Gospel Reflections for February 15 2015
Jesus performs an amazing healing in today’s Gospel. A sick man walks away healed and happy. The mission of Jesus is to do just that, to make people happy in the deepest way possible. When people saw that happen, they ran to Him! When He builds a good event …people come!
February 14th is “St. Valentine’s Day.” That event actually has very deep roots in our Catholic history. While not a lot is known about St. Valentine, archaeological traditions affirm he actually existed.
The strongest tradition indicates he was a priest in the 3rd century. The Roman emperor, Claudius II, needed more soldiers for conquest. At that time, Roman soldiers had to be unmarried, so in order to draft more recruits; Claudius outlawed marriage!
Valentine would have none of this! He knew our Catholic faith holds marriage as a most important sacrament. He put the word out that he would perform marriages no matter what the risk. He evaded Roman authorities and performed countless marriages in secret places in the nearby forests. Hundreds of couples risked arrest to receive the Sacrament of Marriage from St. Valentine. It is a powerful historical testament to how much these young people wanted the blessing of God on their commitment to love each other forever.
St. Valentine was eventually caught, and executed. Before he died, he wrote a letter to one of the couples he married and signed it, “…from your Valentine.” and so a loving tradition began.
We believe that marriage is the very center of our faith. Pope Francis began a yearlong series of meetings (synods) on marriage in the Vatican that will culminate this October. I attended a follow-up meeting in Rome last November. I will speak about both in my talk on the Vatican Synods in our University Session on Thursday, March 5th at St. Max in Agoura Hills. I will share some remarkable new ideas from Pope Francis on marriage, divorce, remarriage, annulments, and same sex couples.
(You can learn about The University Series here.)
Scientists today know that marriage predates all of human written history, and actually began millions of years ago! Many believe it might even be the cause of our evolutionary success. I will speak about these latest paleontological discoveries in my talk on Adam and Eve & Evolution at our University Session on Thursday, February 19th at St. Julie’s in Newbury Park. (Check out the whole program at theuniversityseries.org)
Every University session hopes to provide what Jesus did to that sick person in need of healing. We hope every session will help make your life more happy, healthy, and holy!
God Bless!
Fr. Dave
A most beautiful St. Valentine’s Day to you Father Dave!!! Love our St. Valentine and his beauty and love of the sacrament of marriage!!!We are so excited about the University Series!(!A time to grow explore, appreciate and love our amazing Faith and share it with others!!! We will see you there!!! Have a lovely day in Jesus and Mary’s sweet love!!!!!!
Love, franca and Dick
See you soon at the University!
Fr. Dave,
As you know, I’m a life-long Catholic with gray hair. Nevertheless, I’ve never really known or appreciated the source of Valentine’s Day until I saw your latest article – Thanks!
Yes, rather than a sentimental figure on a Hallmark Card, Valentine was a very courageous priest. We need more like him!
Thank you for the wonderful story of St. Valentine. Another great thing written about marriage is from the German philosopher Dietrich Bonhoeffer, who said from prison, “It is not your love that sustains the marriage, but from now on, the marriage that sustains your love.”
Well said!
Father Dave,
Due to some health issues I did not sign up for the University Series. I seem to be over the hump and would like to attend. Can I pay the tuition when I arrive?
Yes, of course! You can simply arrive at any University session you want and pay $8.00, which also entitles you to bring a friend for free. When you pay, your friend gets in free. We have that system because we think that most people like to attend with someone else. However, if you come by yourself, you can always pay at the door for any session. See you at the University!
I had forgotten the story about St. Valentine and appreciate your explanation and reminder of the courage and conviction he had. Because of his fearless dedication to the sanctity of marriage he has left his mark on the world in a very positive way (albeit secular at times) over all these years! Believers and non believers alike share a day of unselfish giving to those they love. THAT is good!
Looking forward to hearing all the great talks at the University Series.! THANK YOU for having created this wonderful way to grow during Lent. Blessings, Patty B.
See you soon at the University!
Yes, indeed, you built the UNIVERSITY, and many will enthusiastically come!
Nice to read the story about St. Valentine, as we were under the impression that he had been
removed from official list of canonized saints.
Bob and Rose Mary
Fr. Dave,
Your commentary on a genuine Christian Marriage is opposite of how society and media portray Love. The movie “Fifty Shades of Grey” was the highest grossing R rated movie for an opening weekend. This movie is not about love. It is about an emotionally immature man victimizing a passive young woman. This popular book and movie is sending the wrong message to young men and women about Love. It is very sad that this movie is getting so much attention!!