The Reason this month’s meditations are called “February Fruit” is because this is the month we celebrate LOVE. And, the Fruit of the Spirit is LOVE. It’s the love of Christ that allows us to bear the rest of the fruit such
as, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self Control.
Galatians 5.
Galatians 5.
This love-ly month of ‘love’ notes given to us through scripture, continues. Every passage is a love message from God to us. Who doesn’t love words of affirmation, encouragement and new direction!
Let’s continue this month with a few quotes you will love.
“If the works of God were such as might be easily comprehended by human reason, they could not be called wonderful or unspeakable.” Thomas a Kempis
"Love takes up where knowledge leaves off.” St. Thomas Aquinas
2-8 Genesis 24:28-38,49-51; Psalm 23,27,75,76; Hebrews 12:12-29; John 7:14-36
Psalm 23:1-6 “The Lord is my shepherd I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures and leads me beside the still waters.
He revives my soul and leads me on the right path for his Name’s sake.
You spread a table before me in the presence of those who trouble me; you have anointed my head with oil and my cup is running over.
Surely your goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”
No matter how many times we say this ‘prayer’ it still feels like a warm embrace from God. We hear or say these affirming words mostly at funerals, which is too bad, because we should repeat this psalm on a regular basis. It’s a prayer because we connect with the Lord as the Lord connects with us, giving us assurance of His forever presence eternally.
Our Lord, Jesus, the shepherd of those who seek Him. Yet, we are the blind sheep who, at any time in our lives, may wander off and nearly fall off a cliff if it were not for His continued rescue. Our Shepherd voice is the One we follow once we know it. If it were not for the voice of the shepherd calling us to ‘return to the fold’ where would we be?
His voice leads us to drink in His overflowing word that trickles into our hearts. His voice leads us on the path of righteousness. Even if we are to walk in circles for a time or climb a mountain, He is with us, leading us. If we remain on His path, even though the deep valley reveals to us the shadow of death that looms before us, our Lord is with us, leading us, guiding us.
IF we listen, we can hear His voice deep in our soul.
When we think we can handle a situation without council from the flock and/or our Shepherd. That’s when we wander off. We think we know how to deal with life situations but we always need guidance and protection. Our Lord and savior is our protector. We need to feel his rod of discipline tapping lightly to return us to the path He created for each of us, individually. Before we blindly walk over that cliff, His shepherd’s crook will grab us firmly and save us from our own self-direction.
That’s when the banquet begins. We finally understand the ‘saving’ faith necessary for our salvation, faith in the One whose blood saves us from our sin-filled selves. He takes that sin and turns it into a banquet of Love. The abundance of God’s love is far grander than any banquet, far more filling than all the ‘food’ we could possibly eat in a lifetime.
God’s table of ‘fruit’ fills us with joy and peace and patience and kindness and goodness and faithfulness and gentleness and self control if, and only if, we remain on His path and eat His banquet of His Love until we are stuffed full. But we are never stuffed full because we are called to give that love away to others. The more we eat of our Lord’s banquet, the more we give away.
And so it continues.
If, indeed, we call Jesus our Lord, our Shepherd, and listen to His call for the rest of our lives, His goodness and mercy will remain with us always, eternally. The
minute we say, “yes” to God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and remain with Him, He is ours forever, eternally . . . while we dwell on this earth and as we continue in glory with Him beyond this mortal planet.
Think about it: Once we enter the ‘House of the Lord’ we are invited to dwell forever with Him . . . in His house! It’s a mansion with so many rooms it would take an eternity to find them all. Wow! What JOY!
Once we say ‘Yes’ we are called to follow, not blindly but as a blind person who has no idea where the next step with the Lord will take us. We are called to trust our Leader but we cannot do this haphazardly. We need to ask a kazillion questions and retain a curiosity that seeks to find every room in God’s mansion.
We are directed to linger in each room we discover.
What does it look like?
Is it a pleasant looking room that draws us in and invites us to stay awhile?
What makes it so inviting?
Do we see a pleasantness that glows in the natural light that flows into the room? Do we find morsels to digest as we linger?
Think of each ‘room’ as another chapter of scripture.
Chew on the words as if each were a bite of your most
favorite food.
Take your time.
Linger awhile as you imbibe.
Drink in the sweet nectar of Living Water as you chew.
Devour each tidbit.
Enjoy!
When you are fully satisfied, move to the next room.
The Lord’s mansion is big but does not feel overwhelming.
It’s big enough to keep us wandering in the green pastures of His presence.
It’s halls wind enough for us to get lost.
Yet, this mansion is totally safe because we are in HIS house and we are invited to dwell with our Shepherd, in His house, forever and ever….. Amen
2-9 Fifth Sunday after Epiphany
Isaiah 58:1-9a; Psalm 112:1-9; 1 Corinthiens 2:1-12; Matthew 5:13-20
Matthew 5:14-16 “You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on
the lamp stand and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.”
This section of scripture is part of the Sermon on the Mount, which extends over three chapters: 5,6, and 7. Jesus begins with blessings and then includes discourses which shape the disciples identity and lifestyle. These lessons provide a vision of God’s world rather than the imperial rule of the Roman empire. Jesus encourages his followers to be bold and brave.
Jesus, the new Light, tells those listening that they are the light of the world. That which God’s people glean from Jesus must not be hidden. Jesus’ words are to be digested and, in doing so, new revelation will en’lighten’ those who listen. They will become a beacon of light, having absorbed the ‘light of Christ.’ As a beacon, or ‘lamp’, they are not to hide their new understanding but let their ‘light’ so shine before others that they also become enlightened to God’s revelation.
Think about it: The final few sentence of this paragraph in Matthew talks about holy boldness. “Let your light shine before others so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.” This is a little more complicated than we realize.
Because of our concern for others, our heart-felt
desire to help, many of us choose to do ‘good works.’ We might help serve a weekly meal at the homeless shelter. We might knit shawls for the elderly. We might donate to a cause that helps those who cannot help themselves. This is all good but is this what Jesus is talking about?
What we learn from Jesus is to be shared with others so that they also can become a beacon of light and learn how to give glory to God. Too often, we think ‘doing’ for others is the way we are to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ but if we do not tell others about the One who loves us so much that we choose to give all the glory to Him, how can they know to glorify God?
Jesus is the One who directs our path. If we do not come along side another and share about the One whose light so shines in us, what good are we to another?
We can feed, clothe , find shelter or bail someone out of a tight spot but if they do not know the source of your love for them, then they have no reason to give glory to our God in heaven. If we do not tell our story of our life in Christ, how do they know to seek the source of redemption, Jesus Christ?
As you gain new light and begin to shine brightly, be ready to share how you have changed. Be ready to be that light that enlightens another so that they also can beam with the light of Christ. Make your story short, about three minutes to make three points. What was your life like before you were filled with the Light of Christ? What was your turning point, the ‘aha’ moment when you walked into Jesus loving arms? Finally, how has your journey with Christ filled you to overflowing with a desire to be that ‘light’ to others so that they, also, can give glory to our Father in heaven?
Be brave.
Be bold.
Be that light to ignite in another the desire to seek a life filled with the Light of Christ Jesus.
Hebrews 13:2 "Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers for by this some have entertained strangers without knowing it. :16 Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God."
We come to the end of the book of Hebrews. It’s like a mother or father saying goodbye to their child. The ‘child’ has grown up to the point where it is time to let go and allow their precious family member freedom to travel, move away or attend a school far away. There is always one last word of advice. Is is like the writer is telling us, “Here is another reminder, just in case you should forget.”
Hebrews is filled with wisdom and encouragement for those who are walking a difficult path as Christians. They have ‘graduated’ from dependance on the Law and the rules surrounding the Law to a place where the Law is still an important ‘stake in the ground’ but there is more. God’s people recognize that blood sacrifice and required fasts and feasts are not the totality of their worship of God. Christ Jesus became that sacrifice, once, for all. These Christ-followers are learning that worship of God, through His Son, is daily It’s a matter of the heart, a changed heart, a heart focused on God, that leads to actions.
Yet, during this time of transition for Messianic Jews there is a gnostic thread that seems to weave around their lives. Certain actions show others that they are Christians. If they follow a ‘rule’ and are seen as pious,
they will be good Christians.
Yet, this is not so. Actions without the fruit growing from a soul filled with Christ’s love is senseless. The fruit that bears correct actions comes from the eternal, never-leaving-us, love of our Lord. Feeding the soul is far more important than following some pattern that sets one apart from the others.
And so, this last chapter of Hebrews spits out little remembrances to take with us on our journey. Everyone we meet may be sent to us by God. The scruffy, unkempt, needy person is just as important as a church elder. The one who talks too much or needs too much or whose personality grates against us is that stranger that we need to embrace. Forget timelines, forget that important conversation with the other person. Embrace the moment. Embrace the one who has just entered your sphere of influence. There is a reason that person is face to face with us.
In the same way, sacrifice is daily. Give a portion of what you have as you meet others along your path of righteousness. If you only have one blanket, divide that blanket in two so that the other may have a blanket on those cold nights. If you have two pieces of bread and you eat with another who has none, give one piece away. Take a few minutes each day to assess the condition of your heart and follow those silent murmurs according to God’s will.
Think about it: Learning how to live as a good Christian takes work. Sacrifice of time, talent and possessions is
never easy. It’s easier to pay a tax once each year than to mindfully give what we have daily. This is what we are asked to do. Yet, we cannot give away what we do not have. It’s most important to seek to understand what our Lord wants of us first. This may take time. Study, sharing what we learn in a group setting, learning what it means to live a ‘sacrificial’ life with ‘strangers’ takes time and cannot be done in a vacuum. We must fellowship with others of like-mind for awhile.
Only when we feel strong enough to journey beyond the protective fold of Christian fellowship can we entertain strangers who may well become new friends. Only when we grow strong in our faith can we sacrifice time and energy and talent to make this world a better place. Only when we learn to let go of what we have, possessions, money, any earthly treasure, can we understand the incredible joy of sharing what we have with others.
Make a list of the treasures you have.
You may be surprised that your greatest treasure is time or friendship.
Time flits by too fast to give much away to listening, truly listening to another.
Finding the energy to send a hand-written note of encouragement to a friend, or that stranger you just met, may seem difficult.
Taking what little energy we have to pay attention to someone who walks into our sphere of influence may be more than we can handle at the end of a long day..
Our journey with Christ may not be easy.
However, these reminders in Hebrews keep us focused on the One who is giving us that time, that energy, that incredible opportunity to journey with Him.
Each day is a surprise.
EnJOY the journey!
2-11 Genesis 26:1-6, 12-33; Psalm 78; Hebrews 13:17-25; John 7:53—8:11
John 8:7 “He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.” the elders.
:11 Jesus said to the woman, “Go and sin no more.”
This famous story leaves us scratching our heads. If the woman is caught in adultery, where is the man who was with her? In fact, this story follows a conversation between pharisees about the Law. The Law is good and just if used properly. Nicodemus reminds the other pharisees that those they speak of do not know the Jewish law and that the Law requires that both sides be given the opportunity to tell their story.
A woman, caught in adultery means death by stoning . . . for both man and woman. The pharisees are not interested in condemning the woman or finding the man responsible for this action. They are using the woman to trick Jesus . . . again. It’s like the ‘keystone cops’ who run in circles trying to catch the illusive person who seems to break their law. That’s the comic relief in so many of these stories.
The pharisees are like the keystone cops in those old silent movies. When Jesus bends down to write something in the sand it’s simply a sign that He is ignoring the the pharisees. These hypocrites are breaking the law themselves by accusing the woman without trial and without the presence of the man. It’s an endless circle.
Once again, Jesus wins the argument. Jesus’ wisdom is
the Father’s wisdom, given through the power of the Holy
Spirit. It’s simple. If anyone is without sin, any sin, let him cast the first stone. That stops the pharisees cold. What can they do? They know they have sinned simply by not following the logical standards of the law: a trial with both sides telling their story. No more needs to be said to the pharisees. They leave, one-by-one, but they’ll be back.
In the mean time, Jesus is concerned about the woman’s soul, not her actions. She sees Jesus’ everlasting love. She understands, without words, what is good and just and how to live a righteous life. She simply needs the power-filled words from Jesus to repent, to “Go and sin no more.”
Jesus saved her life with love and compassion.
Think about it: Can we relate to the woman or do we relate to the pharisees? Perhaps, in your spirit, you say, “Of course I relate to the woman in my past life before I know the saving faith of Jesus Christ. I may not have been an adulteress but I most certainly saw myself as a sinner saved by the blood of Christ.” This is true. Most of us can even remember how and when we turned around and truly saw the Lord, embraced Him, and have never let go.
However, when we embraced the Lord and learned how to live a Christ-centered life, when we learned what to do and what not to do, what to believe and what not to
believe, did we keep it to ourselves?
Did you ever see another Christian err and want to reach out and set that person straight?
Too often we condemn others who we think do not live as they should. We condemn them before first loving them where they are. We know the ‘rules,’ the precepts that keep us on track with Jesus, so shouldn’t everyone who calls themselves “Christian” know those same rules?
That’s the rub.
Many people who are baptized and live in a Christian family have no clue how to live as a disciple of Christ.
We make assumptions just as the pharisees did.
We become a pharisee by judging one who we think should know better. Having love and compassion for those who say they are Christians yet never attend church and avoid bible study or any other form of growth in Christ is difficult. Yet, these are the very people to whom we are called to minister, to love, to guide, to bring alongside other growing, mature Christians.
In fact, when you meet another who says, “I don’t need to be part of a church or a bible study or a growth group. I like my own mountain top time with God,” start praying for that person.
Ask the Lord how you can be an influence to that person in order for the full presence of God to come into that person’s life.
Then be creative according to the Lord’s lead.
Invite the person for coffee and ask questions that prompt the other to talk freely without interruption.
Listen.
Just listen . . . and when you thought you’ve heard enough, listen some more.
Taking time out of our busy schedule to simply listen to another may be the greatest gift that person has been given in their lifetime.
Stay connected with that person as the Lord leads you both more deeply into His loving presence.
Pray . . . Listen . . . Love . . .. Repeat
2-12 Genesis 27:1-29; Psalm 119:97-120, 81, 82; Romans 12:1-8; John 8:12-20
Psalm 119:98 [mem] Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies, for it is always with me. :108 [nun] Accept the free will offerings of my mouth O Lord. :116 [samekh] Sustain me according to your word that I may live.
Once again we linger with Psalm 119. It’s an exceptional poem of love, of keeping God’s law and studying Torah.
Yet, it’s the same love this poet has for God that we have for God through our saving faith in Christ. The poet’s eyes and heart remain focused on the One who is responsible for his salvation. The reason this poem is so long is that it follows the Hebrew alphabet, not for one verse but for entire stanzas of 6-8 verses. If one were to read each stanza in Hebrew, you would notice the first word, and many words throughout that stanza, would reflect a specific letter of the alphabet, in specific order. Mem, nun, and Samekh are letters in the middle of the alphabet. Therefore, we are about half-way through Psalm 119.
“Your commandments make me wiser than my enemies.” Who might be his enemies and how does God’s word make him wiser? Because Israelites lived what seemed to be an austere life compared to those of pagans, life may not have been easy. Hebrew people lived among Canaanites, of which there were a myriad of tribes and beliefs. Worshipping many gods seemed natural to all but this strange group of Hebrew tribe who worshipped only one God. Food restrictions and explicit instructions for blood sacrifice seemed appalling to those who did not understand the Covenant relationship God has with His Chosen People. God’s people may have been ostracized or there may have been attacks by other tribes (Hebrew nomads often wandered onto other tribal property). Yet, the wisdom of God, written in Psalm 119, is always greater than the wisdom of mortals.
“Accept the free will offerings of my mouth, O Lord.” Prayer is like sweet incense drifting up to the Lord, thy God. Each time we read these words out loud, addressing
the Lord with a thankful heart is like an offering to Him. As our hearts digest these words, ponder them for a moment and then let them float into God’s presence. By voicing these words out loud, our soul swells to overflowing. We are filled with wisdom and thanksgiving. From everlasting to everlasting, from generation to generation, from ancient times to this present time, God’s words never change. God is always with us and treasures our offering of words, of prayer, of conversation, of connection . . . of covenant relationship.
“Sustain me according to your word that I may live.” God is the living Word but it is difficult to picture his Presence. That’s why the Father sent his Son, Jesus, to us to give us a glimpse of how we are made in the image of God. Jesus, the bread of life, was sent to us so that we might be sustained by His words and healing actions. God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit, is the I Am, the living Word.
Daily chewing on God’s word gives us sustenance in the same way ‘manna’ fed God’s people for forty years in the wilderness. We live in a wilderness. God’s word sustains us daily so we must digest a little each day to sustain our strong relationship with the Lord. Like manna, we cannot ‘store’ grand amounts to digest later. Yet, we can memorize words to store in our mind. At any given moment we are able to pick that passage out of our mind and chew on it to fill our hungry soul so that we may continue to live according to God’s will.
Think about it: How does God’s word sustain you daily?
What action do you take to feed your soul?
Do you read a passage and stop to chew slowly, allowing each word to be well digested?
Do you mark one word that pops out and invite the Lord to give you meaning for that day?
Perhaps you simply talk to the Lord, pouring out your daily plans as you ask for direction for the day. This is always good. Yet, praying our plans for the day is best done after we read God’s word which might reveal that plan.
In other words, we have tasks to complete each day and it’s great to offer these tasks to the Lord so that our busy day might receive blessing. However, what if we read one passage in a series of daily scripture readings to see what ‘other’ plans the Lord has in store for us, beside our scheduled, expected, daily tasks?
For instance, we might read how God’s commands, His precepts in this Psalm, make us wiser. We can ask the Lord how these words apply today, in our work place, in a class we might attend, or with strangers we meet during the day.
Daily, write in your journal one word or phrase you glean from scripture. [ie. God’s commands make us wiser.]
Write, in a short sentence, what the Lord reveals to you through these words. [ie. Gods’ wisdom far exceeds my wisdom so seek God’s way of overcoming today’s challenges.]
Make sure you provide the date.
Make sure you provide the date.
In one month, look through all those words or phrases and see if there is a trend.
Is the Lord telling you something by the words you glean?
Interesting.
2-13 Genesis 27:30-45; Psalm 85,86,146,147; Romans 12:9-21; John 8:27-32
This sentence in Genesis is play on words.
“Bekarah” means birthright.
“Berakah” means blessing.
“Jacob took away Esau’s bekarah and then stole Esau’s berakah.”
Throughout scripture, the play on words emphasizes the very words that are most important to the passage.
Birthright and blessing were most important for the livelihood of all males.
The book of Genesis is filled with intrigue. As you recall, Esau and Jacob are twins. Even before birth Jacob and Esau struggled in Rebekah’s womb. Although Esau, the red and hairy one, was born first, throughout their childhood they vied for first place. The first son would inherit a double portion of the Father’s wealth. Second son would inherit a small portion. Jacob was a quiet tent dweller who farmed the land and was closest to his mother. Esau was the hunter, the one Isaac loved for the food he would bring home. Jacob was smart and patient. Esau was impetuous and wanted quick gratification.
Remember when Esau was starving and sold his birthright to his brother if Jacob would turn the meat into a meal quickly? This was not a done deal. Isaac, the father, had to bestow birthright and blessing upon his favorite son. So, no matter what deals were made with the two sons, the Father gave the last word.
Isaac was old and blind but he still had a good sense of touch and smell. He knew his sons, the hairy outdoorsman vs. the farmer. Both were good and necessary for the wealth of the family but Isaac preferred the one who brought in the delicious meat.
Then there is Rebekah who seemingly had no authority in the household. Women had no rights and depended solely upon their livelihood from husband and sons. However,
just like today, women were smart and had the power of persuasion. “Where there is a will there is a way,” may have begun even before Rebekah’s time. She was smart and wanted Jacob, her beloved son, to receive the birthright. This was not only because he was her favorite son but, more important, this was to guarantee her own well being. She trusted Jacob to care for her when Isaac, much older, would no longer be the patriarch. She needed a guarantee for her own livelihood.
Women may not have had rights but they knew the right way to meet their own personal needs. There is no chiding of Rebekah’s actions in this story, no moral decision. Her actions are stated and we move on. It’s as if the story teller reminds us that her actions may be deceitful but these actions were par for the course, so to speak.
We know the rest of the story: how Rebekah masterminded Isaac’s blessing on Jacob. When Isaac told Esau to go out and hunt some meat to make a delicious stew, Rebekah acted quickly. She instructed Jacob, against his arguing, to kill twq ‘kids’ so that she could make the goat-meat stew quickly. She took Esau’s best clothes and dressed Jacob in them so Isaac would ‘smell Esau’. The skin of the ‘kid’ was hairy so patches were placed on Jacob’s hands and neck (the smooth parts of his body that his father would touch for the blessing).
Both bekarah and berakah were given to Jacob. This could not be cancelled or changed. Once given by the father it is done. Esau’s lament to his father did no good. In fact, the prophecy said over Jacob and Esau came true: Two nations, independent of each other, would always be in contention. Jacob would ‘carry’ covenant relationship with God to the next generation. Esau would not.
The thread of covenant relationship from Abraham to Jesus would continue through Jacob, the deceiver. More on that later.
For now, Jacob had to get out of town quickly.
The story continues to be filled with intrigue as we follow Jacob’s path to redemption.
Think about it: Today’s entry is long because there are so many twists and turns to the story.
Deception weaves in and through all the stories of Old Covenant history.
Jacob’s story, seemingly endless, is the most powerful.
Find a time and place to read Genesis 25:19 through chapter 33.
You may need several sessions to digest the twists and turns of Jacob’s life but this story of salvation is the beginning of the struggle “Israel” would have throughout history.
Then think about your own story with all its twists and turns as you are being honed and shaped into God’s best for His purpose.
Can you see struggle points, turning points, high points, redemption moments?
Draw a line on a page in your journal.
Mark the beginning of your journey, your new birth in Christ Jesus, your ‘aha’ moment when you stopped struggling and began to receive blessing.
Mark high and low points with a dot.
Date and name the actions of each moment.
Connect the dots with lines to show the movement of your walk with Jesus.
This may take several pages, several days, but keep going.
[or tape several pages of paper together to make a timeline several feet long. When finished, slip it into your journal for continued additions as you grow.]
You will see how the Lord has pulled you into His arms of love even as you battle daily challenges.
Go for it.
Marvel at God’s blessings in your journey.
2-14 Genesis 27:46—28:4,:10-:22; Psalm 88,91,92; Romans 13:1-14; John 8:33-47
This LOVE-ly assurance brings to our hearts a sense of protection from God. A perfect message for this Valentine’s day. It’s a song for the hunter but reminds us of the trust and confidence we have in God which is influenced by the wisdom of these words. This psalm offers divine protection and guidance for the righteous. It is said that a copy of this psalm was often tucked into the pocket of soldiers on the battlefield. It’s a reminder that the Lord is our protector, the protector of our Hearts.
Heart-felt words from the psalms are always a balm for our soul. Although we set aside a special day to share our love with one another, God’s love spreads beyond a specific date or time. God’s love for all of us is eternally present for our taking.
All we must say is, “Yes!”
Yes, I will receive your love and protection.
Yes, I know full well that I must keep my eyes on you, Lord.
Yes, I know you have specific precepts for me to follow.
Yes, I know you will continue to lead me, guide me, on this circuitous path you have designated to be my life-journey.
“My Lord, my God, the One who was and is and will ever be with me . . . You are my refuge and fortress, the protector of my heart.”
Think about it: Those who followed Christ during the sporadic times of mass persecution may have tucked those words into their hearts. We think we have challenges today, think of how we might live if we were required to worship an emperor as our god and denounce Jesus as Lord of our lives.
That’s tough.
Thinking of others’ persecution does not make our own challenges less painful but might give us a courageous heart, knowing others have been through worse.
Today, if you feel the need to be loved, spend a little more time reading the psalms of joy and gladness. Give praise to the Lord who meets your needs look for three heart-felt blessings through your day. ie. “I am able to move, I have food to eat, I am able to read these words and plant them in my soul.”
Then, reach out to just one other person with love-ly words or an act of kindness.
You will feel the Lord’s LOVE as you give it away.
Try it.
See what happens.
SAINT VALENTINE was martyred February 14, 269. Many stories about his life swirl through history. He was an evangelist during a time when Claudius II forbid the spread of Christianity. Valentine would marry young
Christian couples, also forbidden. The main reason is that, by roman law, no man can be used as a soldier during his first year of marriage, a time of bonding and procreation.
Valentine was arrested by Claudius but developed a good relationship with him. This gave Valentine the ‘holy boldness’ to proselytize Claudius but it backfired. Claudius became enraged by the fact that he, god of the Roman Empire, would have to humble himself before the God of Christians. Valentine was executed.
There is a tradition that says, on the day Valentine died he wrote a note to the jailer’s little daughter whom he befriended. It said, “Be Mine” . . . Valentine.
This might have been the salutation to a note that said, “All Jesus asks of you is to 'Be Mine' . . . to whole-heartedly receive the LOVE of Jesus and, in turn, give your whole HEART, all of your LOVE, to Him."
This tradition seems logical due to the fact that Valentine was an evangelist to the very end of his life.
To this day we see these words printed on little candies and lovely notes we send to each other on this “Valentine’s Day” . . . “Be Mine . . . Valentine.” 💝
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