Memorial of Saints Cyril, monk, and Methodius, bishop
(James 1:1-11; Mark 8:11-13)
It said
that more chocolate is sold on Valentine’s Day than any other day of the
year. Valentine’s Day is obviously
serious business. There is another way
in which it is serious business. More
and more it deals with romantic love.
Once
valentine cards were passed around mostly by children in school. Before Facebook’s “likes,” the number of
valentines received indicated one’s popularity.
With the Sexual Revolution the practice of Valentine’s Day has become
more articulated. People have come to see
it as an occasion of sexual encounter. But
this does not mean it is necessarily hedonistic. There is a Christian side of erotic love.
We believe
that the human person has needs and desires which include sexual union. For many good reasons a couple should make a
permanent commitment before consummating their love. Today’s first reading admonishing
perseverance points to this necessity. In marriage sexual union enhances the couple’s
unity as it purifies their intentions.
In time the man and woman will not give themselves to one another to satisfy
desire. Their love will become a giving
of self completely for the good of the other. It will become like God’s love.
