Love Actually

With today being Valentine's Day, many will be hoping that 'the love of their life' remembers to show that love in some romantic way. The cost of flowers will be much higher, and restaurants will be laying on special menus with extravagant items, all at a special price. The marketing possibilities for such a day are legion, and it is all in the name of 'love, actually!'
Last evening, in a very different atmosphere, 60 volunteers were commissioned to be Street Angels at a wonderfully encouraging service at Christ Church, in the town centre. Those present included the Mayor, the High Sherrif, the Bishop of Dorking, Woking's Chief Executive, and Assistant Chief Constable of Surrey Police, together with hundreds of local Christians and well-wishers. But the focus was on our role in serving those most vulnerable in society.
The preacher, Lucy Brierley, from the URC, focused on the Parable of the Good Samaritan. As always, the punch line carries the point. ' “Now which of these three would you say was a neighbour to the man who was attacked by bandits?” Jesus asked.
The man replied, “The one who showed him mercy.”
Then Jesus said, “Yes, now go and do the same.”' (Luke 10.36-37)
Unlike all the ways to spend extravagantly on Valentine gifts, love for neighbour is giving freely of oneself without charging. Showing mercy to those in need, which is love actually, costs in different ways from a flashy demonstration of romantic affirmation.
How will we show love actually today? In the Jesus way or the Valentine way?
Best wishes,
Richard