Pastoral Devotion for February

Love Yourself
[One of the scribes asked him] “Which commandment is the greatest of all?” Jesus answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ 3The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:28-31
Next to the commandment to love God with our whole heart, soul, mind and strength, this is the second greatest commandment. Which begs the question, when is the last time you considered what it means to love yourself?
On the surface, I am sure we would all say we love ourselves. But if that were truly the case, why is it that so many people suffer from low self-esteem or have an unhealthy self-image? We live in a society of comparisons. When one person is judged against another, someone must fall short. The world cannot wait to push you aside. The devil is always ready to steal away whatever remains of your good character. So, how does one who suffers this fate learn to love their self? First, remember the greatest commandment. Love God.
Love the God in whose image you are fearfully and wonderfully made. Love him for his mercy and grace. Love God for the blessing of each new day and for the life he has given you. Love the God who first loved and will always love you. Through him you will find love not only for yourself, but your neighbor as well.
Prayer: Holy God, thank you for the love you have for me. Help me to share such love with others. Amen.