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Two Kinds of Love to Celebrate on St Valentine’s Day
ADW.org ^
| 14 Feb 2021
| Msgr Pope
Posted on 02/16/2021 8:50:34 PM PST by Cronos
Two Kinds of Love to Celebrate on St Valentine’s Day
St. Valentine’s Day is a day that celebrates romantic love. This sort of love, to be sure, is noble and to be encouraged. The Church has sometimes been accused of being suspicious of romantic love. It is true that certain heretical groups such as the Cathari and the Jansenist’s have frowned on sexual love in marriage. But they were considered heretics for their views. A true Catholic view celebrates romantic love (eros in Greek). As a Catholic Pastor I like others want to encourage romantic love and ultimately marriage. And within marriage to encourage on-going romantic love. I tell my younger parishioners, get married (first!) have lots of babies and raise them Catholic! You may recall the old Rhyme: “First comes love, then comes marriage, then comes baby in the baby carriage.”
A Great Love – Romantic love is good and it brings blessings! But romantic love (eros) has a place a purpose and in God’s plan. Fundamentally eros is meant to draw a man and a woman to each other and ultimately to marriage. And within marriage their romantic love is to be fruitful and multiplying. Yet too many today just play around with and dabble in eros. They vent its power through premarital sex and do not follow it’s intended course which is to draw to people together in deep desire and love. Eros is about drawing and man and woman into deep interpersonal union it is not merely about bringing two bodies together. Too many rush to eros’ physical urge and disclose the deepest mysteries about themselves inappropriately. The great dance of courtship and marriage is thus short-circuited and eros looses both it’s dignity and its goal. Marriage rates have plummeted and so have birthrates.
Pope Benedict had this to say on eros:
That love between man and woman which is neither planned nor willed, but somehow imposes itself upon human beings, was called “eros” by the ancient Greeks….The Greeks—not unlike other cultures—considered eros principally as a kind of intoxication, the overpowering of reason by a “divine madness” which tears man away from his finite existence and enables him, in the very process of being overwhelmed by divine power, to experience supreme happiness…..Christianity of the past is often criticized as having been opposed to the body; and it is quite true that tendencies of this sort have always existed. Yet [in] the contemporary [scene] eros, is reduced to pure “sex”….Here we are actually dealing with a debasement of the human body: … no longer is it a vital expression of our whole being, but it is more or less relegated to the purely biological sphere. [But] true, eros tends to rise “in ecstasy” towards the Divine, to lead us beyond ourselves….Two aspects of this are important. First, eros is somehow rooted in man’s very nature; Adam is a seeker, who “abandons his mother and father” in order to find woman; only together do the two represent complete humanity and become “one flesh”. The second aspect is equally important….eros directs man towards marriage, to a bond which is unique and definitive; thus, and only thus, does it fulfil its deepest purpose….[And in Scripture Marriage] becomes the icon of the relationship between God and his people and vice versa. (Deus Caritas est 3-11 selected)
So romantic love (eros) has a dignity but it also has a purpose. It’s purpose is to draw man and woman toward marriage, family and ultimately toward God. The deep desire that man and woman have for each other is a sign of the ultimate desire of the human heart for deep union with God.
An even greater love – But there is a second love to be celebrated on St. Valentines Day and that is Agape love. Agape love is the love whereby we love God above ourselves, above all things and above all people. There is perhaps no greater example of this sort of love than that of the martyrs. They were willing to forsake everything for Christ. They excepted the supreme price of this love, the gift of their very own life. Every martyr can truly say, “Lord, I love you more than my self, my life, my things and more than any other person in my life. The world hates me for this and will kill me for it, but I willing pay the price that this love demands.”
St. Valentine was a martyr. Christian tradition recognizes two saints from the early Church as “Valentine.” The first is the Roman priest Valentine. He was decapitated in 268 AD for the crime of trying to convert a member of Emperor Claudius the Goth’s household. He also a renowned healer. The second Valentine is Bishop Valentine who was also a renowned healer and was also turned it for converting people to Christianity. He was imprisoned and the attempt was made to force him to sacrifice to pagan gods. When he refused an attempt was made to club him to death. When that failed he was beheaded in 273 AD.
The red of St. Valentine’s Day signals not only the warm blood of romance, but also the red hot blood of martyrs. Eros is surely noble and necessary. It is rightly celebrated. But no great love (agape) exists than to lay down one’s life for one’s friend. Thus today the red blood of martyrs too is celebrated and proclaimed.
A blessed St. Valentine’s Day to one and all.
TOPICS: Catholic; Ministry/Outreach; Orthodox Christian; Theology
KEYWORDS:
1
posted on
02/16/2021 8:50:34 PM PST
by
Cronos
To: Hambone 1934; Wpin; spirited irish; Wilhelm Tell; agere_contra; knarf; chajin; annalex; ...
Mgsr Charles Pope Ping Please FReepmail me to get on/off the Msgr Charles Pope Ping List.
2
posted on
02/16/2021 8:51:02 PM PST
by
Cronos
To: nickcarraway; NYer; ELS; Pyro7480; livius; ArrogantBustard; Catholicguy; RobbyS; marshmallow; ...
Wonderful news from Salvation
I am Doing better — doing some standing but not walking with a walker yet. On top of the knee surgery I had two broken legs == femur on the left, tibia which went down into my ankle and foot on the right.
Thanks for checking in with me.
Thanks for posting on prayer thread.
3
posted on
02/16/2021 8:52:08 PM PST
by
Cronos
To: Cronos
You are two days late.
I think you might be sleeping on the couch tonight...
4
posted on
02/16/2021 8:59:09 PM PST
by
Clint N. Suhks
(Not all democrats are socialists, but all socialists are democrats.)
To: Clint N. Suhks
You got that right bud :)
5
posted on
02/16/2021 9:00:32 PM PST
by
Cronos
To: Cronos
Prayers for continued healing and strength for our dear sister in Christ Salvation!
Through the intercessions of the holy unmercenary healers: The hieromartyr Valenine, Demetrios the myrrh-streaming, Nicholas of Myra, Cosmas and Damian, Luke the Evangelist, and the great cloud of witnesses to your Great Mercy, O Christ our God, may she find the fullness of restoration!
6
posted on
02/16/2021 9:03:58 PM PST
by
lightman
(I am a binary Trinitarian. Deal with it!)
To: Salvation; Cronos
This is great news.
Our prayers are for you.
Saint Stanislaus Kostka was born in Poland in 1550 to a noble Polish family. He was a devout child and at the age of 14, he was sent with his older brother, Paul, to study at the Jesuit College in Vienna.
Stanislaus was treated very badly by his jealous brother. He fell ill from a beating and bone breaking at the hands of Paul. The Lutheran family Stanislaus lived with in Vienna would not allow a priest to visit him. So he prayed to Saint Barbara, who appeared to him with two angels to administer Communion.
Stanislaus was then cured by the Blessed Mother who told him to become a Jesuit.
He was clothed in the Jesuit habit in 1567 against his family?s wishes. Stanislaus was a Jesuit for only 10 months, but by following his resolution to make each day perfect, he reached in that short time the heights of holiness.
He died in 1568 at the age of 18. Many illnesses were cured at his tomb, and his body was found incorrupt years after his death. He was canonized in 1726.
Saint Stanislaus Kostka is recognized today as the patron of those suffering from broken bones. His feast day is November 13th.
Saint Stanislaus Kostka, Pray for Salvation.
Saint Raphael the Archangel serves as the patron saint of healing. Unlike most saints, Raphael was never a human being who lived on Earth. Instead, he has always been a heavenly angel. He was declared a saint in honor of his work helping humanity.
As one of God’s leading archangels, Raphael serves people who need to heal in body, mind, and spirit. Raphael also helps people in health professions, such as doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and counselors. He is also a patron saint of young people, love, travelers, and people seeking protection from nightmares.
Healing People Physically
People often pray for Raphael’s help in healing their bodies from illnesses and injuries. Raphael clears away toxic spiritual energy that has harmed people’s physical health, promoting good health in every area of the body.
Stories of miracles resulting from Raphael’s intervention span the full range of physical healing. These include major improvements like better function for major organs (such as the heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, eyes, and ears) and recovered use of injured limbs. They also include everyday health improvements like relief from allergies, headaches, and stomachaches.
Raphael can heal people who are suffering from acute sicknesses (like an infection) or sudden injuries (like wounds from a car accident), as well as those who need healing for chronic conditions (such as diabetes, cancer, or paralysis) if God chooses to heal them.
Usually, God answers prayers for healing within the natural order of the world he has created, rather than supernaturally. God often assigns Raphael to answer people’s prayer requests for good health by blessing their medical care as they pursue natural means of attaining good health, such as taking medications, having surgery, doing physical therapy, eating nutritiously, drinking water, and getting enough sleep and exercise. Although Raphael may heal people instantly after prayer alone, that’s rarely how the healing process happens.
Healing People Mentally and Emotionally
Raphael also heals people’s minds and emotions by working with God’s Spirit to help change people’s thoughts and feelings. Believers often pray for help from Raphael to recover from mental and emotional suffering.
Thoughts lead to attitudes and actions which then lead people’s lives either closer to or farther away from God. Raphael directs people’s attention to their thoughts and urges them to evaluate how healthy those thoughts are, according to whether or not they reflect God’s perspective. People who are stuck in a rut of unhealthy thought patterns that are fueling an addiction (such as to pornography, alcohol, gambling, overworking, overeating, etc.) can call on Raphael to help them break free and overcome addiction. They seek to change the way they think, which will then help them replace the addictive behavior with healthier habits.
Raphael can help people change the way they think and feel about other persistent problems in their lives that they need to figure out how to navigate wisely, such as relationships with difficult people and challenging life circumstances that linger, like unemployment. Through Raphael’s help, people can get new ideas that can lead to healing breakthroughs in situations like these.
Many believers pray for Raphael’s help to heal from emotional pain in their lives. No matter how they have suffered the pain (such as in a traumatic event or betrayal in a relationship), Raphael can guide them through the process of healing from it. Sometimes Raphael sends people messages in their dreams to give them the healing breakthroughs they need.
Some of the emotionally painful issues that Raphael often helps people heal from are: dealing with anger (figuring out the root issue and expressing anger in constructive, not destructive ways), overcoming worry (understanding what anxiety is fueling the worry and learning how to trust God to handle concerns), recovering from the breakup of a romantic relationship (letting go and moving on with hope and confidence), recovering from fatigue (learning how to manage stress better and get more rest), and healing from grief (comforting people who have lost a loved one to death and helping them adjust).
Saint Raphael the Archangel, Pray for Salvation
7
posted on
02/16/2021 11:12:08 PM PST
by
ADSUM
( )
To: Salvation
Dear St. Stanislaus, angel of purity and seraph of charity, while you bore bravely the pain of illness and broken bones, you stood unwaveringly in your faith during your hours of distress. You were miraculously cured through the love and care of your patron, St. Barbara, and Mary, the Mother of Jesus.
You know the pains I am suffering because of my broken bones. Please ask our Lord to grant me peace and patience during my suffering. Agree with me in prayer before God for His prompt healing and relief that I so much desire. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
8
posted on
02/16/2021 11:17:50 PM PST
by
ADSUM
( )
To: Salvation
The Lamb of God
V. Lamb of God, who taketh away the sins of the world,
R. Spare us, O Lord!
V. Lamb of God, who taketh away the sins of the world,
R. Graciously hear us, O Lord!
V. Lamb of God, who take away the sins of the world,
R. Have mercy on us.
V. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
V. Let us pray. Grant, we beg you, O Lord God, that we your servants,
may enjoy lasting health of mind and body, and by the glorious intercession
of the Blessed Mary, ever Virgin, be delivered from present sorrow and enter
into the joy of eternal happiness. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
9
posted on
02/16/2021 11:24:42 PM PST
by
ADSUM
( )
To: Salvation
Dear Precious Lord,
you are awesome in all things. You are a mender of broken bones and bruised egos. You are alpha and omega, an everlasting help in times of trouble.
There is a lady that has broken bones. I’m asking and pleading that you mend those broken bones back to the way you formed them,
Lord, that you take the pain away or make it bearable while healing it. Lord, help her walk. Lord, I am praying and claiming that you can heal those broken bones in the twinkling of an eye, that you are the main supreme doctor.
You said in your word, Lord, that if we ask unwavering in our faith that you will answer our prayers. This is a wonderful woman, Lord, and she loves you. Heal her right now, Lord. Take away the pain. Make her whole again. In your name I pray, Jesus. Amen.
10
posted on
02/16/2021 11:33:39 PM PST
by
ADSUM
( )
To: Cronos
I’m relieved to hear Salvation is doing better.
11
posted on
02/16/2021 11:40:29 PM PST
by
dsc
(Evil doesn’t have a day job.)
To: Cronos; Salvation
Somehow missed learning about this incident.
Prayers, Salvation.
12
posted on
02/17/2021 1:56:06 AM PST
by
Gene Eric
(Don't be a statist!)
To: Cronos; Salvation
O, great. Thanks be to God.
13
posted on
02/17/2021 5:44:54 AM PST
by
annalex
(fear them not)
To: Cronos
Thanks be to the Lord!
Can I ask what happened or is there some link on what happened to Salvation that I can see?
14
posted on
02/17/2021 6:27:59 AM PST
by
frogjerk
(I will not do business with fascists)
To: frogjerk; Cronos
Salvation went for knee surgery, but I don’t know about the broken bones.
15
posted on
02/17/2021 8:28:35 AM PST
by
ADSUM
( )
To: Cronos; Salvation
Thank you so much for that update. Prayers up for complete recovery.
16
posted on
02/17/2021 8:49:22 AM PST
by
Bigg Red
(Trump will be sworn in under a shower of confetti made from the tattered remains of the Rat Party.)
To: Cronos; Salvation
Happy to hear you are beginning to feel better, Salvation. Hope you recover fully soon!
(Thank you, Cronos, for the update.)
To: ADSUM
Thanks for all the posts, Adsum.
18
posted on
07/30/2021 2:24:18 PM PDT
by
Salvation
("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
To: Salvation
Your welcome. It is good to hear from you. I hope all is well.
I just wish they would engage in a real discussion.
It is hard for them to defend false beliefs, so many do not truly engage.
I am concerned for the Catholics that leave the Church because of the sins of a few/ perhaps many clerics. What do they gain?
I also sense that Bishops are silent and going along and not being critical of sins and false beliefs of other Bishops. They seem to be ignoring the messages of our Blessed Mother from Fatima, Akita and Garbandal. “Few will see God” and “MANY CARDINALS, MANY BISHOPS, AND MANY PRIESTS ARE ON THE PATH OF PERDITION AND THEY TAKE MANY SOULS WITH THEM. TO THE EUCHARIST, THERE IS GIVEN LESS AND LESS IMPORTANCE.”
I am also concerned that some Bishops are silencing and removing from ministry priests that are speaking God’s Truth because they criticize the sins of bad leadership.
19
posted on
07/30/2021 2:52:51 PM PDT
by
ADSUM
( )
To: ADSUM
I agree with you on the thread discussions as well as the Bishops who do not follow Christ’s words.
20
posted on
07/30/2021 4:29:37 PM PDT
by
Salvation
("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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