Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
We had an engaging conversation during our Zoom Coffee Hour on Sunday, February 14th.
We discussed Father Eric’s thoughtful sermon about Jesus, His Transfiguration, and the significance of Mount Tabor. We discussed Father Eric’s description of his crazy taxi ride when he went to visit the Holy Land and traveled to Mount Tabor.
I also shared the Legend of St. Valentine, which is attached below for you to read.
Peace and love,
Deacon Lauren
Audio Recording
Listen to Deacon Lauren’s reflection.
The Legend of St. Valentine
The story of St. Valentine begins in the third century with an oppressive Roman emperor and a humble Christian martyr. The emperor name was Claudius and the Christian name was Valentinus of as we know him, Valentine. This story took place in the year 270.
Emperor Claudius had ordered all Roman citizens to worship twelve gods and he made it a crime if you didn’t worship as he dictated.
But Valentine believed in only one God just like we do. And he was committed to believing in Jesus Christ even if it meant that he was going to have to be arrested and put in prison and even die for his faith in Jesus Christ.
During the last weeks of Valentine’s life, while he was in prison an amazing thing happened. Seeing that he was a man of learning, the jailor asked whether his daughter Julie, might be brought to Valentine for lessons. Julia had been born blind. It is said that she was a pretty young girl with a quick mind. Valentine read stories to her about Roman history. He described the world to Julia and all its beauty. Valentine taught her math and he taught her about God and Jesus Christ.
Julia saw the world through Valentine’s eyes. She trusted the knowledge that he shared with her. She found comfort in his quiet strength.
One day Julia asked, “Valentine does God really hear our prayers/”
Valentine replied, “Yes, my child. He hears each one.
“Do you know what I pray for every night? I pray that I might see. I want so much to see everything that you’ve told me about!”
“God does what is best for us if we only believe in him.” Valentine said.
“Oh, Valentine, I do believe,” Julia said intensely. “I do.” Then Julia knelt and grabbed his hand.
They sat quietly together, each praying. Suddenly, there was a brilliant light in the prison cell. Radiant, Julia screamed, “Valentine. I can see. I can see.”
“Praise be to God!” Valentine exclaimed, and he knelt in prayer.
