Holy Spirit that enables us to pay worship to our Father and to love others as God loves them.

“Owe no one anything, except to love one another,” St. Paul said. (Rom 13:8) May we strive this week to grow in piety and justice, to give to God and our neighbors the love they are due.