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Valentine Homily
By Fr. Dennis | February 14, 2008
Preaching today in the seminary chapel. Click for today’s readings.
All across America today, there are men in crisis mode. Husbands are right about now realizing that they didn’t get a card for their wives, or that they didn’t make dinner reservations at the nicest restaurant in town. Boyfriends are realizing they forgot to run by a flower shop to pick up a dozen red roses or a cute teddy bear with hearts on it that just a few months ago they would have laughed at but which today seems really important. Right now, all across America, though hopefully not amongst the seminarian community, there are young men who have spent two months salary on the diamond ring they are carrying in their pocket, freaking out about what they will say and how they will say it.
And somewhere, there’s that guy who’s taking his girlfriend to a college basketball game tonight where, after the 3rd quarter, he will tell his girlfriend to look up at the scoreboard to see, “Tiffany, will you marry me? –Jordan” flashing in big letters for everyone to see.
In the wide world around us, today is Valentine’s Day. Pious legend tells us that before he gave his life as a martyr for the sake of the gospel, this ancient bishop was performing marriages for Roman soldiers in secret because the emperor Claudius thought soldiers would fight better without wives and families. Valentine was arrested and eventually executed for his commitment to the gospel through his commitment to marriage and family. He gave up everything for the sake of love, and he held nothing back.
The Lord Jesus tells us that if we, who are wicked, know how to give good gifts to those we love, like the husband who wants to take his wife to dinner today, or the boyfriend who is buying flowers for his girlfriend, or Jordan who will propose to Tiffany tonight at the big game, then how much more will our heavenly Father give good things to those who ask him. How much more indeed!
For when God gives good things to us, he holds nothing back. Nothing! For God so loved the world, for God so loved you and me, that he sent his only Son, who feeds us today with his Word, and with his very flesh and blood. The intimacy Jesus offers us today, his great proposal on this Valentine’s Day, is a proposal of purest love. And he’s written it in a huge sign right up there for the whole world to see. [point up to large crucifix]
And he hopes you’ll say yes. He hopes you’ll let go of whatever is holding you back, whatever is keeping you down, whatever is blocking your progress. He hopes you’ll say yes, and hold nothing back.
Topics: Homilies |
February 14th, 2008 at 10:32 am
and to all those guys running around going nuts, I say, “Bah! Humbug!”
Hallmark and American Greeting will scarce see any coins from me today! Hah!
…but those Whitman chocolates, that might be a different matter…
February 14th, 2008 at 11:11 am
Bah Humbug is right.
February 14th, 2008 at 4:34 pm
Happy Cyril and Methodius Day!
or, as I heard it called today,
Happy Single Awareness Day!
February 20th, 2008 at 1:00 pm
Completely off topic. Who is your favorite saint? I always forget to ask when I’m talking to you.
AMDG<
Janet
February 22nd, 2008 at 8:30 am
Wonderful Blog
thankyou may God use all you write to bless many people 
February 25th, 2008 at 12:25 pm
Why is your website playing Desperado?