Readings

Genesis 3:1-8 | Mark 7:31-37

Homily

If you ask St. Paul for what love is, he will say, Love is patient and kind; love is not jealous or boastful; it is not arrogant or rude. Love does not insist on its own way.   When we hear talk about ‘love’ all around us, I think the underlying definition is reduced to amorous and mutual romantic affection.   By that definition alone, I couldn’t love. I have chosen a life of celibacy, by which I will never marry or enjoy the benefits and responsibilities of the sacrament of holy matrimony.   Likewise for a large portion of the population: many unable to marry, or not yet of age, or are now widowed, and many other situations.

These limitations should sound very silly to you—b/c they are.   We know that love is much more than the fuzzy feelings a man and a woman have for each other. The kind of romantic attraction & affection for each other is good, but love can be found in any relationship b/c it has been revealed to us that God is love; the same God is present everywhere—love is everywhere.   Unfortunately, there are places where love is absent—& we feel it!

Still, love is manifested in several ways.   Did God really tell you not to eat from any of the trees in the garden?   She replied, We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden; it is only about the fruit of the tree in the middle of the garden that God said, “You shall not eat it or even touch it, lest you die.”   Easily, we focus on what I can’t do, but if we pay attention, God first told her what they may do: they may eat of the fruit of the trees; ‘then, there is one that is actually harmful for you—don’t eat from that one.’   God’s love was expressed as a way of prevention here.   In the Gospel, God’s love was manifested to the deaf-mute man by way of healing. “Ephphatha!”

I would anticipate today to be celebrating St. Valentine, but the liturgical calendar has us celebrating the memorial of Ss. Cyril and Methodius. They were brothers, Cyril a monk and Methodius a bishop. They served the 9^th c. Church in what is now the Czech Republic.   Their love was focused on serving their local faith community. Together they translated a great portion of the New Testament into Slavonic and composed the Slavonic liturgy (they even had to create an alphabet!).   I see great love there; 2 brothers who wanted others to know Jesus through the Scriptures & the divine liturgy.

Love takes many forms. It always places the other’s best interest,   w/o losing sight of your own well-being/due self-esteem/and care;    knowing that, in loving others, you are expressing your love for God.   That’s the type of love that I hope to see more in our culture, one that is not exclusive or hedonistic, but one that is open and truly seeks the other person’s true good.

Article

A helpful article on the Memorial of Ss. Cyril and Methodius and the (non-)celebration of St. Valentine.