Jesus taught us to love God and our neighbour as ourself. He knew that nothing is more dear to us than ourselves – and therefore how we cherish ourselves is how we ought to cherish others! Of course, modern psychology has alerted us to the fact that sometimes we don’t love – but even hate – ourselves! But the basic principal remains: most people, most of the time, take sufficient care of themselves to ensure that they remain in existence and try to have as good a life as they can. That is at least how we should also treat others. Elsewhere he uses the famous “Golden Rule”, found in other religions like Chinese Confucianism: always treat others as you would like them to treat you. Of course, knowing such a rule is one thing – carrying it out every day is quite another! For that we need prayer and grace…
Collect for the Last Sunday after Trinity
Blessed Lord,
who caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning:
help us so to hear them,
to read, mark, learn and inwardly digest them
that, through patience, and the comfort of your holy word,
we may embrace and for ever hold fast
the hope of everlasting life,
which you have given us in our Saviour Jesus Christ,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen.