Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Greetings in the name of Jesus Christ.
Happy Valentine’s Day in advance to those of you who celebrate Valentine’s Day. Tomorrow Monday 14th February 2022 will be celebrated as Valentine’s Day.
As I indicated in a previous Pastoral Letter, St. Valentine’s Day was introduced by Pope Gelasius I, to replace a Roman festival called Lupercalia held in mid–February. This celebration started in the year 496 which means this year will be the 1,526th Valentine’s Day Celebration.
How have these years of celebration truly enhanced our relationships over the years? This is a question for which I do not have the answer, although I wish I did. It is my sincere hope, however, that the celebration of Valentine’s Day would have helped to enhance the lives of persons who are in love with each other.
Valentine’s day has become very popular and nothing more than a fashion for some, especially those who like to follow the crowd. Many of us do things just in order not to be the odd one out. “After all, everybody is taking out their loved one on Valentine’s Day, so I cannot look the worst”, some may think. With this thought, some money is allocated, even if it had to be borrowed and then the night is spent quite lavishly. This may prove helpful, but only for some.
However, in order to ensure that you are not just following fashion this Valentine’s Day, I ask you to consider the following five questions:
If I remove what I do on Valentine’s Day for the one I love, would there be anything else in my relationship that makes that person feel really loved by me?
If no one else ordered a bouquet for their loved one, would I still order a bouquet for my loved one?
If my loved-one was the only person to know what gift I bought him or her, would I have spent that much money to purchase it?
If I had no money at all to spend on Valentine’s Day, would I be able to find a way or ways in which I can show my loved one that I truly love him or her?
Do I celebrate other special occasions and even not so special occasions in the life of my loved one, the same way I do on Valentine’s Day?
Take some time out to reflect on these questions. If your answers to these questions are positive, it may mean you are truly in love. If on the other hand, your answers are not positive then perhaps you are just following the crowd. Pay keen attention to the one you love and be sure to find other meaningful ways and times to show how much you love him/her. Romans 12:9-5 outline the marks of a true Christian. Read it and use the marks to demonstrate the marks of a true lover. These include, “Let love be genuine” and “love one another with mutual affection”. Once again, Happy Valentine’s Day.
Love from my loving family to you and those you love.
Yours in Christ
Tyrone Hunkins, Rev.