“We are made to love one another. It is a basic human need to love others,” emphasises His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia in a recorded video message, offering a different perspective from the emerging trend of our time, which directs people inward, toward themselves.
“Love yourself, but in the right way,” His Eminence stresses, adding that “the right way is to be giving, not to be afraid to reach your limits, not to be afraid of being hurt or humbled.”
“Learning to love others, beyond yourself, is what allows you to find your true self,” concludes the Archbishop of Australia in his most recent message of spiritual edification and benefit, shared via the Instagram social media platform, messages that have gained wide resonance, especially among young people.
Below follows the related post with the full message of His Eminence Archbishop Makarios:
I hear it said from time to time – that a person must love themselves. There is a trend in our era that directs people toward this idea: “Love yourself,” they say. “Do things for yourself.”
I believe that today’s person has been misled. Because yes, we do need to love ourselves – but first, we must understand who we are, and what our “self” really is.
We are made to love others. It is a fundamental human need to love another person. And when we do not love our neighbour, it means we are depriving ourselves of a vital part of our very being and its proper function
Therefore, when we limit love only to ourselves, that is, only to receiving, then we are essentially being unjust to ourselves. Love yourself, but do it the right way. The right way is to be giving, not to be afraid to go beyond your limits, not to be afraid of being hurt or humbled. To learn to love the other, beyond yourself, is what enables you to find your true self.”