James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes in the dispersion, greetings. Consider it all joy, my brothers and sisters, when you encounter various trials, for you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. (Jas 1:1-11)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/021422.cfm
Today we begin the very interesting Letter of James that invites us to be joyful in our trials. In the liturgical calendar the feast of Saints Cyril (826-869) and Methodius (815-885) outranks poor Saint Valentine (226-269), but popular devotion keeps Saint Valentine’s Day nevertheless.
These reflections are a result of more than 40 years of ministry as a Roman Catholic priest. Most of these years I spent in the Diocese of Charlotte which covers Western North Carolina. Now I am retired, and live in Medellín, Colombia where I continue to serve as a priest in the Archdiocese of Medellín.
Saints Cyril, monk, & Methodius, bishop, February 14 (Saint Valentine, presbyter & martyr)
