St. Paul’s Valentines

“I thank my God every time I remember you….It is right for me to feel this way about all
of you since I have you in my heart” (Philippians 1:3,7).

St. Paul was sending valentines long before there was a word for it. That most brilliant of apostles loved instinctively and unstintedly. The Holy Spirit directed him to do the loving, kind and helpful things that would uplift his disciples and followers throughout the known world of the time. He loved them, and he told them that. He was happy that they existed, and he needed to share that joy with them. He realized the source of his love and joy, and it was imperative that they understood it, to the extend of their capacity for comprehending the mysteries of God.

Along with your prayer, you are given the opportunity to spread happiness throughout the world that you occupy.

It will cost you thirty-four cents presently to send a letter to somebody whose cheer tank is running on empty. Of course, you must have an abundance of joy to spare. If you have nothing positive in your soul, then it’s better for you both to keep your grief and misery to yourself.

You can telephone your friend. Local calls cost little, and we all have phones today. Some of us carry them around in our pockets. If you are thinking of somebody who is having difficulty, first pray for that person and then phone to tell them you are interested, concerned about their spiritual and physical health, and that you have prayed for them. Caretakers burn up positive energy daily. They always tend to the needs of their patients or loved ones who consume an abundance of spiritual graces constantly. Even by leaving a kind, warm expression of intent to be in touch on their answering machine will leave a friendly feeling. They will know that somebody cared enough to pray for them. How reassuring it is to be aware that somebody out there is concerned for their well-being.

If you know that a family is going through a period of transition, dealing with a change in their lives either due to the health of a family member or that the family is going through a time of trial, enduring the struggles that accompany the bad news that the breadwinner has lost his or her job, find the right time and words to communicate your empathy. They would welcome a sincere expression by phone call, by mail, or best of all, in person.

Technology has made instant communication possible. E-mail is so inexpensive and takes so little time to send that it’s unfortunate more of us cannot utilize that vehicle to express our thought and prayers or comfort to those we love.

Cell phones are a mixed blessing. Irritating to hear them go off in public, rude and insensitive to others in society when they ignore all others around the users; yet they can be instruments of blessings and comfort. Like all technological and scientific breakthroughs, they are positive or negative, depending on the users. May we find ways to utilize them for good, spreading cheer and joy to all whom we know would welcome expressions of uplift and words of comfort in our daily routine.

The best and most helpful way to show your care and affection is in person. No machine made by IBM will equal your smile. No photographic device will capture the gaze from your eyes of kindness and concern for the welfare of one whom you carry about in your heart. No telephone can tell as well as the sight and sound from your lips that it’s important for one who lives with loneliness that she can never be alone while you are alive to carry her image within your soul.