Readings:
Jeremiah 17:5-10;
Psalm 1;
1 Corinthians 15:12-20;
Luke 6:17-26

Collect:
Eternal God
whose Son went among the crowds
and brought healing with his touch
help us to show his love,
in your Church as we gather together,
and by our lives as they are transformed
into the image of Christ our Lord. Amen

Reflection:
Tomorrow marks the feast of St Valentine, or as it is more widely known, Valentine’s Day, where shops are filled with cards, roses, chocolates and a myriad of other gifts to give to that special someone so show them just how much you love them. 

There is a major assumption that to be in a relationship, especially marriage, is an ideal state and that only in a relationship can you ever truly be happy. And although that is patently untrue, as there are many people who are single and are content and happy in their lives, it is an image that is often exemplified as true happiness, often in advertising.

There are many things that are advertised that if you only have this or that you will be happy, that possession of stuff will make you happy, or will make you attractive, which will lead to that elusive perfect relationship, which again will make you happy. We are simply bombarded with the idea that money, possession and a very idealised image of the perfect relationship are what is required for a happy life. However, in our present time, people are starting to realise that possession is not the root to a true happy state. Some seek happiness though diet and exercise regimes, running and Yoga, eating a healthier diet and cutting back on ultra processed foods. Some have decided to step back from the ‘rat race’ and moved to remote places to live a simpler life. This too is being reflected in consumer habits and products, such as magazines such as The Simple Things. Of course, this desire to live better is a no bad thing, but it is not at the root if real happiness, and today’s Psalm is pointing us towards where the heart of happiness lies.

The Psalm speaks of true happiness being found in meditating on the Law of the Lord, day and night. At the time that the psalm was written was, as it was for most ancient peoples, a daily struggle to survive. Spare time was scarce, to be able to give time to meditate on the Law of God was a rare luxury, and so to those first readers of the Psalm, they would understand that deep joy of having even just a few moments to read the word of God and to apply it. 

But at the very heart of happiness is to spend time with God and to be in his presence. The desire in the presence of God is at the very centre of our being, it is the very essence of who we are, and it is God’s deepest desire for us, to spend time with him and draw close to him. It is the very foundation of who we are, and all other things are at best second, and cannot be relied on to find that depth and stability of happiness that a relationship with God, which is centred by spending time in prayer gives you.

I hope that Valentine’s Day, whether with someone or doing something special alone, is a good day that brings you joy. But always remember, especially to those who find Valentine’s painful, that it is in a deep relationship with God, found in spending time with him (however that works for you), and that relationship, that coming close to God, is where you find a joy that is life giving, soul sustaining, and it is the foundation stone, it is the true heart of contentment and happiness.  

Revd Kath Long