Valentine’s Day was a week and a half ago (as I write this). As a current American holiday, it is only remotely related to the life of St. Valentine (actually, at least two St. Valentines were decapitated by the Roman emperor in the third century on February 14, and thankfully beheadings are not part of our contemporary celebration). What it is about now is showing someone you love them. Hallmark can provide a card (and others can provide an online “card”); any number of companies can provide candy; other companies can provide jewelry, and florists can provide flowers—doesn’t have to be roses, but roses are certainly a default setting. Not all of these things are required. Actually, none of them are required, and Hallmark has been accused—playfully, of course—of manufacturing this holiday to boost their card sales. But with the expectations set up, for whatever reason, it is a good practice to do one or more of these things to express your love for someone on Valentine’s Day (as well as other times, of course).
These “practices” demonstrate love; and doing these things helps with staying in love. Thinking about how you’re going to show your love, taking the time to make the arrangements to get the things or set up the dinner or pick up the flowers is time involved with thinking about the one you love, and knowing what that person would really very much appreciate. And that is a big piece of staying in love—the time invested in the other person, in whatever ways.
Many of us may have found ourselves drifting away from someone, possibly even someone we had loved very much. The less time spent with the person, the less effort made to nurture the relationship, the less likely the love will continue. I have talked with those whose deep, intense relationships ended, and often the explanation is “we just drifted away from each other”. The more you prioritize holding onto each other, the less chance of drifting away from each other. This seems pretty obvious.
So it is with staying in love with God, as Bishop Ruben Job’s more modern translation puts this third Simple Rule. John Wesley’s wording was actually “attend upon all the ordinances of God”. By ordinances Wesley was referring to the practices that nurture our relationship with God, those things we do that continue to connect us with God and God’s love. In particular he listed six: public worship of God, the Lord’s Supper, private and family prayer, searching the Scriptures, Bible Study, and fasting. These all take time; they all take being intentional. But as with any relationship, so with our relationship with God—we do the things that nurture the relationship, so that we don’t “drift away” from lack of attention and connection and engagement.
Psalm 104:3-4 reminds us of the time commitment, and also implies the benefits to us of staying in love with God: “Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice. Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually.” Rejoicing and receiving God’s strength both are a part of seeking God’s presence—of doing those things that keep us in love with God.
GOSPEL Luke 9:28-36
28 Now about eight days after these sayings Jesus took with him Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray. 29 And while he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became dazzling white. 30 Suddenly they saw two men, Moses and Elijah, talking to him. 31 They appeared in glory and were speaking of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. 32 Now Peter and his companions were weighed down with sleep; but since they had stayed awake, they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. 33 Just as they were leaving him, Peter said to Jesus, ‘Master, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah’—not knowing what he said. 34 While he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were terrified as they entered the cloud. 35 Then from the cloud came a voice that said, ‘This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!’ 36 When the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent and in those days told no one any of the things they had seen.
PSALTER Psalm 105:1-4
1 O give thanks to the Lord, call on his name,
make known his deeds among the peoples.
2 Sing to him, sing praises to him;
tell of all his wonderful works.
3 Glory in his holy name;
let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice.
4 Seek the Lord and his strength;
seek his presence continually.
NEW TESTAMENT Colossians 2:6-7
6 As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, continue to live your lives in him, 7 rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.
GOSPEL John 21:15-17, 19b
15 When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?’ He said to him, ‘Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Feed my lambs.’ 16 A second time he said to him, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’ He said to him, ‘Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Tend my sheep.’ 17 He said to him the third time, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’ Peter felt hurt because he said to him the third time, ‘Do you love me?’ And he said to him, ‘Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Feed my sheep.’ 19b After this he said to him, ‘Follow me.’