Saint Paul says the key to his ministry is acting not for his own benefit but for that of many.

Why are we human beings generally so uncomfortable in our own lives? Why is our existence such a poor fit, despite everything we do to make ourselves at home in this world?

His connection to romance is a stretch, but Saint Valentine, an early Christian martyred by the Romans, did sacrifice his life for love—of Christ. Last Election Day, I witnessed eight women who were willing to do the same for love—of their community.

What is it about human beings that we have such a need to divide people into the “ins” and the “outs”? It starts young. When I was in kindergarten, Charlie Goebig decided that one unfortunate girl in our class had cooties and that we should all run from her on the playground.

Every day of my third-grade year started with the same routine: My sister and I would board the school bus braced for the abuse that would be hurled my way by a handful of older boys—seventh- and eighth-graders—who took offense to my very pronounced overbite.

We acknowledge our faults before the Lord, who takes away our sins.

The things that we love tell us what we are.