In Matthew 22:8, we read that the wedding is prepared, but the guests are not worthy. But what does this passage really mean?
At that time, the Pharisees were confused about how to serve God due to the multiplicity of laws. Jesus then summarized everything in two main commandments: love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength—and love our neighbors as ourselves (Mark 12:30-31).
Why did Jesus highlight how to love our neighbor? What does it mean to truly love ourselves? How many times have you looked in the mirror and felt truly beautiful? How many times have you thought, “Wow, look what I achieved”? How many times have you given gifts or thanked God for being who you are? Or do you often feel incapable, undeserving or that you haven’t done more than your obligation? How many times have you thought that no one liked you, or that you have felt alone?
Unfortunately, this type of feeling is so normalized that, in Brazil, the suicide rate increased by 43% in 2019, according to government data. Why? Our brain has a survival instinct that is activated when it perceives a threat to life. Therefore, “our brain is prepared to make immediate decisions in cases where we identify an imminent danger” (Arrico, 2022). So, what leads a person to break the “system” of protection of their mind? Perhaps, especially among young people, low self-esteem, which makes them depreciate themselves and feel incapable and out of place, is what is reflected in these alarming numbers.
Therefore, Jesus, when saying that we should love our neighbors as ourselves, taught us more than empathy and charity. He taught us that we will only achieve these elevated feelings by first caring for our own thoughts and hearts. And it is through our Saturday lessons—especially those about Anthroposynaisthima—(and, if needed, complemented with therapy or therapeutic processes) that we will reach the fullness of the name of God through “the feelings of Charity; Enthusiasm; Peace of the Spirit; Resignation to withstand adversities; Benignity; Compassion; Faith; Tenderness and Self-control” (Sealed Book of Moses 4:17), so that, through self-knowledge, we can reach the level of loving ourselves in order to know how to love others. We need to understand that self-love is fundamental to loving others.
The Sealed Book of Moses, chapter 5, verse 33, differentiates pity from empathy: it is wanting for others the greatest good that we have, or that we want to have; it is the way that God indicates for us to love our neighbor, that is, once again, God repeats that true love for others is wanting others to have the best that we deserve. From this context, imagine a dinner in your honor with two tables: one with the best food, fine china, crystal, and silver cutlery, and the other with plastic plates and leftover food. Which table do you deserve?
Friends, we cannot have empathy if we do not believe that we deserve the best, if we don’t believe in our ability and value. We must love ourselves as God created us, taking care of our imperfections so that fear and insecurity do not overcome our self-love. Let us not be ashamed to ask for help when necessary, to seek therapy, and practice self-care. Let’s not be afraid to appear confident. Remember: you matter! Your mental health matters! God loves you as you are! We deserve the best—and the best is what our neighbors deserve too!
Bibliographic reference:
ARRICO, Julia Marquez. How the brain works in critical situations. 2022. Available at: https://amenteemaravilhosa.com.br/funcionamento-do-cerebro-em-situacoes-criticas/. Accessed on: 19 Feb. 2025.
Anthroposynaisthima: this is a new word formulated by Prophet Mauricio Berger. The main objective of anthroposynaisthima is to enable us to have conscious command of our emotions and feelings in a way that allows us to control ourselves in all situations. The result will bring freedom from the effects of physically and spiritually destructive negative emotions.
