M. Scott Peck and Pope John Paul II on Love

In his classic book, Further Along the Road Less Traveled, M. Scott Peck defines love as an action and describes it as extending yourself for the benefit or improvement of another person.

In Love and Responsibility, Pope John Paul II  (writing early in life as Karol Wojtyla) explains why love and responsibility are connected and cannot be separated. He goes on to explain the church's position against pre marital and extra marital sex. He says no one deserves the pleasures and intimacy of the sexual relationship if that person is unwilling to be responsible to you and for you. In our culture, that level of deep, sustained responsibility is expressed exclusively in marriage. John Paul II warns against the futility and sadness that come when we separate our sexual relationships from the other parts of our lives. 

In much of the English speaking world, Valentine's Day is a time to celebrate and reflect upon all of the love we have experienced, shared, given, and received. Love is a gift from God and is the defining nature of the God we love and serve. Without love, great power and limitless knowledge become weapons we must shield ourselves against. It's love that makes all good things into good gifts.