February 14. Valentine’s Day.  Jeanette smiled to herself and thought, “Funny that. God made the man first but she was the one who took the initiative and fed him something very good to eat.  That is certainly still her lot and being a good cook making attractive dishes is a pleasure many women still enjoy, but of course men do too.   It must have been quite a temptation to eat from a desirable tree.  That is how it is with temptation and with nice food, a permanent challenge. I wonder when it comes to Valentine’s Day what will theIr choices be.” 

Reflect, share. Scripture When the woman saw that the tree was good for food and that it was a delight to the eyes and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruits and ate and she also gave some to her husband and he ate.  Gene 3:1-8.   Pope Francis.  The spirituality of family love is made up of thousands of small but real gestures.  In that variety of gifts and encounters which deepen communion God has his dwelling place. AL 315.   JUBILEE.  We need to “abound in hope” (cf. Rom 15:13), so that we may bear credible and attractive witness to the faith and love that dwell in our hearts; that our faith may be joyful and our charity enthusiastic; and that each of us may be able to offer a smile, a small gesture of friendship, a kind look, a ready ear, a good deed, in the knowledge that, in the spirit of Jesus, these can become, for those who receive them, rich seeds of hope.  SNC 18   Prayer and action.  Pray that married couples’ love will be sustained through their commitment to build a strong family too.  Choose appropriate action.