Second Sunday after Trinity

Galatians 5: 13-25 Luke 9: 51-end

It is so easy when in an argument to start hurling insults at one another. Before long the insults get to be harder hitting. But when the argument gives rise to actual striking someone then we are entering into a completely different ball game. Someone is going to be hurt and possibly with them ending up with injuries leading to medical treatment or a stay in hospital. All of this resulting from what was at first nothing more than a silly disagreement.

The reading from Galatians contains the sentences, “For the whole law is summed up in a single commandment. ‘You shall love your neighbour as yourself’”. If we truly love one another as ourselves then major arguments should seldom arise. If we look at ourselves it is probably fairly true to say that we do love ourselves. In our own eyes there is no other like us. Applying that same truth to others should not be too difficult really. Even if we have not met them before. To love a complete stranger should not be too difficult because we know nothing about them, we have no information which would give rise to any feeling of dislike towards them. Here we are looking at love based on like or dislike.

Not long ago I was speaking with someone who had read, ‘The Name of the Rose, by Umberto Eco’. I have not read the book or seen the film, and from what I was told I am unlikely to do so. But my understanding is that it contains a lot of information about how people treated each other in the thirteenth century. It would read very much as going against the Second Great Commandment of love your neighbour.

The Rabbi Hillel sums up Jewish law in the command, ‘what is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour’. This should be the base rule of all that we engage in and in all that we do. Our eyes need to be open to see for ourselves the outcome of all of our actions. There is a saying that when a butterfly wags her wings in Outer Mongolia a draught may be felt here. Everything that we do has a reaction. Care has to be taken that the reaction is the desired reaction and not one that has repercussions.

Much of the trouble we see about is, either locally or internationally, the result in this lack of love for one another. The rules and laws of our land are based upon this premise. From speeding and theft to murder and fraud, all are based on love for our neighbour, and are brought about by a breakdown in that love. If we consider the effect that such actions are having on others, and if we place ourselves at the receiving end, would we continue with whatever it is that we are doing?

We are told that the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. There is no law against these things. These are the qualities that the Holy Spirit gives us. It is up to us to use these in our relationships one with another. Cast to one side hatred and envy. Instead take up the law given to us through the Holy Spirit, the law of love.

Collect for the Second Sunday after Trinity

Almighty God,

whose blessed apostles Peter and Paul

glorified you in their death as in their life:

grant that your Church,

inspired by their teaching and example,

and made one by your Spirit,

may ever stand firm upon the one foundation,

Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,

who is alive and reigns with you,

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and for ever.