Friday, August 12, 2011

Do you agree with St. Gregory views on Love of Self?

St. Gregory the Great objects to the expression "charity towards self", on the plea that charity requires two terms, and St. Augustine remarks that no command was needed to make man love himself. Obviously, St. Gregory's objection is purely grammatical; St. Augustine's remark applies to natural self-love. As a matter of fact, the precept of supernatural love of self is not only possible or needed, but also clearly implied in Christ's command to love our neighbour as ourselves. Its obligation, however, bears in a vague manner on the salvation of our soul (Matthew 16:26), the acquisition of merits (Matthew 6:19 sqq.), the Christian use of our body (Romans 6:13; 1 Corinthians 6:19; Colossians 3:5). and can hardly be brought down to practical points not already covered by more specific precepts.

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