March 2021 Beacon

February is also the month we celebrate Valentines Day. A day to celebrate romance and love. Although its origins are somewhat mysterious, subject to argument, and varied the legends mostly lead us back to Saint Valentine. Three different saints are recognized as Saint Valentine or Valentinus by the Catholic Church and the stories surrounding each are different. You can research and pick your favorite but; spoiler alert, all three were martyred. As by the time you read this Valentines Day will have passed I hope you took the time to find that perfect Hallmark card, buy those roses, buy those chocolates, go to that favorite restaurant, and celebrate the love in your heart for that special someone. Our earthly love is a gift from God to be cherished and nurtured. During this month let us also never forget God’s teachings on the purity of Godly love we should show towards one another. If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 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. If I give all I possess to the poor and give my body over to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails…… Paul concludes this chapter on Love in verse 13 by saying that in the end there are three essential things that will matter – FAITH, HOPE, and LOVE and the greatest of these is Love. The word of our Lord 1 Corinthians 13 (NIV)