Jesus doesn’t simply say love your neighbor. Jesus says, “love your neighbor as you love yourself” (Matthew 22:39). If we don’t love ourselves, how can we claim to love our neighbor as we love ourselves?
For so many years, I have made loving myself someone else’s job, instead of taking on this holy task myself. Now, however, I have entered a chapter of my life where this work is my singular focus. In every moment, I am committed to the practice of loving myself.
Some days are better than others. Some moments I have to remind myself that I am worthy of deep, abiding love. But here’s what I’ve learned: the more love I lavish on myself, the more love I have to share with others.
I think this is what Jesus intended when he said to love others as we love ourselves. Jesus knew that love multiplies. It does not diminish. It always finds a way and the more we nurture it, the more we have to give.
This message is excerpted from “Falling in love with me” by Rozella Haydée White in the January 2018 Café online magazine.
Copyright © 2025 Women of the ELCA. Inquiries for permission to reproduce should be directed to [email protected]. If you enjoy this resource, Donate Now.