Hello, fellow romantics and soulmates!
With Valentine's Day just touched down, romance is undoubtedly in the air. But hold onto your heart-shaped chocolates, because this year, Cupid's arrow isn't the only thing on the horizon. In a rare celestial twist, February 14th marks not only the celebration of love but the solemn beginning of Lent with Ash Wednesday.
Yep, heard it right! For the first time since 2018, these two seemingly disparate occasions are converging once again, promising a unique blend of romance and temptation.
Valentine's Day, a holiday originated as a Christian feast day honoring a martyr named Valentine, has evolved, over time, into a celebration of romance and love. On the other hand, Ash Wednesday begins the 40 days of Lent in Christendom, a time when we remember that Jesus Christ spent 40 days in the desert growing hungry from fasting and facing temptation.
And guess what? This cosmic alignment isn't just a one-off occurrence, it's a phenomenon that's only happened a handful of times in the last century, with the next rendezvous set for 2029.
So, what's the deal with this intriguing overlap? Well, buckle up, because, in this article, we're diving headfirst into the essence of Valentine's romance alongside the age-old temptation in Ash Wednesday's solemn observance. Get ready to navigate the delicate dance between romance and temptation as we unravel the mysteries of this rare cosmic rendezvous with an episode in the life of Dave.
Dave sat at his desk, the glow of the computer screen casting shadows across his tired face. Another long day at the office was coming to an end, and he couldn't wait to get home to his wife and son. As he packed up his belongings, Lucy, his attractive secretary, approached him with a smile.
"Hey Dave," she said, turning a lock of her hair flirtatiously. "I was thinking since it's Friday, why don't we grab dinner tonight? You know, to celebrate the end of the week?"
Dave's heart skipped a beat. He was happily married, and he had never given Lucy any reason to think otherwise. But there was something about her invitation that made him feel uneasy.
"Um, I don't know, Lucy," he stammered trying to find an excuse. "I should really get home to my wife and son."
Lucy's smile faltered for a moment, but then she leaned in closer, her perfume filling Dave's senses. "Oh, come on, Dave," she whispered. "It'll just be a friendly dinner. Nothing more."
Dave hesitated feeling the pull of temptation tugging at his conscience.
But just as he was about to give in, his phone chimed with a message. It was from his seven-year-old son, Eli.
"Dad, what's the silliest thing that happened to you at work today? Tell me all about it! Guess what? I learned a magic trick today! Can I show it to you when you get home?"
Dave's heart melted at his son's words. He remembered the promise he had made to always be there for Eli, to be a good role model and father. With a newfound resolve, he typed out a quick reply to his son, assuring him that he would be home soon.
As he looked up from his phone, he saw Lucy waiting expectantly for his answer. But instead of agreeing to dinner, Dave shook his head with a smile.
"I'm sorry Lucy," he said firmly. "But I have plans tonight. Maybe some other time."
Lucy's disappointment was evident, but Dave didn't dwell on it. He quickly made his way to the parking lot, his heart lighter knowing that he had made the right decision.
As he started his car and pulled out of the parking lot, he glanced in his rearview mirror and saw Lucy getting into her own car. For a moment, he felt a twinge of guilt, wondering if he had hurt her feelings. But then he remembered his son's message and the promise he had made to his family.
With a smile, Dave drove off into the night, grateful for the love and support of his wife and son. As he made his way home, he couldn't wait to hear all about Eli's magic trick and share the stories of his day at work. For in that moment, he knew that no temptation was irresistible, as long as he had his family by his side -- and, of course, perhaps, unknown to him -- God's promise put into the following words in the Bible:
But remember this -- the wrong desires that come into your life aren't anything new and different. Many others have faced exactly the same problems before you. And no temptation is irresistible. You can trust God to keep the temptation from becoming so strong that you can't stand up against it, for he has promised this and will do what he says. He will show you how to escape temptation's power so that you can bear up patiently against it. (1 Cor 10:13)
It's not always a happy ending, though, sad to say.
In my past ATABAY article What Do I See?, I delved into a 2002 film Unfaithful. It tells the story of a couple, played by Richard Gere and Diane Lane, whose marriage goes dangerously awry when the seemingly content wife and mother stumbles into a haphazard encounter with an enigmatic stranger, played by Olivier Martinez.
I watched the full movie many years ago and what caught my eye was this scene: just before the wife went up to the stranger's apartment, an available taxi passed by. She saw but ignored it. Hailing the taxi could have made the difference -- that could have been their first and last encounter -- she could have not gotten the book given to her by the stranger where she could find his phone numbers.
The consequence at the end of the film was grim. The husband, fueled by rage and despair, confronts her lover after discovering the truth about her infidelity. In a moment of heated passion, tragedy strikes. Her lover meets an untimely end at her husband's hands.
What I see is a God-sent taxi to give the wife the last chance to escape the temptation. As another version of the same Bible passage goes:
God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide A WAY OUT so that you can endure it. (Emphasis mine)
As Dave sat at his desk, the weight of Lucy's resignation letter heavy in his hands, he couldn't shake the feeling of unease. Had he inadvertently driven her away with his refusal to indulge in temptation? The office felt emptier without her presence, and Dave couldn't help but wonder if he had made the right decision.
But just as doubt threatened to consume him, his phone lit up with a message from Eli: "Dad, can you teach me how to whistle using two fingers? It's urgent!" He smiled. Amid the chaos of his thoughts, Dave found solace in Eli's voice.
And as he tucked away Lucy's letter, he couldn't help but feel grateful for the reminder that life's treasure were found not in the dance of romance and temptation, but in the love and laughter of family.
Content put together in collaboration with ChatGPT
Head photo courtesy of Aleteia
Video clips courtesy of YouTube
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