"Which of these three, in your opinion, was neighbor to the robbers’ victim?” He answered, “The one who treated him with mercy.” Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.” Luke 10:36-37

Yesterday, my mom and I were talking about the recent retreat that I've been. I was telling her how refreshing it was and how I grew closer to God in that retreat. If there is any takeaway I will bring home it is to be forgiving, especially to myself.

I find it very difficult to forgive myself for all the wrong things I've done. I'll tell myself that I'm not good enough and I'm worthless because I wasn't able to do what should be done. What's sad is that nobody tells me that I'm such, it's just me. With this behavior, I'm also hard on other people. I am unforgiving for their insensitivity and their shortcomings. All of these because I am stubborn and hard on myself.

The retreat reminded me on how forgiving and loving God is. Despite of our sins and weaknesses, he still continues to accept us wholeheartedly. We are like the robber in the story of the Good Samaritan. We are beaten up, broken and almost lifeless. When we accept God's mercy and compassion, we will be able to get up and forgive ourselves. When we forgive ourselves, we will learn to love ourselves more. When we love ourselves more, we can love others more. 

As we receive God's mercy and love today, to every person we meet who are beaten up, broken and on the verge of giving up on life, let us do what he commands, "Go and do likewise."