by Rev. Crystal Muldrow
As we live in a world that seems to be preoccupied with the satisfaction of self, more than ever, we need to remember these words of H. Emily Cady, “Pure love always asks, “What can I give?” never “What shall I receive?” February and March, are wonderful reminders that love, ultimately, is about service to others.
February is the month of love as we celebrate St. Valentine’s Day on the 14th. The life story of St. Valentine is murky; mythology and legend often supersede fact. The commonly accepted story of a priest named Valentinus starts with Emperor Claudius, who was committed to rebuilding the once great Roman army. Claudius believed it was important for men to volunteer for armed services, rather than draft men into service against their will. However, given the choice, most young men in the Roman empire refused to serve. They wanted to stay at home with their wives and children.
Claudius came to believe that only single men would volunteer for service, so he issued a royal edict that banned further marriages. He actually outlawed weddings in the Roman Empire.
One of Valentine’s favorite duties as a priest was to marry people. Valentine secretly continued performing marriage ceremonies. He would whisper the words of the ceremony, while listening for soldiers on the steps outside. Eventually he was caught and died at the hands of the Roman army for his acts of love.
Lent starts in February and comes to its conclusion with Holy Week and Easter Sunday at the end of March. Jesus’ life and giving of that life for humanity is one of the greatest acts of love. Myrtle Fillmore stated it well when she wrote, “The master said that he came into the world not to be ministered unto, but to minister. He did not seek to be loved by others, merely to satisfy the human desire for affection; His great purpose was to love. He radiated love like the sun radiates light.”
“Easter is the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus.
Its inner meaning and spiritual significance is the awakening
and raising to spiritual consciousness of the I AM in man…”
-Charles Fillmore
The metaphysical meaning of the resurrection is that we all have eternal life. From the depths and death of darkness, we all have the opportunity to raise our consciousness to a higher vibration. We can only do that if we love one another, everything on the earth and earth itself.
When Jesus was asked, “What are the most important commandments, he replied: Love the Lord your God with all of your heart, and with all our soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself…” (Matt.22:37-39) Can you imagine if everyone in the world made it their life purpose to follow the commandments, what kind of beautiful world it would be? Fear, suffering, hatred and darkness would be eliminated if we allowed ourselves to evolve to a higher spiritual consciousness. There would be no lack. We would all make sure that everyone’s needs would be met. We would live in the knowing that there is more than enough for everyone, for there is no lack in God. Charles Fillmore wrote, “Love, in Divine Mind, is the idea of universal unity. In expression, love is the power that joins and binds in divine harmony the universe and everything in it.”
“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that.
Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”
-Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
I’ve quoted some wonderful people whose lives were taken for their acts of love. I’m not suggesting that you place your life in any danger. I am suggesting that you.. we all give our lives over to being love and light in the world.
The talks in February are based off a book called, Tiny Buddha’s 365 Tiny Love Challenges. I invite you to take the daily challenge with me. Each day supplies a small way that we all can be the light and love. Let us evolve in to what all of our true natures are; the Christ.
Book recommendations for Lent, Holy Week and Easter are:
Keep a True Lent, by Charles Fillmore
and The Week That Changed The World, by Ernest C. Wilson
“Love recognizes no barriers. It jumps hurdle, leaps fences,
penetrates walls to arrive at it’s destination full of hope.”
– Maya Angelou