LOVE, according to St Thérèse of Lisieux, "is the vocation which includes all others; it's a universe of its own, comprising all time and space - it's eternal." This is the core message in tomorrow's gospel reading, where we are told that, as well as loving God, we must also love our neighbour as ourselves. The neighbour is not just that friendly person living next door or across the road but anyone who is in trouble or in need. The parable of the Good Samaritan leaves us in no doubt on that point. But experience shows that we are experts when it comes to moderating love's challenging demands when it suits us.
It is important to recognise that love, understood in these terms, is a powerful and dynamic force for good in the world. Almost 40 years ago in Northern Ireland an ecumenical group from the main churches met to seek a solution to the catastrophe that was unfolding all around. One young person, a student, said: "It's simple: love your neighbour as yourselves."
That, sadly for many in Northern Ireland, seemed not to be an option and a terrible price is still being paid for that failure. But it is not a failure peculiar to Northern Ireland: it is a basic flaw in the human character which opens the door not only to sectarianism and bigotry but also to racism and a whole range of social injustices. Consider, for example, the status of the Travelling community today whose children's educational needs have suffered in the recent Budget. Will anyone march for them? While there have been heroic efforts made on their behalf in the past, led mainly by religious orders, many people find it difficult to be to them what Christ calls us to be because we cannot bear the cost socially or materially.
We are to love our neighbours as ourselves. Loving ourselves is not as easy as we might think. Some, conscious of past failures or personal inadequacies, feel unworthy. Others will perhaps think that there is an element of smugness or even a lack of humility in doing so. But loving oneself in the Christian understanding is not about self-adulation or pretending to be something we aren't. It has nothing to with personal achievement. We are to love ourselves because we are made in the image of God; our lives are part of God's gift to creation, each one an absolutely unique and gifted individual.
This is demonstrated in the way Jesus honoured people, even those who had failed terribly. For him everyone deserved to be valued and respected and he underlined their individuality by telling them that even the hairs on their heads were numbered. Modern science has taken us much further with the discovery of fingerprinting, voice-printing and of course DNA. When the psalmist reflected long ago that he was "fearfully and wonderfully made", little did he realise just how wonderful.
We live in a world of different values where self-esteem is easily undermined by expectations imposed by commercial and other interests. We are often judged by who we are or how we look. A well-known cosmetic firm encourages people to buy its products "because you're worth it". There is nothing wrong with people taking care of their appearance - indeed, it is important to feel good about oneself in that way - but the Christian gospel tells us we are worth much more and for far better reasons. It tells us we are special no matter how humble our job or how modest our lifestyle; that we have something to contribute, whatever our age or experience; that we are valued as human beings, whatever our race or religion. We are told to love ourselves - not because of who we are but because of whose we are, none other's than the God who is love.
"Love is the greatest thing that God can give us; for himself is love: and it is the greatest thing we can give God; for it will also give ourselves, and carry with it all that is ours." - Bishop Jeremy Taylor.
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