In recent years, conflicts and disagreements in the Holy Land have invited our prayers for peace for the people living there. Today's Genesis reading, describing how Abram and Lot agreed to go different ways and settle in different parts of that same land, is further invitation to reflection and prayer. Abram very generously gave the choice to Lot: and Lot, seeing the richness and fertility of the Jordan plain, chose that 'best' section for himself and his people. But Abram's generous behaviour, and his trust in the Lord, then led to the Lord's great promise to Abram, that He would give this land to him and his innumerable descendants for ever. And this inheritance now is ours, as we're counted among those innumerable descendants of our "father in faith", Abraham. His generous attitude, long before the time of the Law and the Prophets, conforms with what's been called the "golden rule" of human and godly behaviour, found in many cultures and religions. In the Gospel, Jesus voices it as "always treating others as you would like them to treat you". But not so many people go through that narrow gateway and hard road that leads to life. Being our 'father in faith', may Abraham also inspire his descendants to great generosity in the Lord's service and in service to our fellow- pilgrims on life's road.