Valentine’s Day. A day awash in red roses, heart-shaped boxes, and whispered sweet nothings. It’s a day dedicated to love, or so we’re told. But at St. Matthew’s, we believe love isn’t confined to a single day in February, nor is it limited to romantic gestures. Love, as we understand it through our faith, is so much bigger, so much more profound, and so much more present in our lives than a fleeting celebration.
Think about it: how often do we truly stop and consider the breadth and depth of love? We often associate Valentine’s Day with romantic love, the kind depicted in movies and serenaded in songs. And while that kind of love is certainly beautiful and worth celebrating, it’s just one facet of the multifaceted gem that is love. What about the love we have for our families, the unwavering support and connection that binds us together? What about the love we share with our friends, the laughter and shared experiences that nourish our souls? And what about the love we have for our community, the desire to serve and uplift those around us?
At St. Matthew’s, we believe that love is the very essence of our faith. Jesus tells us in Matthew 22:37-39, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” These words aren’t just a suggestion; they’re a call to action. They remind us that love isn’t just a feeling; it’s a way of being.
Think about the love God has for each and every one of us. It’s a love that is unconditional, unwavering, and ever-present. It’s a love that doesn’t depend on our successes or failures, our strengths or weaknesses. It’s a love that embraces us completely, just as we are. And because God loves us so deeply, we are called to love ourselves. This isn’t about vanity or ego; it’s about recognizing our inherent worth as children of God. It’s about accepting our imperfections and celebrating our unique gifts. How can we truly love others if we don’t first love ourselves?
At St. Matthew’s, we believe that love is not just a sentiment; it’s a verb. It’s something we do, something we live, something we share. It’s the energy that binds us together as a community, the force that empowers us to make a difference in the world. So, this Valentine’s Day, and every day, let’s choose love. Let’s choose kindness. Let’s choose compassion. Let’s choose to live as Jesus taught us, with love as our guiding light. Because at the end of the day, love is all that truly matters.
