Father Nissen's sermon is based on 2 Peter 1:16 - 21. Here is that passage from The Message, which is either a Bible translation or a Bible paraphrase by Eugene Peterson.
We weren't, you know, just wishing on a star when we laid the facts out before you regarding the powerful return of our Master, Jesus Christ. We were there for the preview! We saw it with our own eyes: Jesus resplendent with light from God the Father as the voice of Majestic Glory spoke: "This is my Son, marked by my love, focus of all my delight." We were there on the holy mountain with him. We heard the voice out of heaven with our very own ears.
We couldn't be more sure of what we saw and heard--God's glory, God's voice. The prophetic Word was confirmed to us. You'll do well to keep focusing on it. It's the one light you have in a dark time as you wait for daybreak and the rising of the Morning Star in your hearts. the main thing to keep in mind here is that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of private opinion. And why? Because it's not something concocted in the human heart. Prophecy resulted when the Holy Spirit prompted men and women to speak God's Word.
Father Nissen's message: The HEART symbol is a universal symbol of togetherness and love. All of the times the romantic valentine fails and relationships end.
Another more committed kind of symbol for love is found in Peter's letter. It says, "The day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts." The morning star is the planet Venus, which morning by morning in certain periods appears just before dawn, signaling that the darkness is soon to be over. That morning star is Jesus.
Jesus gives us the love of Christ, committed love, caring love. You are able to love the complexity of a person who is different. Love then becomes challenging and an adventure.
Happy Valentine's Day.
