Have you loved yourself lately? Why don’t you declare a “me” day? - Daily Bible Reflections August 22,2014

Memorial of the Queenship of the

Blessed Virgin Mary

 

THE ORDER OF LOVE

 

Jesus answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and the most important commandment. The second most important commandment is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as you love yourself.’”– Matthew 22:37-39

 

Growing up, I always thought that the proper order of life is this: Love God. Then love others. And only then, can you love yourself. For some reason, I thought that I should put myself last just because not doing so means that I’m being selfish. But looking at this passage again, I realized that the correct order of life should be this: Love for God is first and foremost. Loving God simply allows me to tap into a limitless source of grace. This in turn fuels me to give more love continuously — without running out of it.

       Love for self is crucial. Loving myself allows me to set a high standard on how I live life. The more love I experience, the happier I am. The happier I am, the better life I will lead.

       Love for others is the goal in life. Loving others allows me to become a flowing river of life. I become a channel of God’s love to the people and the world around me — bringing God’s love wherever I go. Orange V. Garcia (orange_garcia@hotmail.com)

 

Reflection: Have you loved yourself lately? Why don’t you declare a “me” day? Follow this formula: Pray — spend time with God alone. Eat — treat yourself to your favorite food. Love — do something special for someone else. Then slowly expand this “me” day to “every” day.

 

Lord, teach me to love myself so I can be more loving to others.

 

St. Andrew the Scot, pray for us.