Reflecting On Love

In February, we celebrate St Valentine’s Day.

Nobody knows who exactly St Valentine was. However, the first official Saint Valentine’s Day was declared on 14 February by Pope Galasius in 496, in memory of a 3rd century martyred priest in Rome.

Apparently, a young priest rose to fame after betraying Emperor Claudius in 270 AD. The emperor thought that married men were no good as soldiers and so he decreed that all marriages would be outlawed. Bishop Valentine believed that marriage was part of God’s plan and purpose for the world, so secretly, he continued to conduct marriages between young people, in the name of love. The story goes that eventually he was jailed for this and in the end was beheaded, but not before he fell in love with the jailer’s daughter. Apparently, on the evening of his execution the bishop passed her a note that read ‘from your Valentine’. And that’s how the tradition of sending Valentine cards is said to have come about.

These days most couples decide to live together before getting married. It does feel different when you’re married, kind of more secure. I love to officiate at church weddings. The words in the service never fail to touch me deeply. In it, marriage is described as a gift of God where we grow together in love and trust. Promises are made to each other: for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish till death.

Massive promises to make and not easy to keep. We wear rings, symbols of the unending love and faithfulness, to remind us of our commitment. I’m sure every married couple goes through ups and downs during their life together. It can be tough. Sometimes it’s only the marriage that holds a couple together. But if we can get through the difficult times, struggle through, hang on in there and work it out, the relationship becomes stronger. I think my favourite words in the service are ‘All that I am I give to you’. What a precious gift of love that is: the heart, mind, body and soul. Happy Valentine’s Day!