Suddenly when they looked around, they saw no one with them any more, but only Jesus.” vs. 8
Mark 9:7-9
Most people have a variety of spiritual and religious experiences as they search for a unitary expression of faith, one that will stand the test of time and withstand the doubts that stalk them. There are days that our faith is strong, buttressed by internal certainties rising from what we perceive to be divine encounters. On those days there’s a bounce to our step and we feel confident that God is real and readily accessible. There is within us an overwhelming sense of awe–it’s wonderful to feel so close to the Lord. But then time passes. The cloud of God’s awesome presence dissipates and we’re left on our own and doubts gain the upper hand. We start wondering about our experiences and begin to think they might just have been wishful thinking. It may seem that there is nothing left–but then, as we look around we realize that not all has gone away. Jesus remains! And he is enough! He’s real and not a product of our imagination, and he beckons us to come follow him on the path of love. And so, along with millions of others, including the patron saint of this day, St. Valentine, a third century martyred Roman priest, we keep our focus on Jesus and spend our lives loving others. And it’s not just a Hallmark love either. The love Jesus inspires extends even to our enemies and it’s been enough to change the world.
Thought for the Day: Why is Valentine’s Day so popular?
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