WORD OF THE WEEK
I’M sure you know that February 14 is St Valentine’s Day. And I also think you may have noticed the price of flowers goes through the roof that week.
Do you know, though, who St Valentine was? There are many stories about Valentine and as such he is shrouded in myth.
One such tale is that the emperor Aurelius had imprisoned Valentine in 272 AD for continuing to marry Christian soldiers, despite royal decree (Aurelius needed them to fight his wars).
In prison, the bishop cured his jailer’s daughter of blindness and the pair fell head over heels in love (quite literally ‘love at first sight’.)
Ultimately, their desires were frustrated as the bishop was executed on February 14 the following year.
On the eve of his death, the condemned man was said to have sent a passionate letter to his beloved, signed simply ‘your Valentine’. Since then, February 14 has always been a day for lovers.
We express love in many different ways, from flowers to chocolates, undivided attention, little and big acts of service, physical affection, kindness and thoughtfulness.
The list could go on. When the Church chose to name Valentine as a saint it wasn’t because he sent a note before he was martyred signed “your Valentine” but because it is a story mirroring a response to God showing and sharing his love for us by sending his son Jesus.
Jesus, who through his ministry showed unconditional love, ultimately sacrificing his own life for us.
Let’s make St Valentine’s Day a day when you show someone you care, not necessarily by sending a card, but perhaps by doing an act of kindness or just by a kind word or a smile.
Showing love like that will make the world go round and make it a happier, safer and more inclusive space for all.