Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love. God's love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we loved God but that God loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. Beloved, since God loved us so much, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God lives in us, and his love is perfected in us.    (1 John 4:7-12)

On Thursday, February 14, many people will observe St Valentine's Day with cards, flowers, candy, fancy dinners or other gifts for those they love. Others will dismiss the day as just another "Hallmark holiday" created to get us to spend more money on needless things.

There are many legends about the beginning of Valentine's Day. All of them have to do with a saint of the Roman Catholic Church. You can find out everything you wanted to know and more at various websites (the one for the History Channel is especially good). Regardless of the details or the truth of these legends, one thing is clear - for many centuries people of faith have marked February 14 as a day to remember and celebrate the sacrifices that are made in the name of and for the sake of love.

As Valentine's Day approaches this year, let us remember especially the love that enables us to love at all - the love of God in Jesus Christ. As our Scripture says, the heart of love is what God has done for us in Jesus Christ. From that truth flows our capacity to love one another. Because God loves us so much, we can dare to love one another. And in that loving of others, God is revealed to the world.

And here's the fun part - because it is God's love that propels us out into the world, we find ourselves loving all kinds of people. We share God's love with those we like and those who are hard to like, those we choose and those who just find their way to us. We are surprised everyday by how much love we receive and pass on. So on Valentine's Day, whether we give or receive flowers or candy or cards, one thing holds true - we can all celebrate the love that is ours through Jesus Christ.

Thank you, gracious and loving God, for the many ways you shower us with your love. Thank you for loving us even when we are hard to love. Thank you for loving us into new relationships with you and those around us. Thank you for the gift of Jesus Christ who penetrates our hearts and lives with a life-giving love. Thank you. Amen.

Contributed by Tracie
Sunday February 10, 2008
Liturgical Year A Week 11
Sunday Gospel reading:

Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany