February 15, 2009
Valentines
This is Valentine’s Weekend and lots of stores were hoping to increase some sales, though many people are learning that the home-made card and the “I’ll wash the dishes for a month” certificate and other at-home treats have become quite fashionable in these tough economic times.
Valentine’s Day is a a wonderful moment in our culture (though the religious connection to Saint Valentine has long faded). It’s a time when people remember that they are loved and that they are called to show expressions of their love for others--not a bad thing to do in the midst of the bleak month of February.
So let me take a moment to tell you that I love you, the people of Saint Brigid's family. I regret that I can’t send each and every one of you a personal valentine this weekend, and this bulletin column is a poor substitute for that, yet it is true that I do love you and continue to pray for you all each day.
As for Saint Valentine, well, there are conflicting indicators of when and where he lived and what he did in life. He seems to have been a priest in Rome (or not), or a bishop in Terni (or not), or a martyr in Africa (or not). Though he apparently lived in the days of the Roman Empire, his life is first written about in the 1400’s. Though the details might be suspect, the story is instructive. The story is that he was a priest who aided Christian couples to get married. The emperor Claudius II had made it illegal for anyone to aid Christians, so Valentine was arrested and dispatched in some nasty way.
So with gratitude that Claudius II is not longer lurking about, I’m glad to I’m planning on celebrating the 25th and 50th Wedding Jubilees with couples in our parish this weekend. The church continues to aid Christian couples, not only in getting married, but in growing in their marriage love. And Valentine’s Weekend is a fine opportunity to do this.
To those who are married, whether it’s for 50+ years or anything less, I offer you congratulations and offer prayers for your marriage, that you may continue to grow in God’s love this Valentine’s Day.
