Looking for community and fellowship this semester? Join us as we study God's word! Graduate Christian Fellowship will be having our first meeting this semester on Thursday, September 3rd starting at 7 pm at The Center of Wellbeing, Room 118. We'd love to see you there!
]]>Saint Valentine and Valentine’s Day
Today, February 14th is commonly celebrated as Valentine’s Day with gifts of chocolate, colorful & poetic cards, amorous dinners, and other whimsical gestures. Some hope for a special person with whom to spend the evening, some send everyone they know notes/cards expressing their care, while others dread and resent the day because of its representations of romantic love.
So how did February 14th come to be the focus of chocolate, roses, and fancy dinners? February 14th is actually the day that the Catholic church remembers St Valentine of Rome. Valentine lived during the third-century and, though not much is known about him, there is a high level of agreement that he was martyred and buried north of Rome on the Via Flaminia. Perhaps this recollection should not be limited to those of us who are Catholic. Here are a few stories that seem to be repeated about Valentine’s life.
Valentine and Judge Asterius.
One common story about St. Valentine is that, as the former Bishop of Terni, Narnia and Amelia, he was placed under house arrest by Judge Asterius. While discussing religion and faith with the Judge, Valentine pledged the validity of Jesus. Asterius put Valentine and his faith to the test by challenging Valentine to restore the sight of his blind daughter. If Valentine could do this, Asterius vowed to do anything for him. Valentine prayed and the child’s vision was restored. Humbled, Judge Astherius did as Valentine requested, breaking every idol in his home. He also fasted for three days and became baptized. Not only Asterius, but his entire family and household were baptized. Additionally, the judge, now committed to Jesus, freed all the Christians that he had detained as inmates.
Valentine arrested.
Valentine was arrested again because he would not stop attempting to convert people to Christianity. It was illegal and therefore dangerous to declare faith in Jesus or to identify as a Christian. With this latter arrest, he was sent to Rome where he came in contact with the emperor Claudius II. It is under Claudius that Valentine was martyred for his faith. It is reported that attention was drawn to him because he would marry Christian couples and aided Christians who were being persecuted by Claudius. These were considered very serious crimes. During his imprisonment, Valentine attempted to see Claudius convert to Jesus. His attempts enraged Claudius and Valentine was sentenced to death. Valentine was given the opportunity to renounce his faith and thereby avoid being beaten and beheaded. Valentine refused this offer and was executed on February 14. Though the date of his execution is debated, it occurred somewhere between 269-280.
St Valentine’s valentines
An additional story about this faithful Saint is that, while awaiting his death, he wrote notes of encouragement to the other Christian prisoners and to the members of his community. He reminded them of Jesus’ love and urged everyone to remain strong in their faith. Legend has it that on his execution day, he even wrote a note to the girl whom he had healed and signed it, “Your Valentine.”
Modern Valentines.
Interesting that our modern take away from the life of St Valentine is to buy and give expensive gifts for a special someone. St Valentine’s legacy might be better remembered as holding a fierce and bold faith that would not be deterred from proclaiming the love of Jesus or from caring profoundly for those who are suffering as a result of their faith. Notes of encouragement to those who may be discouraged, visiting or writing on behalf of those imprisoned because of their convictions, and serving the needy in the community may be better ways to honor his memory. Choosing civil disobedience, when to submit to the law would be in conflict with what it means to follow Jesus, may be costly… but doing what is right and helping others to do likewise, too, may honor the invitation that Valentine presented to those of his day.
May your Valentine’s Day be filled with opportunities to experience, show, and proclaim the love of Jesus.
Lent, a significant period in the Christian calendar. It is a time of preparation and reflection that begins with Ash Wednesday and continues for 40 days. The Lenten season culminates in the celebration of Easter (Resurrection Sunday). The focus of this time is preparing hearts to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus, the Christ. During the Lenten season, many choose to practice some form of fasting (refraining from certain foods or activities) and using the time that would have been spent on the activity being fasted from in order to focus on the death and resurrection of Christ as well as the union of believers in Jesus with Him.
Lent developed with a missional context. As we let go of unhelpful habits or patterns, denies ourself, follow/draw nearer to Jesus, we also chooses to extend the self-giving love of Christ to others. So - there is self denial, but also self-giving. In this way, the Lenten season allows us to refocus and recenter our lives. Intentionally practicing our new life in Christ with disciplines of prayer, fasting, and repentance can be of great value. In fact, these patterns and practices we be so lifegiving, that we choose to continue them well after the conclusion of Lent.
If you decide you would like to explore some of these patterns, here’s a suggestion. Think about making adjustment in your relationship with God, self, and others… ie making these relationships right or just.
1. Choose a form of Prayer (justice towards God)
a. Perhaps you do not currently talk with God each day – you could choose to use time that would have been spent on the activity that you choose for your fast to talk with God.
b. There are many 40 day devotional guides that you can choose to use to shape your time with God.
c. You could choose to focus on a particular prayer component – praise (God’s character), thanksgiving (noticing the ways God is moving in and around you, the prayers He answers, the good things he has given), petition (choose a people group or nation and spend time asking God to move on their behalf). There are many options
2. Choose a form of fasting (justice towards self)
a. a meal each day, a food that you will refrain from eating for 40 days (chocolate, coffee, something you really like – but choose to fast),
b. an activity – like online games, youtube, tv.
c. These are suggestions. You will want to ask Jesus how to do this.
3. Choose a form of almsgiving (justice toward neighbor).
Almsgiving has often been considered money given to the poor. It may also include ways that you choose to serve in a focused way during Lent.
a. Consider saving the money you would have spent on that meal/treat from which you are fasting, and give it away. It may help to prayerfully determine where this money will go early in your fast… or even before you begin. Doing so provides focus and may help when you feel tempted to eat it anyway.
b. Spend the time you would commit to the activity from which are fasting and serve on campus or in the community.
Also – sometimes it helps to have others join you in one or more of these 3 aspects of justice. This provides encouragement, accountability, and fellowship.
All this to say – Lent begins on Wednesday, February 14th this year. This could provide a life changing opportunity as you seek to know Jesus and follow Him more closely. If you have any questions or would like help thinking and praying through ways for you to engage Lent, feel free to contact me. I’d be honored to help in whatever way I can…. Including helping you find devotional resources and ideas for giving or service.
Valerie Gladu vrgladu@umbc.edu