I have been preparing for the build-up to Easter whilst writing this article. I was surprised to find Ash Wednesday and Valentine’s Day are the same day. The date of Easter is set by the Moon cycle, and in the Christian Calendar, the build-up to Easter is the period of Lent, which begins with Ash Wednesday, 46 days before Easter Sunday.
Ash Wednesday and Lent are typically associated with times of self-denial and repentance. This picture of “hair shirt,” isolation, self-denial and discipline seem very much at odds, in most people’s minds, with the jollity and amorousness of Valentine’s Day! An unfortunate juxtaposition? Yes… and maybe no. Perhaps the two events are not quite so far apart as we might imagine.
Let’s think about these two Christian Festivals.
Ash Wednesday
Two Bible passages in particular pick up the theme of repentance and ashes: “Remember you are dust, and to dust you will return.” (Genesis 3:19). Elsewhere, the prophet Jonah repented in sackcloth and ashes. It was an outward sign of humiliation and repentance, which was reflected in a heart turned back to God. God responds to the penitent and restores joy – the pattern from penitence to joy is often mentioned in the Bible: “You removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy” (Psalm 30:11). The message of the Kingdom is “Repent and Believe.” Both are needed.
This is how the Collect for Ash Wednesday articulates it:
Almighty and everlasting God, you hate nothing you have made and forgive the sins of all who are penitent: Create and make in us new and contrite hearts, that we, worthily lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wretchedness, may obtain of you, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Valentine’s day
Saint Valentine was a 3rd century catholic Bishop who lived during the persecution of Christians in Rome. He was particularly hated because he spoke boldly about the love of God (the irony!) from passages such as 1 John 3:
“This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters… Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.” (v16, v19).
Saint Valentine was martyred on February 14th in AD 260. There are a few legends which reveal why he has come to be known as the Patron Saint of Romantic love.
As a bishop, Saint Valentine secretly performed Christian weddings against the order of the pagan Roman emperor. He was sentenced to death. Whilst in prison, he evangelized the jailer, and healed the jailer’s blind daughter. On his execution day, he wrote the girl a note signing it, “Your Valentine.”
“greater love has no man that he lays down his life for his friends.”
The juxtaposition of these two days teaches us things which belong together, in life, and in worship: love, sacrifice, self-discipline, and suffering belong together. The well-known passage on the fruit of the Spirit states this: “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control…” (Galatians 5:22-23).
Did you notice that “love” – the supreme act of self-giving for another (first on the list) requires “self-control” (last on the list). It is not until our self has been mastered by God, that we are able fully to give of ourselves to God and to others.
Oh, just to be clear – we’d love you to join us for our Ash Wednesday service, 11.00, 14th February – and of course, enjoy a meal with your loved one in the evening!
Yours in the love of Christ,
Simon Vibert
Metamorphe's Weblog 