Episode 2657: The Subtlety of Self-Love - Nightly Episode

“O my God, at the end of this day I thank You most heartily for all the graces I have received from You. I am sorry that I have not made better use of them. I am sorry for all the sins I have committed against You. Forgive me, O my God, and graciously protect me this night. Blessed Virgin Mary, my dear heavenly mother, take me under your protection. St. Joseph, my dear Guardian Angel, and all you saints of God, pray for me. Sweet Jesus, have pity on all poor sinners, and save them from hell. Have mercy on the suffering souls in purgatory. Amen.”
The Subtlety of Self-Love
Tonight, we delve into a common human struggle: the subtle influence of self-love. We'll explore how this often-hidden motive can hinder our spiritual growth and how, with God's grace, we can overcome it.
St. Bridget of Sweden, a mystic and saint, had a profound devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. She addressed Our Lady as "You are My Mother, the Mother of Mercy, and the consolation of the souls in Purgatory." This beautiful title highlights Mary's compassionate nature and her role as a powerful intercessor.
Mary, as the Mother of God, understands the depths of human weakness and the power of divine mercy. She intercedes for us before her Son, helping us to overcome our sins and imperfections.
Fr. John Croiset, a Jesuit priest, offered a keen insight into the human heart: "It is only too true that people who are not influenced in their actions by self-love are very rare, and that the difference between spiritual people and those who are not so is that in the latter self-love acts without disguise, while in the former it is less visible and somewhat better disguised. If people wished to take the trouble to examine into the true motives of the most of their actions which they think have least defects, they would discover that self-love is the most powerful motive, that it puts on a hundred disguises and prevents the fruit of their actions."
Fr. Croiset's words remind us that self-love can be a subtle and insidious force. It can disguise itself as noble motives, making it difficult to recognize. However, with God's help, we can learn to discern its influence and root it out of our hearts.
Overcoming Self-Love
To overcome self-love, we must cultivate the virtues of humility, detachment, and self-denial. By practicing these virtues, we can gradually purify our intentions and align them with God's will.
Humility: Recognizing our limitations and dependence on God.
Detachment: Letting go of material possessions and worldly desires.
Self-denial: Sacrificing our own comfort and convenience for the sake of others.
Conclusion
As we conclude this episode, let us turn to Mary, our loving Mother, and ask for her intercession. May she help us to overcome the influence of self-love and grow in holiness.
Conclusion Prayer
O Mary, Mother of God and our Mother, we entrust ourselves to your maternal care. Help us to purify our hearts and to love God and neighbor with all our hearts. Intercede for us, that we may be freed from the bonds of self-love and live a life pleasing to God. Amen.