Passage of the Day:
If I speak in the tongues[a] of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast,[b] but do not have love, I gain nothing. 4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears, 1 Corinthians 13:1-9.
Reflection:
Saint Valentine was a priest in the 3rd century who defied the restrictive marriage laws of Rome. Saint Valentine blessed couples who were forbidden to marry, suffering a martyr’s death by standing up for his personal and spiritual convictions. This is the real story of Valentine’s Day, a man of God who possessed a heart of love. While this national holiday emphasizes the eros, sensual form of love, don’t miss the opportunity to develop your own heart of love.
Prayerful Action:
When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. 12 For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. 13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love, 1 Corinthians 13:11-13.
Restoring Your Heart:
The apostle Paul begins this chapter on love with a subtle riddle. You may be the greatest athlete, possess the most impressive gift or were born with an amazing talent. Despite how earth shattering your abilities may be, without love, you’re nothing. This is built upon Jesus’ strategy at the conclusion of the Sermon on the Mount, Matthew 7:24-27. Unless your beliefs are demonstrated daily via acts of faith, everything you stand for is meaningless. Love naturally flows out of Christians, Galatians 5:22-23, who develop and possess a heart of love.
Song of the Day:
If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. 12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends, John 15:10-13. Those who love are moved by the Holy Spirit to place others above themselves. This is a sign of a heart of love.
by Jay Mankus
ExpressYourself4Him 