It’s that time of the year again when commercial companies make loads of money from flowers and heart-shaped chocolates.

But what is at the core of this special day in February? Love.

Valentine’s Day is a great time to focus on the human heart and can challenge us to take love more seriously.

In his famous letter to the Corinthians which we hear so frequently read out at weddings these days, St Paul describes comprehensively what love is all about.

““Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice in wrongdoing but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends.” ”

— (1 Corinthians 13:4-7)

When we talk about love though, as Catholics, we are challenged to consider Christ’s love and also to love others as we love ourselves.

That sort of love isn’t easy and doesn’t always fit on a valentine’s card.

But it’s that sort of love that should be at the centre of our hearts and minds, especially during the challenging times the world is currently experiencing.

Loving others doesn’t have to be a grand gesture – it could be helping someone who is going through challenges, paying someone a compliment, being patient even when someone isn’t patient with you. It could be touching base with a friend who may be a bit quiet or something as simple as letting your siblings have the last slice of cake you’re so desperately craving.

So as we look at Valentine’s Day and reflect on what love is about, let’s also allow ourselves to be open to the love God offers to us in a thousand personal valentines He sends to each of us every single day and emulate that love as best we can in whatever situation we may find ourselves.

Find ways to ‘love your neighbour’ through support, assurance and kindness AND if that means buying into the commercialism of a valentines card, flowers and heart-shaped chocolates to brighten someone’s day – we’re not judging.