§ 3. On Christian Self-Love.
38. May a Christian love himself also?
Yes, he may and ought to love himself; for Christ says: 'Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.'
39. In what does Christian self-love consist?
Christian self-love consists in being, above all things, solicitous for the salvation of one's soul.
40. Why must we be solicitous, above all things, for the salvation of our soul?
1. Because the soul has been created to the likeness of God, has been ransomed with the precious blood of Jesus Christ, and sanctified by the grace of the Holy Ghost; and 2. Because on the salvation of the soul depends our eternal welfare (Matt. xvi. 26).
41. What are we to do in order to secure the salvation of our soul?
1. We must carefully avoid sin, and every occasion of sin; 2. If nevertheless we have sinned, we must not delay to do sincere penance; and 3. We must earnestly endeavor to practise virtue, and to do good works.
1. 'They that commit sin and iniquity are enemies to their own soul' (Tob. xii. 10). 2. 'Delay not to be converted to the Lord, and defer it not from day to day; for His wrath shall come on a sudden, and in the time of vengeance He will destroy thee' (Ecclus. v, 8, 9). 3. 'Wherefore, brethren, labor the more, that by good works you may make sure your calling and election' (2 Pet. i. 10).
42. May we also love our body and temporal goods in a Christian manner?
Yes, we may, and are also bound to love, in a Christian and supernatural manner, our body and temporal goods, as health, property, and good reputation.
43. When do we love our body in a Christian manner?
When we love it, 1. Because it is the dwelling-place of our soul, and her instrument for the service of God;
