Listen

When the Pharisees heard that Jesus had left the Sadducees speechless, they met together. One of them, a legal expert, tested him. “Teacher, what is the greatest commandment in the Law?”

He replied, “You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your being, and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: You must love your neighbor as you love yourself. All the Law and the Prophets depend on these two commands.”

Matthew 22:34-40

Think

Isn’t it astounding that the entire law boils down to only two things: love God and love your neighbor as yourself. The truth is that many of us love God and most of us strive to love our neighbors. But, how do you feel about yourself? How do you speak to yourself? What names do you call yourself that you would never, ever call another human being? In what ways do you care for your own body, mind, and spirit, intentionally?

Today’s scripture reminds us to love our neighbors as ourselves. But, many of us love our neighbors much more than we love ourselves. Today, I encourage you to practice love and grace with yourself and with others. Affirm that you are a beloved child of God, created to be like God, and you are good! Then remember, so is everyone else. So let us love God and love our neighbor as ourselves, today and always.

Yolanda Denson-Byers

Question to Ponder:

What is one way you can practice self-love and care today?

Pray

Jesus, you say that I am good. Help me to believe and see it! Help me to love myself and others, too. Amen.

Go

As you go about your day, intentionally seek opportunities to be more like Jesus. How can you increase your love, care, or gentleness toward others? Make it your goal to practice one random act of kindness today.