This week is the parable of the wise man who built his house on the rock and the foolish man who built his house on sand. When the storms came one house stood firm and the other collapsed (Matt 7:21-29). By using house building as an analogy for decision making and rock and sand as an analogy for foundations, Jesus is saying that our ethical thinking is only as good as the principles that underlie them. Aristotle's ethics are based on the conduct of a citizen in a democratic city state. He said that it was the understanding of his role in society that taught a person how to behave. Kant's ethics are based on universal rules of what was right and wrong - if something was right in one situation it was right in every situation. Christian ethics are based on the law of love. This is a constant decision to look for what is best for the other person. It is a determined act of will rather than simply a feel good factor. It is often uncomfortable and not always easy. If you think of other people and not simply of yourself then you are building your house on rock.

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