Memorial of Saints Cyril, Monk, and Methodius, Bishop
The legend of St. Valentine tells us that he was martyred for practicing Christianity in a pagan land. His chief accuser, a provost, having obtained a conviction and a death sentence, saw Valentine praying in prison and became curious. He asked Valentine to pray for his daughter, who was blind, promising that he would, himself, become a Christian if she were healed. The saint prayed, the girl was healed, and the provost converted, but the death sentence could not be stopped. Valentine lost his head and gained the crown of martyrdom.
Although we may have little certainty about St. Valentine’s legend, we do have great certainty about the gospel of Jesus Christ and the many miracles therein, including the healing of the blind. We also have Christ’s teaching about what these miracles mean. “I came into this world for judgment, so that those who do not see might see, and those who do see might become blind” (John 9:39). Christ came to teach us what true seeing is, and what true blindness is, and what true light is. “I am the light of the world” (John 8:12).