Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day. It's a day that so many people detest. Sometime's they are only kidding, but sometimes they are quite serious, while hiding it beneath the veil of humor. No one wants to spend their whole life alone, but some of us arent neccessarily "looking" for that partner either, we just live our days open to the possibility.

Saint Valentine, the priest after whom today is named, had been sentenced to death for marrying young lovers in secret, in a land where the catholic faith was underground. He was jailed next door to a woman, who found the love of God through Valentine and his ministry. On the day of his execution, Valentine left her a goodbye note, which he signed "Your, Valentine". The Feast was established by Pope Gelasius I, in 496 AD. In describing Valentine he said that he was among those "... whose names are justly reverenced among men, but whose acts are known only to God."

How appropriate. Isn't that a good way to define love? There are those people in our lives who we "name" as people we "love". Weather they be friends, lovers, partners, family, or whatever role they play. But siting them as people we love doesn't cut it, it's the ACTS that make it love, and often it's those acts that are known only to God. the sacrifices that we make for them, the hidden actions that the loved one will never know.

The love of God for us is reflected in our love for one another, which is an ontological reality that transcends race or creed, gay or straight, religion, or anything else. It's a reality that we all share weather we are partnered or single. Valentine's day is everyone's day because it's not about candy and flowers, or hallmark cards, or fancy dinners. It's about the sacrifice of a man in the name of God's love, which he shared with others. After all, this now famous "day for lovers" is named after a man who lived a life of sworn celibacy.