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St. Valentine's Day

Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than human beings!  (Acts 5:29)

Since today is Valentine’s Day, it seems appropriate for us to consider the day. According to what I have found, the story begins with the Roman Emperor, Claudius, who decided that only single men could serve in the army because that way, they would not divide their loyalties between the crown and their wives.

Not surprisingly, the single men started getting married in droves, which led to Claudius forbidding marriage. It may also be noted that Claudius wasn’t fond of Christians and forbade proselytizing by them. Again, not surprisingly, Valentine continued to perform marriage ceremonies in secret, and continued to tell others about Jesus Christ.

This may not be the true story of Valentine, but it’s ten-thousand times more likely to be his story than the idea that Valentine’s Day is all about romance and paying the price (cards, chocolates, dinner out) for a tumble in the sheets. After all, that’s making a prostitute of the one who is paid. Is that being too brutal? Maybe, but the point is that the ideas with which we celebrate St. Valentine’s Day have nothing to do with St. Valentine.

Some may say, “But – love” and “love is love,” but St. Valentine – as a man who performed marriage ceremonies – would not agree. Instead, he would probably have encouraged Valentine’s Day to be about obeying God rather than man, no matter the consequences.  In some ways, we should probably consider Valentine’s Day to celebrate social justice warriors – or better, Christian soldiers – than romantic love, or the step lower: romance and sex.

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