Reflection of the Month - Rev Mindy Bell
An image of Rev Mindy Bell, Christian Methodist Chaplain
Love Expressed in Valentines & Ashes
Valentine’s Day and Ash Wednesday are days away from each other this year. On the 14th we celebrate romantic love. Just four days later Christians enter into Lent, a season of fasting and facing our mortality in preparation for the celebration of Easter.
Valentines & Ash Wednesday have more in common than we might first presume. Lent reminds us that life is short, but Valentines reminds us to use our time of earth to love well.
A true expression of love requires focus, commitment and passion. Love is more than feelings and needs to be fed by prioritising things that keep us loving well. The give and take of loving well forms us, as we seek the genuine well-being of the other.
During Lent, Christians seek to better understand Jesus’ love for humanity and mirror this love in their lives. Such love requires more than sentimentality; it requires a long hard look at our lives which embraces both humility and our belovedness.
Love’s myriad of forms will see us through to a meaningful life. However you celebrate, it is my hope and prayer that we may all love with passion!
This reflection was written by Rev Mindy Bell, our Christian Methodist Chaplain. You can find out more about Rev Mindy by clicking here to visit her profile.
The views expressed in this reflection are those of the Chaplain and do not necessarily represent the position of the University of Birmingham's Multifaith Chaplaincy.