Wednesday's Word

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Tomorrow is Valentine’s Day. Some of you will thank me for reminding you. I think you probably already knew. The one most shocked would be the third century priest which by legend became St. Valentine. The legend has it when the Emperor of Rome ordered young men not to get married for he felt being married took away from their ability to be soldiers; Valentine continued to perform weddings and was martyred. True or not, Valentine would not recognize the cupids, hearts, and lace of Valentine’s Day today.

Easter comes early this year which means the Gospel lesson this Sunday contains the best known verse in the New Testament, “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.” This great statement of love comes on the Sunday following Valentine’s Day.

Valentines Day may celebrate love but it doesn’t teach us anything about love. But John 3:16 tells us love is much more than feelings, God’s way is always one of giving.

Like the legend of Valentine, love involves sacrifice. It is getting out of one’s own little world to make a world of difference in another’s world. The love God gave us in Christ makes a difference not only for today but forever. The Good News of John 3:16 is that by believing we can claim that eternal gift for ourselves as well as share it with others.

May God bless you and yours