Happy Valentines Day!!!

Saint Valentine, the Priest who's name we commemorate on this day was supposedly executed by Claudius II (also known as Claudius Gothicus) who was persecuting Christians in Rome during his rule. Among the charges against Valentine, he was marrying Christian couples which is why his execution is linked with this Romantic day which makes the card, flower, restaurant, entertainment and candy industries a few extra billion dollars worldwide.

We're not really sure if this is the only Valentine that was traditionally celebrated, because as it turns out, there were many "Valentine's" executed back in the day. As a matter of fact, the Catholic Church removed him from the Catholic calendar of saints for universal liturgical veneration in 1969 because of the lack of clarity. All that we really know is that this one Valentine was buried on February 14 at Via Flaminia north of Rome. Pope Gelasius I in speaking of Valentine and others who are remembered in feasts, "... whose names are justly reverenced among men, but whose acts are known only to God."

And so we have Valentines Day. I remember in elementary school, giving a valentine (an actual card, usually heart shaped) to everyone in the class with the help of the teachers... even the boys... ugh! And receiving valentines from everyone in the class including the boys~! I think they were trying to make sure that nobody felt left out??? Sick, man!

Of course as we grew, we switched the giving of valentines to just girls, then later, just a few girls, and then later still, just one girl ~ per year (although I know some guys who gave more). And for the last 25 years, I have given only one valentine to one woman (I'm including the couple of years we celebrated Valentines Day before we were married). For those of you who don't know, Joy is my one and only Valentine until the Lord returns because I highly doubt we will be celebrating Valentines Day in Heaven :-)

I can't help but think about the hurting people on a day like today... The ones who won't receive a card maybe even if they gave one... The ones who don't have anyone even in mind to give one to or who may be too frightened to give one... The husband or wife who are in a difficult situation right now, waking up not knowing whether it is safe to say it --- "happy valentines day" or not. Maybe one of them touched the other one and the touch was not reciprocated (returned or received)... The widow or the widower walking down the street watching the other couples holding hands and feeling especially empty on this day... etc...

If you are one of those and even if you are not, allow me to propose this thought to you. If Saint Valentine really is a Priest who gave his life so that Christian couples could be married in the sight of God, then he is a Priest who had a heart after God and was very much one who followed the example of Christ. Jesus gave His life because God loved the world so much that He sent His only son, Jesus Christ into the world so that whoever believes in him will not perish but will have eternal life. God is Love and our Love is made complete in Jesus. Jesus is everyones ultimate Valentine!

All the love that you need for eternity is available through Jesus, the one who binds up the broken hearts and fills us with hope and joy. This can be a great Valentines Day for all who put their trust in Jesus. Happy Valentines Day!