Happy Valentine’s Day

Of course, as with any day in history, so many things crowd up together. On this day in 1556 Thomas Cranmer is declared a heretic, on this day in 1779 James Cook is killed in Hawaii (by people who had a good idea of why it isn’t a good idea to encourage European visitors), on this day in 1835 the Mormons form their first Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, on this day in 1912 Arizona is admitted into the Union (which some to this day consider a mistake), on this day in 1918 the recently formed Soviet Union adopts the Gregorian calendar, etc. etc.

Babur, Moghul emperor of India, Frederick Douglass, the amazing, Jack Benny frequent night visitor to my childhood home, Jimmy Hoffa of whom the less said the better, James Pike, notorious and therefore interesting Episcopal bishop, Carl Bernsein who helped a president bring down his presidency, and Jenn Nardone, our congregation’s membership coordinator, all share this day as their birthday.

This holiday is a weird one, almost as much a creation of the greeting card cartel as anything else, but still offering a moment to recall love.

Love that strange god. Love silly, foolish, insane, lovely, delightful, the bane of our lives, the purpose of our lives.

Not a bad thing to pause and notice.

Love.

Actually, a good thing.

I think.

I feel.

Love.

A very good thing.

The most dangerous thing in the world.

Love.

What makes it all worth while…