WHEN Red Coats were pursued by Jacobites in 1689, one soldier made the death defying leap across the gorge at Killikrankie. He had faith that there was a better life on the other side. In modern day management speak he was ‘Jumping the Curve,’ that leap across the abyss from one culture or strategy to another with an upward trajectory.

How many of us have stood on that rock or curve with baggage weighing us down, feeling unable or unworthy to make that leap. Perhaps only one man has ever truly made that leap. He had a simple message for us, "love thy neighbour as thy self"; the same message for every religion. It’s not complex in its concept, but for mankind it has proved impossible.

Could we land on that rock at Killikrankie, or could we devise a new strategy and make it work? What a huge task for our leaders, to simply say "love thy neighbour as thy self". Conflict, selfishness and hate, could be replaced with empathy, love, and understanding. Self gain would still be part of our nature but the community would be secure.

The church community offers that starting point, that point of reference where we can at least consider the baggage weighing us down. Brought up in the 1950s and 1960s the Book of Common Prayer provides me with an anchor, a tradition, a culture that is reassuring and comforting, retaining the message "love thy neighbour as thy self."

Martin French, St John’s Anglican Church, Helsington