“Keep the Heart Priority Straight”

“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” —Matthew 22:36-40

February is best known for Valentine's Day. No matter how old we are, I suppose we can all remember getting those little paper Valentines at school with cartoon characters on them and brief messages like “Be Mine.” Of course, when thirty other kids in the same classroom are getting the same message, we don't exactly take them all that seriously, do we?

Later in life, there come the Valentines that carry genuine messages of romantic interest, oftentimes from “secret” admirers. Such Valentines can be a lifesaver for shy boys especially, but also a means for great disappointment.

Saint Valentine, for whom the day is named, was a real person, a third-century Christian martyr who lost his life because of his dedication to the Gospel. While imprisoned in Rome, the story goes, he fell in love with the jailer's daughter and wrote her notes that he signed with the words: “Your Valentine.” Perhaps Valentine could have had the love of his life, if only he had been willing to deny Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior, but he had his priorities straight.

And maybe that's the best lesson we could take from this early Christian's life. Valentine was willing to go to his death rather than lose the first love of his life, his love for God. In confirmation class, during our study of the 6th Commandment, we talk about what characteristics will be important when they get older and may be looking for someone with which to share their lives. Usually I share with them the advice I received from my pastor: “The kind of girls/boys you date are likely to be the kind of girl/boy that you marry.” In other words, if marrying a Christian is a priority then those are the kinds of people we want to surround ourselves with in the first place.

But, no matter with whom we fall in love, as Christians we seek to keep our priorities straight! Our love for God ought to come first, even in matters of the heart.

Yours, in Christ's LOVE,