Old Bishop Valentine didn't intend February 14th to be the celebration of love in his name. He was executed on Feb. 14th because he secretly married Claudius' soldiers against the Emperor's wishes. To read the contradictory history of Valentines Day, with the Pagans beating young women to insure their fertility for the year; Shakespeare alluding to mating birds...cupids running amok...and St. Valentine? None of it makes any sense. So, who said love was sensible? To the contrary, wise sages over the years have difficulty defining love. Love is blind...As love increases, prudence diminishes...Love never reasons...A miser in wealth but generous in love...No cord nor cable can draw so forcibly or bind so fast, as love can do with a single thread...It is a beautiful necessity of our nature to love...but, absence in love is like water upon fire; a little quickens, but much extinguishes it...Ah, the contradictions of the intoxication called love. Maybe, its best to forget the origins and definitions and just be happy that one day of the year is devoted to lovers. For sure...take away love and the world would be palsied. Aren't we fortunate? Happy Valentines Day from Mary and Jim.
Saturday, February 14, 2009
OLD BISHOP VALENTINE AND THE CELEBRATION OF LOVE
Old Bishop Valentine didn't intend February 14th to be the celebration of love in his name. He was executed on Feb. 14th because he secretly married Claudius' soldiers against the Emperor's wishes. To read the contradictory history of Valentines Day, with the Pagans beating young women to insure their fertility for the year; Shakespeare alluding to mating birds...cupids running amok...and St. Valentine? None of it makes any sense. So, who said love was sensible? To the contrary, wise sages over the years have difficulty defining love. Love is blind...As love increases, prudence diminishes...Love never reasons...A miser in wealth but generous in love...No cord nor cable can draw so forcibly or bind so fast, as love can do with a single thread...It is a beautiful necessity of our nature to love...but, absence in love is like water upon fire; a little quickens, but much extinguishes it...Ah, the contradictions of the intoxication called love. Maybe, its best to forget the origins and definitions and just be happy that one day of the year is devoted to lovers. For sure...take away love and the world would be palsied. Aren't we fortunate? Happy Valentines Day from Mary and Jim.
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