Ah, Valentine's Day. Today, more accurately referred to as the Hallmark holiday. But for those who know the real story of St. Valentine, who was beheaded and martyred for performing secret Christian marriages contrary to Roman law, I'm not sure folks would celebrate in the same way. Still, it's worth pondering the notion of love on this day of romance, and for that, C.S. Lewis's THE FOUR LOVES can be quite instructive. For Lewis, it is far more helpful to consider the four nuanced conception of loves that the Greeks propound, as opposed to the clunky, single-term English word for love. As Lewis describes it, there is storge- affectionate love; philia-friendship (a la Philadelphia's brotherly love); eros-romantic love; and agape- spiritual love. From this perspective, most of what is celebrated on Valentine's Day in our culture is Eros, which, like beauty, is fleeting. What kind of love does our Blessed Lord recommend? Agape, of course, for there is no greater love than this - to lay down one's life for a friend. Something to ponder on this day of flowers, chocolates, and cards. Have a blessed day!