The Gospel in Conversation Hearts

During this week of Valentine’s Day, stores fill with sweet treats. And none are so iconic as those little pastel-colored conversation hearts, each stamped with short and sweet messages like “Be Mine,” “You Rock,” and “Love You.” These little candies may not be the most gourmet treat, but they hold a certain nostalgia. And moreso, they remind us that love, in its simplest form, is meant to be shared.

As I look at these tiny messages, I wonder what would God’s conversation heart say to us?

A simple answer is that God would say exactly the message often printed on those traditional, chalky disks. Or, perhaps words from Scripture are a better fit: “I have loved you with an everlasting love” (Jeremiah 31:3), and “You are mine” (Isaiah 43:1).

Our chaotic world moves quickly, and conversation hearts come and go from stores in the blink of a Hallmark season. But this is not the way of love in the Kingdom of God. God’s love is steadfast and enduring. In John 15:12, Jesus commands, “Love one another as I have loved you.” It’s a love that is not just sentiment but action; it is love that forgives, serves, and sacrifices.

As Episcopalians, we affirm this love every time we gather at the Eucharist. At the altar, Christ’s love is not just spoken. It is given, received, and embodied. The bread and wine are God’s ultimate love note to us: Take, eat, this is my body given for you.

This Valentine’s Day, let those little candies remind you of a bigger truth: God loves you beyond words, and God's love is yours always, to receive and share.