Today's Gospel: Mark 12:28-34 The Greatest Commandment sounds very straightforward and simple. Love God, love others, and love yourself. Ok. I love God. I love my neighbor. Got it. Wait. There was a third part hiding in there. To love my neighbor, I have to love myself. Love myself. Sure. That’s simple too. Or is it? This one requires a little self-reflection. How do I love myself? Do I recognize but forgive my mistakes and failings? Do I expect and demand more of myself that I do of others? Do I treat myself gently with mercy and kindness? Do I feel like I’m deserving of unconditional love? There are no easy answers to those questions. At times I find it more difficult to love myself than it is to love others. I know myself better than I know anyone else, so I’m deeply aware of my failings, faults and shortcomings. I’ll admit to not being able to treat myself gently when I make a mistake or fail to finish something I’ve promised to someone else. God calls us to love. To love Him, ourselves and others. Jesus gives us unconditional love simply because we are a Child of God. Do we grant ourselves that same unconditional love?

Ponder:

Do I love myself unconditionally as God calls me to do? What steps do I need to take to show myself love and caring?

Pray:

Lord, help me love myself the way that You love me so that I may love others as You call me to do.
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About the Author

Lisa Henley Jones

Lisa Henley Jones

Lisa Henley Jones is a wife, mom, native Texan, and parish communications director. She enjoys reading, walking, going on date nights, and cheering on her kids in their activities. As a social media consultant, Lisa teaches Catholic parishes to engage, inspire, and evangelize on social media. Find her blog at Of Sound Mind & Spirit and her social media course at Parish Social Media.