Love
A Letter from Our Pastor
Sharing Dear Parishioners,
W
in Different Ways
hat’s the most widely But isn’t that what stewardship as observed saint’s day in a way of life is — a little martyrdom? February — the one that’s kept Not to push the image too far, but even by those who aren’t practicing when we are faithful stewards, we give Catholics? Undoubtedly, it would be up a little portion of our lives out of our St. Valentine’s Day, Feb. 14. own love for Christ. Most Christians The irony is that his feast isn’t even will not be called on to be martyrs, in on the General Roman Calendar of the sense of forfeiting our physical feasts to be observed throughout the lives for God. But we are called to give world. That doesn’t mean that he’s up some of our comforts, indulgences not recognized as a real, historical and riches because of our love for Him. person, or as a genuine saint, but only So then, as you prepare to that his influence throughout the celebrate and share your love with Church has not been as significant your Valentine this month, remember as that of other saints. occurred then, it must be appropriate St. Valentine and his love for Christ. So who was St. Valentine? There for humans, as well. The association As well, keep in mind that God loves are several St. Valentines, as the between St. Valentine and love notes us, and return that love with your own name was not a rare one in the is a later development. toward Him. Loving God will be ancient Roman Empire, but the saint Nevertheless, it’s not wrong to reflected in how you prioritize your we celebrate was a priest of Rome connect the two. Love has many use of the time, talent and treasure martyred in the late third century. aspects, and our conception of it is God has entrusted to you. As St. John Still, that doesn’t explain how his richer if we keep more than one of wrote (1 Jn 4:19), “We love because he feast came to be celebrated as the day them in mind. Martyrdom is the first loved us.” one sends letters, cards and presents result of loving God more than our Happy St. Valentine’s Day! as expressions of romantic love. earthly life. St. Valentine was a martyr The truth is that the custom of because of his love — his love for Jesus Sincerely yours in Christ, sending tokens of love comes not Christ and His Church. If he had not from any direct connection with St. loved God so much, he could have Valentine, but from the ancient belief repudiated his Lord and saved his life. that birds begin to pair off on Feb. 14. We, in turn, express our love by sending Father Eduino Silveira And if courtship in the natural world cards and gifts on St. Valentine’s Day. Pastor
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