Dear Friends,

In so many parts of the world the month of February means Valentine's Day; cards, flowers, chocolates, and other expressions of love. However, there is another love, an even deeper love, of which Valentine's day can be a reminder. It's the love that comes to us from the heart of God. It's the kind of love that we in turn should have for one another. Scripture teaches us " see that you love one another with a pure heart fervently." But, do we love one another like that? I meet Christians who certainly do not feel loved by other Christians. " Where is the love?" they often wonder when they are on the receiving end of someone's sharp tongue or harsh criticism. The Bible teaches us " owe no man anything but to love one another" that is not a request, it's a demand. It's a debt that you and I are to pay to each other as believers in Jesus Christ, it's also a debt we must pay to those who are not Christians. Are you making your payments, your debt of love? or are you falling short as you cause division amongst your brothers and sisters in Christ, by your failure to forgive and to love? " Love your enemies," we are told. There are many hateful and critical comments made about people; people in church, people of other faiths and culture, people at work, people in management and government and within families, " they don't care, they never visit me, they say terrible things about me, they don't do this, they don't do that." Have you noticed that such comments nearly always contain the word 'They' It's always someone else's fault. Most of these comments are destructive and extremely negative and do little to build community and harmony. All they achieve is to cause division amongst people and no more so when that sort of negativity is found within the Christian community. As Christians we should know better. There is no excuse good enough to satisfy Jesus, who commanded us to " Love our neighbour as ourselves." We are called to forgive. Remember the words of St Peter " Lord how many times must I forgive my brother, seven times?" to which Jesus replied " No Peter seventy times seven," in other words we must go on and on forgiving. Love and forgiveness doesn't drive people away. Negative criticism, hate and unforgiveness drives people away. Criticism and hate can make people despise the Christ we Christians claim as ours. Love wins people, love draws people into the outstretched arms of the Saviour. We were all part of the world 'that God so loved' long before we became a lover of God. God loves us, he always has and always will. It's you and I that he sends back into that loved world to preach the Gospel of love and reconciliation. A love that loved us all the way to the cross. February with its cards, flowers, hearts and messages of love can be a reminder to us all of what real love is, what real love can do and what it really means. If you need reminding of this then can I suggest you read 1 Corinthians Chapter 13 verses 1-end. February will also herald in the season of Lent, Ash Wednesday this year falls on 21st February. Lent is traditionally a time of taking stock, of reflection and prayer. Why not during this Lent take the time to pray and reflect upon how you are putting into practice Christ's command to " love one another as I have loved you." You owe it to yourself, you owe it to your neighbour and your church, but most importantly of all you owe it to your Saviour and Lord, Jesus Christ.

Your friend and Vicar