To all those who have loved, are in love, or looking for love, Happy Valentine’s Day!
It’s that time again when lovers remind each other how special they are in each other’s lives.
Aww! So sweet!
Hmm… I wonder if Rico’s getting me flowers… He actually did just today, one day in advance to ensure it doesn’t get lost in the delivery tomorrow!!
Well, judging from my reaction and those of countless other individuals (I would assume!) with a “special someone,” it doesn’t come as a surprise why Valentine’s has grown into a multi-billion dollar industry!
Yup, it’s grown that big because of all the commercial activities surrounding the special occasion, the feast of love and hearts.
There’s a ton of gift-buying and giving–flowers, chocolates, and jewelry!
A lot of dining out. Dinner by candlelight, anyone?
While many likewise opt to go on a vacation trip or staycation with their loved ones.
Now, for the sake of argument, what’s with giving and all these presents?
Flowers will wilt, chocolates consumed and presents forgotten or replaced.
Then, the memory of eating out and going on trips will fade and reside in our file drives.
Through my experience of several Valentine’s Days, I see two angles.
One is proving to your special loved one that you’re willing to set aside time and exert effort to get them a present, an expression of your undying love and devotion.
The second is a celebration of love because whatever the season you are in, you are there for one another and are thankful for their role in your life.
Then, with these two angles in manifesting love, the “lover” always holds on to the hope that their beloved will respond with an assurance of love.
For me, it's what makes love worth fighting and working for. It’s the hope that your loved one will also tell you they love you because their love "makes the world go round" and gives you purpose in life.
It's an exciting and heart-warming conversation between the "lover" and "beloved." It’s how one loves the other and how the other responds by reciprocating the love given.
Of course, it doesn’t matter what kind of love it is. It can be romantic, between family members, or between friends.
I believe it’s how we were built. We were made to find purpose through expressing and experiencing love.
Without love, you wouldn't know who or what you're living for. You lose a sense of purpose and a sense of completeness.
Then as I reflect on love, I also couldn't help but think about prayer, the rosary, in particular.
I’ve heard and also thought some times before: just like how flowers, chocolates, and presents eventually deplete and fade, so do prayers (at least for the words we utter).
Then, if we think about it, God and Mother Mary do not need our prayers or rosary devotion.
Nevertheless, I realize that every Our Father and Hail Mary expresses our love and devotion to God and Mother Mary.
They may seem like insignificant expressions compared to the greatness and generosity of God. But prayers offered, like the rosary, signifies how we are willing to sacrifice to show God and Mother Mary how we love and adore them.
Prayers, too, are a way to celebrate life and all the blessings we've received, no matter if we're in the "up" of our lives or a rough patch. We put our faith in God, who is there for us no matter what. He loves us, whoever we’ve become and whatever we’ve done.
So, in our nature of being weak and incomplete, we find meaning and purpose in the hope that God will respond by showering us with His graces, blessings, and sustenance and ultimately receiving us back in Heaven to reunite with Him.
So, you may ask, like how I sometimes ask, "What's love got to do with praying and the rosary?"
I'd say, "Everything."