Seeker

What has St Valentine's Day got to do with Ash Wednesday? Nothing at all, except that this year the day to celebrate romantic love with cards, flowers and chocolates coincides with Ash Wednesday the beginning of Lent in the Christian calendar.  The last time that Ash Wednesday fell on 14 February (St Valentine's Day) was in 1945 and before that in 1934, 1923 and 1877. We won't have to wait long for the next time St Valentine's Day and Ash Wednesday converge. It will be 2029. I suppose the main connection is that both feasts are about love, the frailty and fickleness of human love and the strength and faithfulness of divine love. Some of you might be marked with ash today to remind you of your mortality and to encourage you to turn again to Christ. Some of you may be enjoying chocolate, red roses, sentimental cards or special meals. Some of you may be doing this with a cross of ash still on your foreheads. Some of you may be feeling lonely and unloved today, or...

Last year in 'Ban Valentine's Day?' I suggested that 14th February is a day that provides an opportunity for: making money wasting money sex romance appreciation love Today is 14th February, St Valentine's Day, so choose from any or all of the above. If you'd also like to smile at some of the absurdities of Valentine's Day, I recommend taking 2 minutes to enjoy this subversive short story by Ted and Co. Ted Swartz is a Christian who produces biblical comedy sketches. He calls it 'theater' but then he's American. I call it 'theatre' because I'm British. However you spell it, smile and enjoy. Happy Valentine's Day from Ted & Company on Vimeo . Happy Valentine's Day from Ted & Company on Vimeo .