My Jesus, my Valentine

Dear Jesus, my friend, my Valentine

Receive warm and tender greetings from your Valentine! Having seriously encountered your true love, fully convinced of many sacrifices for me, I decide to lay a pen on this paper.  Without any regret, I write this letter to you on this day— February 14 2015— popularly known as Valentine’s Day. I write this letter on this day of friendship and a day dedicated to lovers.

I have been well informed that this day of romance is named after a Christian martyr and dates back to the 3rd Century, but has origins in the Roman holiday Lupercalia.  I have also been reliably informed that this day was originally a festival for shepherds aimed primarily to secure fertility of fields, the flocks and shepherds themselves. Further information states that the festival gradually became associated with the feast day (February 14) of two Roman Martyrs, both named St. Valentine who lived in the 3rd Century, but about whom nothing specific is known. My friend Jesus, almost everyone knows that St. Valentine has traditionally been regarded as patron saint for lovers.

It is interesting to note how the colour red has taken a lead on this day. Indeed, many people seem to have succumbed to that and consciously honour the day by dressing in red. Right now, many people are exchanging cards, candy, gifts or flowers with their special ‘Valentine’, primarily to express affection.

Apart from red flowers engulfing the cards, a big red heart also takes centre stage, symbolising love and deep affection. Seeing what is happening, once again, I am deeply orchestrated to communicate with you through this letter.

I remember your love unending and unconditional to the extent of losing your life. You are one in a million. Help me understand your word and actions that I may become more intimate as we celebrate this wonderful day. It is only by understanding you and having insight that I can know thee more clearly, love thee more dearly and follow thee more nearly.

Right now, I am reading a passage from Luke 10:1-9. I think this is the best passage to reflect upon as I think of you my Valentine. You have appointed 72 others and sent them out ahead of you, in pairs, to all towns and places you are to visit. As a matter of fact, you send them out on a mission that they might prepare the way for you. You send them out two by two to bear witness to the truth of each other’s testimony and that they might be a living embodiment of the gospel of peace.

You are so emphatic when you say, the harvest is rich, but the labourers are few. So, ask the Lord of the harvest to send labourers to his harvest.

I am amazed when I consider the variety of different instructions and warnings you give as you send off your disciples. Immediately, I recall the following instructions and warnings: “Start off now, but remember, I am sending you out like lambs among wolves. Carry no purse, no haversack and no sandals. Salute no one on the road. Whatever house you go into, let your first words be, ‘peace to this house!’ And if a man of peace lives there, your peace will go and rest on him; if not, it will come back to you.”

This passage has touched my heart greatly and presents to me a number of lessons. Consider the following lessons as I think of you on this day of affection. Firstly, when you say “start off now”, you want to remind me that in everything there is a crucial moment and if that moment is missed, the thing most likely will never be done at all. That’s why we have sayings like ‘strike when it is hot’, ‘make hay while the sun is shining’,

By this instruction, you want me to respond rapidly to your mission that is very urgent.

The second instruction, “carry no purse, no haversack and no sandals” is a great warning to me that as I follow your lovely steps. I must not be cluttered up with material things. It is a reminder to travel light for it is easy to get entangled in the things of this life.

The third instruction “salute no one on the road”, seriously baffles me. I very well know the need to concentrate on my task. However, to be honest with you, in my culture, this sounds odd. You are already aware that for a Malawian, this sounds strange since I attach importance to a greeting. In my culture, greetings are important for establishing relationships and mutual trust. Neglecting a greeting invites rejection. All the same, you want me to understand that because of the urgency of the mission, even elaborate greetings should not distract me from the fulfilment of the mandate and duty. As your Valentine, I must not turn aside or linger on the lesser things while great things call me.

My Valentine, the last instruction “Stay in the same house, taking what food and drink they have to offer, for the labourer deserves his wages; do not move from house to house”, reminds me that I must not work for the simply for what it has to offer. You want me to eat what is available and must not move from house to house seeking better and more comfortable quarters.

I recall you being born in poor state, in the manger and that often, you did not have a place to lay down your head.

To all of you, who admire my walking side by side with my Jesus, remember that you have also received a commission from the Lord to preach the gospel and win others for him. The desire to tell others about Jesus and the good news ought to seriously grow within you.

You must become more and more convinced of the power and joy of knowing Him as your Lord and Saviour. Its only when we grow in understanding that the Gospel brings meaning, light and life to propel in us more confidence as we share our faith.

I wish you to close this letter with best wishes on this wonderful day. Once again, thank you very much for the unconditional love.

I truly remain your Valentine

Father Daniel Kamanga

(The author is Rector – St. Patrick’s Minor Seminary, Rumphi)