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Hoosier United Methodist News Archives
| Hoosier United Methodist News |
February 2002 |
Mini Homily:
The day of the heart
By Lloyd D. Baugues
According to legend, the valentine takes its name from a young Christian who once lived in ancient Rome. Like so many of the early Christians, Valentine had been imprisoned because of his faith. Often and longingly he thought of his loved ones, and wanted to assure them of his well being and his love.
Beyond his cell window grew a cluster of violets. He picked some heart-shaped leaves and pierced them to spell the words, "Remember your Valentine," then sent them off by a friendly dove. On the next day and the next, he sent more messages that simply said, "I love you." Thus did the valentine have its beginning.
Valentine's Day has become known as "the day of the heart." Whatever connotation the day may have, the symbol of the heart is something about which the Bible has much to say. It associates the heart with the seat of the human spirit, intellect, will and emotions. Paul says one must believe with the heart to be saved. The heart is depicted as a wicked, deceitful thing in Jeremiah 17:9. On the other hand, Psalm 73:13 tells us the heart can be cleansed.
The heart, in biblical symbolism, is the spiritual part of man that makes him God-conscious, clearly separating him from the lower animals. In other words, there is a part of man indiscernible to the human eye, through which either God or Satan can operate. Which one of the two will be this "operator of the heart" is determined by the individual. If one chooses to pray, as David did in Psalm 5 1:10, "Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me," he can experience the miracles of forgiveness, cleansing and regeneration. He can, in a sense, undergo a spiritual heart transplant!
The Rev. Lloyd D. Baugues is pastor of Indianapolis' Union Chapel UMC.
Last updated on 01/14/2004