Good morning. There are likely very few folks walking about this morning who are not aware that it is Valentines Day. Yes, it is the Feast of Saint Valentine, and the present day celebration of ‘love’ has little to do with the third century priest and martyr Valentine. It is thought that the present day tradition of exchanging valentines or showing your love for another originated from the pagan celebration of the goddess of fertility and it happened to coincide with the feast day of St. Valentine. Be that as it may, it is a boom day for chocolate retailers, florists, and greeting card folks as everyone attempts to show their love, to give a sign of their love. Coincidentally, the Gospel reading for this morning, although brief, offers a very meaningful and timely message. The Pharisees once again are up to their usual scheming and they ask for a sign from Jesus, “The Pharisees came forward and began to argue with Jesus, seeking from him a sign from heaven to test him” (Mark8:11). Don’t get me wrong, I’m no Scrooge, I think that that giving occasional signs of affection such as chocolates and the like are nice, in fact I think they are important, but we needn’t wait each year for February 14 to come around to show we care. Like the Pharisees we shouldn't need a sign but need only look to one another's actions. A box of chocolates or a Teddy Bear is sweet indeed. I’m all for it. No, we should indeed on occasion show our love in this way, but it is more important to show our love by our actions, the everyday mundane doing and giving of self says “I love you” more than any box of chocolates or bouquet of roses. Remember that love is a verb and our marriage is defined as such; we show we care by our actions. Make a great day!
Today, in addition to it being the Feast of Saint Valentine, we recall the good life, gifts and works of the two brothers Saint Cyril, monk, and Saint Methodius, Bishop.
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