Wisdom 2:1, 12-22 / John 7:1-2, 10, 25-30
We know what the famous Golden Rule is. It is taught by religious teachers and can also be found in the Bible (Matthew 7:12; Luke 6:31)
The common phrasing is "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you". Putting it in another way, then it is "Do not do unto others what you do not want done unto you".
That rule applies in the normal and usual situations and circumstances of life.
However, there is an area where that rule does not apply or cannot be applied. That rule cannot be applied to the devil and his agents.
The fact is that evil does not have rules. We can't rationalise with evil nor can we come to an agreement with evil, such as, if we don't bother about it then it shouldn't bother about us. Evil does not go by that.
In the 1st reading, we see how the godless and evil people treat the virtuous and good people, when they say: Let us test him and cruelty and with torture, explore his gentleness, put his endurance to the test, condemn him to a shameful death.
There is no reason for them to do that but that is what evil is all about and what the agents of the devil will do to the good and virtuous people.
Similarly in the gospel, we heard of the intention to kill Jesus, even though He had not done anything wrong that He would have to pay for with His life. But such is the irrationality of evil intentions. There is no need for a reason to harm and kill the good and virtuous.
As we are confronted with these evil motives, we would be worried and anxious about what evil people will do to us and our hearts weighed down with fear.
But as the Responsorial Psalm puts it: The Lord is close to the broken-hearted.
Also, as we participate in the devotion of the Way of the Cross, let us ask Jesus to strengthen our faith as we stand firm against evil. Let us walk with Jesus along the Way of the Cross and we will be victorious over evil.