addicted to self?
“He who seeks only himself brings himself to ruin, whereas he who brings himself to nought for Me discovers who he is.” —Matthew 10:39
To be disciples of Jesus, we must love Jesus more than we love our fathers, mothers, sons, or daughters (Mt 10:37). To some this seems difficult, but many other people feel so upset with their family members that it wouldn’t be hard to love them less.
However, to be disciples of Jesus, we must do something else which is almost unthinkable. We must deny our very selves (Lk 9:23), lose ourselves (Lk 9:24), and bring ourselves “to nought” for Jesus (Mt 10:39). We all are naturally addicted to self. It is impossible for us to stop our chronic narcissism. Yet nothing is impossible with God (Lk 1:37).
Only love can break the spell of self. The Lord proved His love for us by dying on the cross (Rm 5:8). The love of Christ crucified is the only key which can unlock our prisons of selfishness. Fix your eyes on Jesus (Heb 12:2) crucified (see 1 Cor 2:2). Totally give yourself to Him. Then say: “I have been crucified with Christ, and the life I live now is not my own; Christ is living in me” (Gal 2:19-20).
Prayer: Father, may I love myself (Lk 10:27) and hate my addiction to self.
Promise: “Wash yourselves clean! Put away your misdeeds from before My eyes; cease doing evil; learn to do good. Make justice your aim: redress the wronged.” —Is 1:16-17
Praise: St. Henry and his wife St. Cunegunda are both canonized saints, modeling the graces available in the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony.
Reference:
Rescript: "In accord with the Code of Canon Law, I hereby grant the Nihil Obstat for the publication One Bread, One Body covering the time period from June 1, 2026, through July 31, 2026. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio November 12, 2025"
The Nihil Obstat ("Permission to Publish") is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted the Nihil Obstat agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.