One of the most difficult jobs is managing a residential building or a subdivision. Why? You deal with people with different personalities, different value systems, different stories, and different backgrounds. Hence, misunderstandings, conflicts and even fights among neighbors are part of the day to day realities of someone who manages these residential communities. 

In tomorrow’s Gospel, Jesus gives one of the most difficult commandments: Love of God goes hand in hand with love of neighbor, as yourself. This question was brought about because there about 613 commandments. 

Why then, is loving oneself is important to love our neighbor. As the saying goes, “You cannot give something you do not have.” Hence:

• First, if we love ourselves, we can forgive ourselves. None of us live perfect lives. We all have committed mistakes, made wrong decisions, became all knowing and arrogant and made friends with the wrong people. Eventually we realize the wrong we have done and eventually forgive ourselves. When we can forgive ourselves, we can also forgive others.
• Second, if we love ourselves, we are happy and when we are happy, we can also be happy for others. On the other hand, an unhappy person will try to pull people down as if making other people miserable will make an unhappy person… happy?
• Third, if we love ourselves, we accept ourselves – our strength and our weakness. This should also make us accept others – their strength and their weaknesses.

Forgiveness, happiness and acceptance.

If we look at the world today, there is so much chaos, discrimination, fighting and misunderstanding. We have forgotten to be a neighbor because all our lives are intertwined. Yet, whatever happens in the outside is only a reflection of what is in the inside. Hence we have to love ourselves before we can lover our neighbor and love God: Forgiveness, Happiness and Acceptance.