Blooming

Whether it's Beethoven's version or Lauryn Hill's recreation, you know the song:

Joyful, Joyful we adore Thee:
God of glory, Lord of love.
Hearts unfold like flowers before thee,
Opening to the sun above.

We sang it in mass this morning, where I offered up prayers for my Valentine, my Most Favoritest Best Friend Ever. I think at St. Procop it's the song to sing this week, but it seems the most appropriate image for today, the Feast of St. Valentine.

Legend has it, Valentine was a Priest in the Roman days when Christians were imprisoned or killed. He was killed for marrying Christians, ritually demonstrating the sacredness of their Love before the God of Abraham ,issac, Jacob and Jesus. The blasphemy was considered treason, yet he apparently even performed the act while charged and in chains. Valentine paid the ultimate sacrifice for the sake of love, to unite people to each other and to God in the Spirit that is the essence of Divinity.

Days like this are good days, when my heart is supple and filled with the ache of growth and upward reaching. The sun has shone all day, illuminating the office, turning my face towards the outdoors. Lately the bitter wind of winter has been a better description of my face towards those around me: unforgiving, suspicious, annoyed. God of Love, let this day thaw me, reveal to my soul the loving, inseparable, intimate Love You radiate intensely on each of us human beings in every office, sidewalk and dungeon in the world. Let all of us bless as Valentine did.