Journal of Sacred Work

   Happy Valentine’s Day! Is there anything more original we have to offer on Valentine’s Day than our own experience of this occasion – and our own way of sharing with someone we love?
   For those of you that will celebrate most of this day looking after others, God bless you!
   Today, many of us will see and taste those little candy hearts that made their appearance early in our lives through the rituals of family and elementary school. Those are the hearts that say corny things like: "Love ya’" or "You’re Special" or "My Sweetheart."
   At my grammar school, we created shoe boxes with slots in them and made Valentines to give away to each other. This resulted in the awkward phenomenon of some kids getting lots of Valentines while others, Charlie Brown-like, received almost none. In the fourth grade, I made three separate Valentines for Claudia Martin. I thought she was the cutest girl I’d ever seen and, at age nine, I wanted to be sure she knew of my affection (yes, I liked girls even that early.)…. 

  Some combination of our laziness and our unwillingness to trust our own creativity causes us to turn to the card companies for help in creating messages of love. Originally intended as romantic gifts between lovers, Valentine cards are now, of course, widely exchanged
among friends.
   While many men find this an awkward twenty-four hours, most women
thrive on the hopes born on this occasion. Millions of marriage proposals have been made on this day and more will be made tonight. This evening, restaurant tables will be sold out across America as couples celebrate their romance.
   Yet, I can’t help but think of all those who will spend this day bereft of the love they have once known and lost, or may have never known at all. In the care of America’s hospices, for example, many will spend their last Valentine’s Day bidding farewell to this world.
   In the charities that care for victims of abuse, staff members will look after those who have experienced brutality and hostility from someone close to them instead of kindness and affection. Still more may spend this day semi-conscious in a hospital bed while those who love them pray for their recovery.
   Bless those who will care for these wounded souls on this day.

  It is interesting to note that the earliest origins of Valentine’s Day are grounded in martyrdom and sacrifice rather than in romance. As you may know, there is some confusion about the identity of the
original Valentine, but he is thought to have been a 3rd century
Christian martyr. It was not until the time of 14th century England, through the writing of Chaucer, that this day became closely associated with romance. Before then, the celebration of the one or more martyrs that bore the name Valentine was recognized as a time of appreciating their sacrifice for their beliefs.   
   This is why we want to send to you, one of America’s caregivers, a special Valentine tribute. Thank you for your sacrifice on behalf of love. Thank you for being a Valentine for the people for whom you care and for your team members. All of the shoe boxes in the world, filled with heart-shaped cards and candies, will never be enough to thank you for the gifts you give each day.
   St. Valentine shares his halo with you today, and everyday.

Today’s Poem – Of Love

   Emily Dickinson, who never married and lived as a virtual recluse was nevertheless able to create some of the finest love poems ever written.

Come slowly, Eden
Lips unused to thee.
Bashful, sip they jasmines,
As the fainting bee,
reaching late his flower,
Round her chamber hums,
Counts his nectars – alights,
And is lost in balms

   Whether you are alone tonight or with someone you love, I send you wishes for a Happy Day of love and light.

-Erie Chapman