Pastor's Corner: Beyond Valentine: The ultimate love story

This week some will begin to observe that ecclesiastical season called Lent. For a portion that means Mardi Gras followed by six weeks of self denial in some form. Others will gather each Wednesday for special religious observances. The ultimate destination is Easter -- the journey revisits the final events of Jesus' ministry, traditionally beginning with his being tempted by Satan in the forty day wilderness experience.

Whether or not Lent is part of your calendar, focusing on the meaning of those events can bring tremendous peace to our lives. No, giving up some pleasurable thing is not going to impress anyone (including God), but meditating on the wondrous demonstration of God's love will certainly cause us to reexamine our priorities, change our everyday behavior, and instill in us a desire to honor the One who so unselfishly gave all so that we might have life eternal and abundant.

Since the beginning humans have gotten it wrong. We have clung to the notion that somehow, by sheer will and effort, we could seek out and win the favor of God. History is filled with accounts of individuals, societies and civilizations who were trying to do just that. Although God had told (and often reminded) our forebearers of the "rules of engagement," they continually reverted to human plans.

Jesus came to be the physical completion of God's plan. He came to invite us to make a "declaration of dependence" to God, and to demonstrate that, with God's help, it is possible. He came to show that we can never find God because God is the one who does the seeking and saving. He came to free us from the frenetic attempt to do, do, do by inviting us to "come" and to "take my yoke" because the work of appeasing God is DONE. The apostle Paul encourages us to "work out our salvation," that is to allow gratitude to God to live and work to the glory of the one who rescued us from slavery to sin. James tells us that true faith is demonstrated in good works -- not works to bribe God, but works to glorify God who in love redeemed us.

St. Valentine is remembered for helping lovers to marry, and is honored with a day. Jesus came as God's love to humankind and should be honored with a lifetime. The Gospel (or Good News) is this: "For God loved the world so much that he sent His only begotten son that whoever believes in him will not perish but will have everlasting life." (John 3:16)

May we use these next weeks to remind ourselves that we are part of the ultimate love story in which the One who loves us most not only wooed us but gave all so we might have life abundant and eternal, and may meditating on these things fill us with God's peace.