The temptation of Valentine's day

"Filled with the Holy Spirit, Jesus returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the dessert for forty days, to be tempted by the devil." (Luke 4:1-2)

It is the first Sunday of Lent. It is also Valentine's Day. Between the two, one event could easily outshine the other; it is quite obvious from my Facebook Newsfeed which one did. 

The Gospel reading for this Valentine Sunday - the temptation of Jesus - seems apt, though; because, indeed, there is a temptation that goes with Valentine's Day. I'm not even talking about the temptation of hanky-panky business (I'm sure you know what I mean.) that has become part of this occasion.

For the single and unattached, the temptation is to be bitter. It is actually a daily temptation but it becomes all the more real on this day otherwise known as Singles' Awareness Day. When all the feeds of the social networking sites are filled with flowers, chocolates and hearts, it is so easy to fall into the temptation of feeling jealous about all the sweetness that's going around. You decide to get out of the house and have lunch or dinner (because, of course, you do need to eat) and you find yourself surrounded by all these happy couples, sharing dish. And saliva. Blech! That's some nasty bitter aftertaste in the mouth, right?

I may join in the whole bitterness fanfare, throw in a few #hugot lines here and there, but in all honesty, unbelievable as it may sound, I do not feel bitter at all. To all these cheesy romantic stuff, I have either one of two reactions - happiness or none at all. For my favorite couple friends or dearest friends who've finally found the one, I'd be more than happy to sing at their weddings, if they ask me to. For the rest of the world in love, I say, go on, just take a stab at forever.

And for all those who do still feel bitter, it's alright. The less fortunate in love, like us, do go through that. However, I hope you can soon make the choice to move out of that phase. Sure, you did not get the guy or the girl but hey, maybe it's just not the right time. Or maybe, just maybe, for whatever reason, being half of a couple is not the path for you - think about that.

Anyway, wherever you are at this point, I wish you true happiness in whatever kind of love that you have found. 

Happy Valentine's Day!

To enjoy life regardless