Will you be mine? xoxo, Jesus

Calling all hopeless romantics! Your favorite day of the year is fast approaching, but this time it coincides with another special day: Ash Wednesday, which means if you’re wondering what to do with that box of chocolates you’re about to give up for Lent, you might want to finish it quickly, as our Lord is beckoning us to return to him with our whole heart.

What a happy coincidence that Lent begins on Valentine’s Day. It’s as if Jesus is sending each of us a handwritten love letter:

“My precious child, my dear one, I love you SO much. My heart burns with tender love for you! Return to me this Lent and let’s share some quiet moments together. Sit with me and let me gaze upon you with eyes of love and mercy. Bring me your tired, troubled heart and I will give you a new one filled with joy and peace. Walk with me each day - your hand in mine, my heart in yours. Let’s journey together these next 40 days, as I reveal my deep and abiding love for you. Hand me your burdens, lean on my grace and trust that together we can handle anything. I long for us to be close - may nothing ever come between us. Please be mine this Valentine’s Day.” xoxo Jesus

Friends, we serve a God who is “pazzo d’amore” - crazy in love with us (as St. Catherine of Siena said). And he has proven that love by sending his Son into this world and allowing him to go all the way to the cross for our salvation. Christ suffered and died a humiliating, tortuous death so that we could spend eternity in blissful union with him. It’s a love story like no other, but it comes with an invitation. Jesus is offering us his whole heart this Valentine’s Day/Ash Wednesday, and he wants nothing less from us in return.