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| Show True Love |
Valentine is here again, the day set aside to
celebrate pure love demonstrated by a Priest known as Valentine when hedisobeyed Emperor Claudius II’s decree that Soldier must remain unmarried. Claudius handed down this decree believing
that soldiers would be distracted by their wives and will not be able to
concentrate on fighting if they are to be married or engaged. Valentine defiled the orders of the Emperor
and performed marriage ceremonies for couples secretly. As a result of this defiance, Valentine was
put to death on February 14. After his
death, he was made a Saint.
As Christianity spread through Rome, the
priests moved the feast of Lupercalia (a pre Roman Pastoral Festival to avert
spirits and purify the city, releasing health and fertility. It was also for pairing of young men and
women) to February 14 and named it St. Valentine’s Day to honor St Valentine.
Today, Valentine’s Day means many things to
many people. To some, it is a day to
give and receive gifts. They look
forward to beautiful gifts that will leave lasting impression in their
lives. Expectations are always very high
among couples and not getting a gift from a partner is always regarded as not
showing love.
To many it is a day of Indulgence. This is mostly practiced by singles; they
indulge in all kinds of things including immoralities all in the name of
Valentine. Some will go as far as losing
their virginity in order to secure a Val.
To others it is a day to seal their love. Many marriage proposals are done on this day
and those with trouble and broken marriages finds it a suitable day to renew
their vows and restore peace in their homes.
These are some of the reasons why people
celebrate Valentine but to you, what does valentine mean.
To me Valentine day is a symbol of true and
selfless love. True love entails total
self giving as Christ did on the cross of Calvary. True love has no selfish interest; it is not
hateful or self servicing. It has no
end.
Love is man’s true nature as man was created in
love that is why it is said that man is the product of self diffusive goodness of
God’s love. Therefore man is mandated to
love and live in love (1 John 3:11)
‘Love One Another’. This is why every man celebrates and desire
love irrespective of religion and age.
As we celebrate this year’s Valentine’s Day,
let us purify our love so that we can have a better relationship, better
marriage, better faith practices and eventually a better world.