Every February across the country, boxes of chocolates, dozens of roses and other assorted gifts are exchanged in the name of love. All signed: “From Your Valentine…” But who is this mysterious lover named Valentine. Well legend tells us that Valentine was a love-struck saint. Yes, it’s a great story. Evidently Valentine, a young Christian, fell madly in love with a lovely charming Christian woman.

 Well as luck would have it, the Romans found out about Valentine’s Christian background and sentenced him to death.

 Before being lead off to meet his death, he wrote her words of love signing his farewell “From Your Valentine….” Soon this sentiment- filled phrase became the standard parting words for Valentine cards even until this day.

 Now I’m not sure how true this story is, but the romantic appeal left behind in Valentine’s name is! Today when we send or receive Valentine cards, we are reminded of love, and isn’t love something we can share everyday! Love is a worthwhile gift. God is love. And Christ asks us to love one another just as he does-and to do it everyday.

Christ pushes the “envelope” just a little further. He says, “don’t just love those who give you chocolate or roses, but everyone. Christ talks about romantic love, yes, but Christ wants us to share “unromantic love” also. He knows both personally, and He lived, died and rose from the dead because of them.   Jesus showed that to love all is to be courageous. We are always His Valentine.

St Francis D Sales wrote, “It is to those who have most need of us that we ought to show love more especially. For in doing so we give greater proof of our love”

Now that’s the sentiment we need to share today and everyday. It makes us God’s Valentine for all eternity where God will be ours too.

Happy Valentine’s Day !