Help us to keep your law of love

Help us to keep your law of love

When I read this Collect for The First Sunday after Trinity, I was immediately drawn to the phrase, “Help us to keep your law of love” — no real surprise there then, I usually go for the phrase about “love”. Those who follow me on Twitter, may have noticed a tweet from me on Friday wondering if I had the courage to write the post I was thinking about for today. My thoughts were drawn to something very personal. Well, I’ve decided to write that post, and, if you’re reading this, you’ll already know, I even managed to publish it.

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When I think of the “law of love”, I think of the two commandments that Jesus said are the greatest. When asked which commandment is the greatest, Jesus answered:

“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.” This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: “You shall love your neighbour as yourself.” On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.’

Matthew 22:37-40

I have a bit of a problem with a part of that, the second commandment in particular. The first is less problematic for me. I know that I do fall short of the ideal sometimes, and probably far more often than I would want to. But the second is less easy.

In theory I would have no problem with loving my neighbour as myself. The problem is, I don’t think they would want to be loved like that. Because I don’t particularly love “me” very much at all. So in reality, I think, hope, I love my neighbour far more than I love myself. Perhaps I need to turn that second commandment around a little, and learn to love myself as my neighbour.

We are all created in the image of God; and I’m sure, as such, he would want us to love and accept ourselves for who we are. And I am trying. I am trying to think more positively about myself, and regain some of the confidence I had in my youth. The daily emails from the Winners Circle, some of which I’ve posted recently, help a little. Prayer helps a lot more. Maybe the fact that I’m able to post about it on here, as publicly as this is, is a good indication to how far I’ve come. Some months ago I would have barely even admitted it to myself. Your prayers would be appreciated.

God of truth,
help us to keep your law of love
and to walk in the ways of wisdom,
that we may find true life
in Jesus Christ your Son. Amen.

Additional Collect for The First Sunday after Trinity
is Copyright © The Archbishops Council