A Compassionate Heart

If you haven’t noticed the increased frequency of jewelry ads on the television, perhaps you have observed the growing prevalence of pink and red everywhere you go. Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, and there are lots of people who are trying to suggest ways you might touch the heart of someone special to you. If it’s not a new necklace, perhaps it’s a bouquet of flowers. If it’s not a box of chocolates, maybe it’s a new pair of pajamas. Then again, it could be a stuffed animal or a romantic, candlelit dinner.

Lots of people have been—and will be—searching for just the right gesture to show someone else that they care about them. In some ways it is a commendable endeavor. It is good to let others know you care for them. It is good to express your hope that they know how much they mean to you. It is right to profess your undying love and earnest devotion—to give them your heart.

It is also worth remembering that the person for whom this holiday is named did not only want his “sweetheart” to know about his love. While the practice of Christianity was illegal during the Roman Empire, Valentine persisted in performing Christian marriages for couples who came to him. After he was arrested, he sent notes from prison to the Emperor Claudius II telling him about God’s great love that had been shown to us through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. Even after beatings and other abuses, Valentine persisted in showing the love of Christ to his jailers and the officials who ordered his torture. Tradition holds that the Emperor ordered his execution on February 14.

It is good to remember that Jesus called his followers to a different kind of love than they expected:

“If you love only those who love you, why should you get credit for that? Even sinners love those who love them! And if you do good only to those who do good to you, why should you get credit? Even sinners do that much! And if you lend money only to those who can repay you, why should you get credit? Even sinners will lend to other sinners for a full return.

“Love your enemies! Do good to them. Lend to them without expecting to be repaid. Then your reward from heaven will be very great, and you will truly be acting as children of the Most High, for he is kind to those who are unthankful and wicked. You must be compassionate, just as your Father is compassionate”
(Luke 6:32-36).

Let me encourage you to let at least one of your “enemies” know how much you love them—because you know the love of God. Find a way to touch their heart.