The Reading Today
• Source Material: Mere Christianity
My Reflection
Today’s passage explores how universal love and compassion actually work in practice. Lewis argues that our affection for ourselves isn't based on having impressive qualities or a flawless character. In fact, we often dislike our own mistakes and flaws, yet we naturally continue to care about our own well-being simply because we are ourselves.
Lewis suggests that divine love operates in this exact same way—loving us despite our shortcomings—and that we are called to extend that same logic outward to others.
Reading this immediately brought to mind the character Mrs Doasyouwouldbedoneby from Charles Kingsley's The Water-Babies. She offers unconditional warmth and care to the water-babies not because they have earned it through good behavior, but simply because she embodies the Golden Rule: treating others with the same inherent care and grace we naturally desire for ourselves.
Why This Matters
It is easy to love people when they are pleasant or agreeable, but real compassion requires a deeper foundation. When we realise that we don't even require perfection from ourselves to wish for our own good, we can stop requiring perfection from others before offering them our kindness.
My Action for Today
Today, when I catch myself judging someone harshly or withholding kindness until it feels "earned," I will remind myself to apply the logic of self-love and treat them as I would wish to be treated.
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