The Love of God

Hello ladies!!

As the month of love and romance comes to a close, I wanted to reflect on the true love we should be searching for every day of the year.

St. Valentine's Day was February 14th and it often reminds people of hearts, candy, flowers, chocolates, and sweethearts.  Or, it could remind one of their single status.  Then it's just another day to curl up on the couch all by yourself with a bowl of chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream (or whatever flavor suits your fancy) and watch your most favorite chick flick.  Right??

Well, as our society travels further and further away from God's special plan and design, yes, many people just think of Valentine's Day this way.  Honestly, though, it should remind us of so much more.

Saint Valentine of Rome was a 3rd Century Roman priest during the persecution of Christians under the reign of Claudius II. He is the patron Saint of love, young people, beekeepers, epilepsy, and happy marriages. There is not much about Saint Valentine's life that can be reliably known, however, there are many legends about him.  One account has it that the emperor banned all marriages and engagements in Rome, believing this was the reason Roman men were unwilling to serve in the army. Valentine defied this unjust decree and continued to perform marriages for lovers in secret. He was arrested, and while in prison he restored sight to his jailer's blind daughter, causing the jailer and his entire extended household, forty-six people in total, to immediately convert to Christianity. Upon hearing this, Claudius ordered Valentine's execution. St. Valentine left a farewell note for the jailer's daughter, whom he had befriended, and signed it "From Your Valentine." He was beheaded on February 14th.

So why has February 14th turned into such a mushy day?  Why do single girls feel so dismal?  Because our culture wants to leave God and His holy things out of their lives.  What should we do then to bring God back into our lives and this holiday holy day?

Let's remember the love God shows us, not just on St. Valentine's Day, but each and every day!  We do not need a "significant other" to be complete or have value.  Only God can complete us with the true happiness, love, and joy we desire.  He has given us the holy sacrament of Marriage so that we can do 2 things.

1. "Be fruitful and multiply" creating new souls to know, love, and serve God.
2. To get our spouse to Heaven!!

There is nothing in God's design that says, "Every girl should have a guy to make her smile, make her happy, make her complete."  Yes, Marriage is a very good thing.  It is truly designed by God and provides so many blessings and graces to those who receive the sacrament, but it is not the one and only thing we need to complete us.  Instead, we should know, "God alone suffices."  

"Yea I have loved thee with everlasting love, therefore have I drawn thee, taking pity on thee." ~Jeremiah 31:3 DRB

We should also remember St. Valentine who was indeed a real person and real martyr.  We should try to follow his example of following God's plan for our lives and persevering in faith, even when it's not easy.  We may not be a martyr in blood but there are many ways every day that we can offer our lives to God as St. Valentine did.  Let us share the love of Christ with everyone we meet, just like St. Valentine did, even with our enemies.

"'Be my valentine' is rich with possibilities. Could it be that Christ has been saying this to us all these years on this feast and we have missed the point? Perhaps it means, 'Be My martyr. Be My saint.'"  ~Mary Reed Newland

I know this post might seem a little late.  Now, the world has moved on to shamrocks and tiny little Irishmen at the end of a rainbow, but let us not forget the true love we have everyday.  God is there for you on St. Valentine's Day and all year through.  He loves you more than life itself.

"For God so loved the world, as to give his only begotten Son; that whosoever believeth in him, may not perish, but may have life everlasting. "  ~John 3:16 DRB

No matter where God has you or leads you trust in Him.  Maybe you're in high school, maybe you're a single young adult, maybe you're in a relationship discerning God's Will, maybe you're married.  Wherever God has you, live each and every day with love and try to live your vocation to the fullest!

In cordibus Jesu et Mariae,

Sarah