Love for This Holy Day

     So it's Valentine's Day, and it's all about love, right?  Or perhaps we should say romance or maybe even lust.  The card companies used to make a lot of money off Valentine's Day, but perhaps not so much, given the Internet and social media.  Candy and flowers probably still do well, and restaurants and the like a quite busy!  But what about love?
     For Christians, this is what should separate us from nearly all otherwise religious people: “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous" (Mathew 5:43-45). 
     Love your enemy, huh?  I bet you never heard that suggested for Valentine's Day.  How many people, people not pretty, not buff, not smart, not normal, how many of them get to enjoy Valentine's Day?  I'm a 70-year-old bachelor, so not much romance for me, not for quite some time.
     As a pastor, preacher, teacher, write, and counselor, I've always talked about agape love.  Agape is the Greek word for God's love, which is compassionate, unconditional, unselfish, sacrificial.  Jesus set the example, "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8). Saving through his grace, he not only saves but turn enemies into friends...brothers and sisters. One piece of American history makes me especially proud, as we have done this, rather than perpetuating war, we have turned former enemies into friends and allies. For nations and tribes and some religions, this is nearly impossible, but with God, all things are possible.
     So, not just for Valentine's Day, but for every day, make sure you love like Jesus loved and commanded us to do.  Yes, love our husband, wife, daughter, son, parents and other family, love friends, neighbors, fellow believers, and, yes, even enemies.  What about romance?  What could better set one's heart to beating that this?  What about sex?  That, too, works out better when agape love is the overarching emotion and motivation.  What about when love seems to have departed a relationship, even a marriage?  Even if hatred seems to have invaded where love was or perhaps only seemed to be, agape in the spirit of Jesus can turn things around.
     In that spirit, may I say, "Happy, loving Valentine's Day!"