By Jean Welch Hill–
I have always hated Valentine’s Day. For me, it seems to be the most commercial of all holidays designed to do little more than guilt people into buying a bunch of overpriced items to prove their love. But this year may be the best Valentine’s ever. Thanks to a joyful intersection between the Liturgical calendar and the Gregorian, we will celebrate this Valentine’s by starting the holiest of holy seasons in our Church—and the season that reminds us what true love looks like.
Nothing could be more fitting than to receive the ashes on a day devoted to reminders of love. Far better than receiving what will soon be dead flowers and regret over excessive chocolate consumption, we will receive a visible reminder of our frailty, and the start of 40 (okay, 46) days of penance for the sins that Jesus will wipe away with his death and resurrection. That Valentine’s and Ash Wednesday fall together could not be more fitting, and should relieve the pressure some men and women feel to prove their love through expensive or excessive gifts. The ultimate gift, to die for us so that we might live, has already been given. This Valentine’s we will need no other gift than the reminder of what is to come that we receive with our ashes.
