Let’s talk about love
Did you know that approximately 150 million Valentine’s Day cards are exchanged annually making Valentine’s Day the second most popular card-sending holiday, after Christmas?
Well now you know… but what is the real story behind romantic holiday?
After much research on the web, there isn’t one truly ‘certain’ story behind Valentine’s Day. Many talk about how the Catholic Church recognizes at least three different saints named Valentine, all of whom were martyred. One legend notes that Valentine was a priest who served during the 3rd century in Rome. At that time, the emperor, Claudius II decided that the better soldier were those that were single, therefore he outlawed marriage for young men. Valentine, realizing that this was wrong, continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secrecy, but when the emperor found out about his actions, he was imprisoned and ordered to be put to death. Apparently, an imprisoned Valentine actually sent his first “valentine” after he fell in love with a young girl who visited him during his confinement. Before his death, he wrote his very last letter to her and signed it “From your Valentine”, an expression which we still use today. Although, most of the legends are ambiguous, most of them display Valentine as a sympathetic, heroic and romantic figure. It is because of this reputation that Valentine would become one of the most popular saints in England and France.
This brings me to talk about the unconditional love that we have been given, even though we didn’t deserve it. I am talking about God’s everlasting love for us. God loved us so much that He sent His one and only son to die on the cross for us, so that we may be saved from our sins. Do you know how much love that is? I know that we have heard this many times but have you truly experienced that love from our Savior? If you know about it, but don’t know Him, I encourage spending time in His Word and spending daily time with Him in the morning. I pray that you will come to know his everlasting love and grace, and that His blessing would pour upon you. As this Valentine’s Day approaches, let it not be just about chocolate, candy, roses, and notes, but also about sharing God’s love with those around you and learning more about Him.
As you go throughout your day, reflect on this verse and feel God’s love:
John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him, should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
Maria Perez, Health Science Pre-Med
Student Blogger
College of Health Science