Do I love me more?

We are compelled by God to love our neighbors as we love ourselves (Leviticus 19:18, Matthew 22:39). But what happens when we love ourselves more than we love others? This is a sign of pride. Regrettably, we find this in the Church, and this pride has impacted the racial divide we experience most Sunday mornings.

What is pride? I define pride as the love of self over anyone or anything else. When you exercise pride by loving yourself more than others, it leads to several traits that reflect negatively on you, and on the Church. One trait is self-centeredness. Loving yourself excessively can make you self-centered. You may prioritize your own needs, desires, and comfort above everything else, often disregarding the well-being of others. Another trait is a lack of empathy. When self-love dominates, empathy for others diminishes. You might struggle to understand their feelings, perspectives, or struggles because your focus remains inward. Or even worse, you’re not even interested in them.

Strained relationships can occur as a result. Loving yourself disproportionately can strain relationships such that people around you can feel disregarded, exploited, or undervalued. Healthy relationships thrive on mutual care and consideration. And ultimately, self love can easily lead to isolation. When you prioritize only your own happiness, you may distance yourself from others, missing out on meaningful connections.

Racial unity happens when we love others as we love ourselves. We give room for God to do a great work in us, and in the Church. May we avoid the sin of pride and allow the love of Christ to shine thoroughly in our hearts and lives.