“Dare to Love” were words this morning that Jesus placed on my heart. I was seated and waiting for Holy Mass to begin at Corpus Christi Church. Pondering the thought of writing a blog for Valentine’s Day, titles floated thru my head. Once again, whatever I was thinking – went by the wayside for Jesus had plans of His own!
Just three words but oh so mighty! “Dare to Love” and so let’s define “dare” below:
Dare – to have the courage required for.
To challenge (someone) to do something requiring boldness.
To confront boldly, brave – defy
I couldn’t help but think of the word “Dare” in the language of Italian! Not that I know Italian – but our prayer group is named “Dare Alla Luce,” and so I know the meaning of those three words!
What are they? The phrase of “Dare Alla Luce” means “Give Birth To.” As I sat waiting for Mass, I realized a blog was being “birthed!” I thought of “Dare to Love” could be translated into Italian as follows: “Dare Alla Amore.” The romantic languages always give a “divine” Presence to expressing the heart. I began to fall in love with the love of these words!!!!
Jesus was beginning “His Valentine Letter” off with three beautiful words – “Dare Alla Amore!”
Mass began and the thoughts of “Dare to Love” or “Dare Alla Amore” left my mind because now “Love” was about to express “Itself” on the altar.
Love was also expressing itself quite profoundly in the words from Mark’s Gospel – Chapter 7:24-30 where the “woman whose daughter had an unclean spirit heard about him and fell at his feet.”
She wanted her daughter to be healed but Jesus responds in almost a negative way -comparing her request to the dogs who get the scraps at the children’s table. He seems to be almost testing her faith.
But this woman who completely gave herself up to “love” for her daughter to be healed confronts this Healer that she has heard of. She pursues and “boldly” has the “courage,” to defy and challenge the response of Jesus to her request! Her faith truly “amazes” Him and causes the “miraculous.”
Her “faith” and her “daring” proved to be unshakeable within the face of insults. She nevertheless fell at His feet adoring with a heart full of love and enduring faith. . .
Two stories seemed to be unfolding before my eyes! The title had been given for this blog and clearly the Gospel reading seemed to “define” the meaning of “Dare to Love” in the interaction between Jesus and the woman at His Feet. Whoa!
What was He “opening up” here before my eyes.
Jesus continued to write His letter during Mass to my heart. As I got up from my pew to approach the altar – the Eucharistic Minister passed by me to go to the second section of pews with the Ciborium. I bowed down automatically!
It was Jesus walking by me as pictured above. Something was happening here unlike any other day. Something was unfolding and I prayed that I would be alert to know what this letter was about. It seemed this was way more about a blog being posted.
Finding myself back at my seat in the pew – I was in “thanksgiving” to Jesus for His Body and Blood pulsing within me. I gazed at the Sacred Heart statue on the altar. I thought to myself – I love that statue because the “eyes of Jesus” look down so intently at the one who kneels in front of Him. It was my plan to go and kneel after Mass. I wanted to be in His eye view. . .I wanted to say yes to whatever He was asking or did I?
After Mass I sat for awhile opening up to a scripture reading in the Misalette book. I happened to look up and see a woman go up the steps of the altar and then disappear onto the floor before the Tabernacle. I didn’t think anything of it and thought she was praying – never thinking that the Gospel words were being shown right before my eyes.
I followed through with my idea of going to kneel at the Feet of Jesus in the Sacred Heart statue on the side altar. I knelt there for awhile and prayed in thanksgiving. However – I heard weeping. I glanced over to see where it was coming from. I realized it was the woman who had gone up to the altar prior and had fallen to the floor in front of the Tabernacle.
My heart was moved by her weeping but the Lord’s was as well. He had a plan today from the moment I woke up unbeknownst to me!
Today – He was calling me to be “daring,” calling me to “love” and calling me to take “His Heart” to another. Oh my goodness – words of command but gentle love – “be bold, Anita – be bold!”
“Tell her that I love her” – oh boy! Jesus was giving me a message for this loved one of His.
I have had experiences in past years of “giving messages to unknowns.”
I remember being directed in Medugorje to go to someone I did not know. I didn’t even know if they spoke English! My first response to Jesus was a flat out “no Lord!” He continued to invite – and I continued to be in fear. I finally bargained with Him – telling Him if this person did this – I would do that! It turned out He agreed with my bargain and delivered! I made good on my bargain as well and delivered too. That day I received my “boldness pin” but I wasn’t feeling that pin today! I think it went missing in my fear.
Was this a Valentine letter for me, for you or for the lady at his feet as the woman in the Gospel????? Yikes as I say.
Well, it was just last night that I was telling a friend about my Lourdes pilgrimage 20 years ago. At the time, I didn’t want to step into that murky green cold water of the Lourdes baths. The French lady who assisted me – must have seen my “no woman of mystery face” and said quite clearly to me in broken English –
“Do it for Her!”
She was pointing to a statue of Our Lady of Lourdes at the other end of the bath. Do it for Her! Okay – Okay!
With those words, I immediately submerged more quickly into that water than I could ever imagined. I told my friend last night that in essence – “when we do it for Her. . .we are doing it for Him!” And so – the image above depicts what the reaction is from Jesus – when we do it for Him!
No words to express that “joy” in English or even in Italian!!!!
Well, I mustered enough courage up – even knowing that there were still people left in the pews of the Church!
They would see me go behind the altar table and disappear onto the floor as the woman did earlier. She was weeping and Jesus was pushing me forward or my Guardian Angel was! Go! Go!
“Dare to Love” – I went so fast – all I knew was that we were both on the floor now! I placed two chocolate candy hearts before her on the altar that were in my pocket to give out. I told her simply – “Jesus loves you – He wants you to know that.”
She listened and then the weeping softly ended and the word of “gracias” escaped from her lips. Jesus had gotten His message to the heart of one who fell at His feet. He was amazed at this woman’s faith too. And so she received a Valentine from Him – the Giver of Love beyond telling.
Of late, it’s been all about “roses” – as our prayer group “Dare Alla Luce” is praying a 54 Day Rosary Novena to Our Lady. In that novena – we place the roses lovingly at the Blessed Mother’s Feet for every decade that is prayed in either the petition or thanksgiving weeks. I wonder at Her response when we do this?
Does She smell the fragrance of our heartfelt prayers and is Her heart filled with much joy?
So as Jesus holds the rose above so dearly in His hands and His gaze is one that is pure mystery. . .What is He pondering?
Possibly – “the petals of our souls” – that unfold in love, in daring, in boldness – not for our own sake but for the sake of others – the Body of Christ.
Before Mass today, I was able to greet many that I know with a smile or wave. I thought to myself – I truly love these people – they are my brothers and sisters in Christ. I believe Jesus was “priming me” for what He would ask me to do! That woman was “my sister” – who fell on the floor before the Tabernacle.
Being bold helps the petals of our souls unfold and give the fragrance of love to others in the “forgetting of ourselves.”
I don’t know what the woman was weeping for – she could have been weeping in love for Jesus or maybe sorrow. It doesn’t matter if I knew or not but what matters is that Jesus knew!
And so His Valentine Letter to all of us is expressed clearly in the title He gave me before Mass today!
DARE TO BE BOLD,
COURAGEOUS AND BRAVE
AND TO CHALLENGE YOURSELF
MAKE VALENTINE’S DAY
EVERYDAY
FOR YOUR SISTER OR BROTHER IN CHRIST!
©2025 Anita Guariglia
Scripture taken from Mark’s Gospel
Photo credits/ Pinterest and Instagram
2 Responses
Oh, this is so beautiful, Anita! Your message of love from Jesus to the woman weeping before the tabernacle is Jesus’ lesson to us to do the same when opportunities come our way. You prepared yourself with chocolate hearts with the intention of sharing His love which is something you so generously do everyday in many ways.
Oh not false humility here – but 100% truth – that it is the Holy Spirit that “moves” us to do the things we do each and every moment if we listen to see what is desired of us. And most times – without a clue – it seems we are prepared because “He” prepared us:0) God Bless You for always commenting dear friend, Anita