Love of Others Begins with the Love of Self

 

In the We see as much as we Know column of the Catholic Times the priest writer tells the readers we need to love ourselves if we are to respect the dignity of others.

As the founder of Apple, Steve Jobs was known as a person who contributed greatly to the convenience of mankind by developing innovative products. But behind the scenes, there was also criticism that he was a proud and opinionated figure. He used unnecessary demeaning and abusive language, especially towards his staff, which made interpersonal relationships unsatisfactory. He even mentioned that his job put him under unnecessary pressure and stress to the point of needing drugs himself. He dies at age 56 of pancreatic cancer. 

 

Michael Jackson was a musician who tried to make the world a better place, as seen in the song 'Heal The World'. But did he love himself first? He said on a broadcast that he had plastic surgery because he "hated seeing himself becoming more and more like his father." Maybe he was rejecting the dark skin and appearance he inherited from his father. He died at the age of 50 of a heart attack caused by sudden respiratory failure. The cause of death was taking many medications for years of abnormal sleep patterns and health problems including stress-induced heart problems and insomnia.

There are many cases in the world where people do good things but fail to love themselves. Jesus repeats the words of Leviticus, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself" (Leviticus 19:18). In other words, to love your neighbor, you must first love yourself. How can I love myself? It is to be grateful for all that you have inherited from your parents and God and to take care of it, protect it, and make it grow. In particular, "life and physical health are precious assets entrusted to us by God" Taking care of one's life is having concern for our neighbor.

Many are those who don't drink or smoke and whose hobby is exercise, who are concerned with health so they can do what is necessary for a fruitful life and work for a better world. They are persons who also pass this on to others.

The Catechism teaches that even the bodies of the dead "are to be treated with respect and love." When one's own life is precious, the lives of others are also precious. In particular, those who can influence someone must show a good example by valuing themselves. For we are "directly or indirectly responsible for the evil we promote." 

For this reason, while explaining the commandment not to kill, the Catechism does not forget to emphasize the virtue of temperance. Excessive drinking, gluttony, excessive drug use, or stress “teach us to be guilty of the grave sin of endangering the safety of others and of oneself. The Bible warns that those who drink too much will not inherit the kingdom of God. (Gal 5:21) Maintaining oneself in good health through appropriate rest and moderation is the beginning of neighborly love.