The Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time (A)
Dear brothers and sisters,
We do not know when it first came into effect, but for quite some time during the reign of the emperors of Rome soldiers of that expansive empire were forbidden to enter into marriage.[1] Recognizing the injustice of such a situation a priest of the city of Rome stepped forward to enter into combat against the forces of the one who sought to outlaw what is natural to man. His name, of course, was Valentine. He became a solider, not of the Roman Empire, but of “the King of kings and the Lord of lords” (Revelation 17:14).
Knowing the beauty and importance of marriage for the good not only of the spouses but also of society, Saint Valentine ignored the order of the emperor Claudius and witnessed the marriages of imperial soldiers. For his defiance of that unjust law, Saint Valentine was beheaded on February 14th about the year a.d. 270. Saint Valentine is one of those “who walk in the law of the Lord” and so his “way is blameless” (Psalm119:1).
What
was it that made him bold enough to disregard the emperor? What gave him the
courage to defend marriage? Certainly Saint Valentine knew the teachings of the
Lord Jesus regarding the indissolubility of marriage, which we heard again a
moment ago (cf. Matthew 5:31-32). Valentine invited others to adhere to what
the Epistle to the Hebrews says about marriage: “Let marriage be honored among
all and the marriage bed be kept undefiled, for God will judge the immoral and
the adulterers” (Hebrews 13:4).%20-%20Profile%201%20-%20Microsoft%E2%80%8B%20Edge.png)
One of the best ways for marriage to be honored among all is to combat lustful thoughts and desires. Having so many unmarried young men wandering about the empire likely provided them many opportunities to commit adultery in their hearts (cf. Matthew 5:13). Valentine sought to combat these desires by helping the soldiers enter the bond of marriage so that they might not be lost.
Saint Valentine also recognized marriage to be a very “great mystery” because, between the baptized, marriage is to be a reflection of the love of Christ Jesus for his Bride, the Church (Ephesians 5:32). The grace of the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony helps husband and wife to be “companions in [the] shipwreck” of his life, guiding and helping each other to arrive at the safe harbor of heaven.[2] Regrettably, too few have this same understanding of marriage today because too many spouses view marriage as a means to attain their own happiness instead of viewing marriage as a means to attain the happiness of their spouse. Marriage ends up flipped on its head, no longer as a means of selfless love of the other, as a mirror of the love of Christ, but as a means for self-centered love.
Such a mindset, of course, flies in the face of love exemplified for us by Christ Jesus who shows us “love in its most radical form.”[3] It is only from the pierced side of Christ “that our definition of love must begin.”[4] Indeed, “in this contemplation the Christian discovers the path along which his life and love must move.”[5] Anything claiming to be spousal love that does not imitate the love of the Crucified Savior is inauthentic and is not worthy of the bond of marriage.
In grade school – and perhaps into adulthood – it is common to ask someone, “Will you be my Valentine?” At the unconscious heart of this question is a far more important question, namely, “Are you willing to shed your blood for love? Are we willing to allow me to shed my blood for love? Can we together creep deeper into the pierced side of Christ to learn what love truly is?”
Saint Valentine gave his life because he honored marriage and in the shedding of his blood he imitated the most radical form of love. Let us not be afraid to seek his intercession so that we, too, might be willing to do the same. May we also be imitators of that most radical form of love so that, trusting in God, we, too, may live (cf. Sirach 15:15). Amen.
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