“Is there anyone among you who would hand his son a stone when he asked for bread?”  Matthew 7:9 

We are reminded in this reading to “treat others as you would like them to treat you”. It is not always easy to treat other people as we know that we should. We often put our own desires above the needs of others. We can behave in ways that are damaging and hurtful. 

So today, let us try harder to treat others as we would wish to be treated. Not only the people that we meet, but also those far away from us who nevertheless feel the impact of our choices and of the global systems in which we live and play our part. 

Let us remember that God who loves us is there to help and support us as we strive to be better and to create a fairer world in which all people can reach their full potential. 

Generous God, work through us we pray.  

As the tiny acorn becomes the mighty oak, may our small acts of love towards others grow, bringing hope of a world transformed.   

Amen.