Daily Prayer, 14 February

Helping young Sailors manage their separation from loved ones is a big part of any chaplain’s job, and one of the holidays that makes separation more acute is Valentine’s Day. To a new generation that has been taught to look upon history as a series of unfortunate events managed and experienced by fools, the idea that there are examples in our past from which we can learn is a novel one, and the concept of saints as something other than dusty old relics is even more foreign. Introducing young people to a new way to help navigate life by following in forebears’ footsteps and learning their struggles is part of the point of this Evening Prayer. Another is cracking open their minds to the idea that love may be something more than modern culture thinks it is.

Happy St. Valentine’s Day! As with any saint’s feast day, today is the anniversary not of his birth, but of his death—the moment that Christians view as a translation into a heavenly life. Saint Valentine’s day, then, is his heavenly birthday. He was martyred on this date in 269AD.

One of the legends associated with this 3^rd century Italian saint is that he would secretly perform weddings for Christian couples during the persecutions of Claudius Gothicus, who was emperor at the time. For his defiance of Imperial law he was imprisoned and sentenced to death.

While imprisoned St. Valentine healed the blindness of the jailer’s daughter, prompting both her and her father to convert to Christianity. At his trial, he saint even tried to convert the Emperor, rather than renounce his faith, which was the only thing required of him to be freed. For his loyalty to his faith and beliefs he was beaten with clubs, stoned, and eventually beheaded.

When the observance of this martyr’s feast began to grow, much of his popularity was due to the love he showed to others and his commitment to the love of young couples who wished to be married, and so we think—appropriately—of love on this day. But what exactly is love? Contrary to popular belief, love is not a feeling—warm, fuzzy, or otherwise.

One of the best definitions I know for love is this: You truly love someone when that person’s physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being is at least as important to you as your own. Ultimately, what this means is that “love” means suffering. Just ask any parent and he or she can describe for you what I mean. St. Valentine’s love for others brought him much suffering, but is what made him a saint. May God teach us how to love so well.

LET US PRAY

God of love and mercy, teach us to reflect your love to others. Teach us how to love deeply and righteously. Remind us of the love of those with whom we might celebrate this feast but for the distance which now separates us. Keep us close in their hearts, hold them near to ours, and unite us together through Your infinite love. Comfort us and our “Valentines” at home, for You are present everywhere and fill all things, and to you we give thanksgiving and worship always. Now and forever and to the ages of ages

AMEN