A Valentine of Blessing and Woe

Luke 6:17–26
20 Then he looked up at his disciples and said:
“Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.
21 “Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you will be filled.
“Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh.
22 “Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you, revile you, and defame you[a] on account of the Son of Man. 23 Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, for surely your reward is great in heaven; for that is what their ancestors did to the prophets.
24 “But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation.
25 “Woe to you who are full now, for you will be hungry.
“Woe to you who are laughing now, for you will mourn and weep.
26 “Woe to you when all speak well of you, for that is what their ancestors did to the false prophets.

When I was a grade schooler, the Valentines Day party was a highlight of the winter months. It was one of the few parties we could have, since it was a secular holiday. I remember making the shoebox mailboxes to hold all the Valentines I would receive. The box decorated with red, pink, purples, and white along with doilies, hearts, and massive amounts of glitter. I remember making valentines and buying the trendy boxed cartoony Valentines at the store. As I got older candy was expected to be included. Pixie Sticks and Tootsie Pops being the favorites. As a parent later in life, the expectation grew as I helped host the classroom parties with the homemade cupcakes and clever games.
Those parties are such happy memories. Now a days, these parties aren’t always as commonplace as they once were. Schools are growing more inclusive and equitable about these types of parties and finding new ways of celebrating as communities of diverese backgrounds, resources and traditions. Not every child or family can afford the time, money, parent invovlement and expected effort a party requires these days.

Today’s gospel story of Jesus’ words of blessing and woe during his talk on the plain made me think about what Jesus might say about the inclusivity and equity regarding kids and school parties. Perhaps he would say something like this…

Blessed are you, who have a hard time making friends.
Blessed are you, who are bullied or teased.
Blessed are you who received free lunch or clothes from the donation box.
Blessed are you who have learning challenges or can’t sit still the way you are expected to.
God knows you and is with you in your struggles to be seen and heard and loved for more than your grade.

Woe to you schools that prioritize scores over skills.
Woe to your systems the benefit some but not all.
Woe to your groups that prioritize big wins over small successes.
Woe to you well minded leaders who create unintended situations of discomfort and embarrassment in order to participate in community celebrations.
God challenges you to do better, to do more to serve all and build up hearts as well as minds.

I think Jesus loves a good party.
But Jesus is the teacher who demands that everyone is able to have the resources, time and abilities to make sure all the kids in the class receive a Valentine.
Jesus reminds us that everyone is worthy of love.
Jesus also reminds us that love is not a commodity to market and hoard. ​

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