By: Ellie Burgueno, Writer and Journalist
February, the month of love and friendship, has become a date that polarizes opinions. For many, it is simply a commercial excuse, a date the capitalist system has turned into a machinery that encourages mass consumption, driving people to spend on flowers, chocolates, and gifts in an attempt to meet social expectations or impress their loved ones. However, beyond this consumerist approach, February 14 invites us to a deep reflection on the true meaning of love and friendship.
Each year, millions of people celebrate Valentine’s Day, a date that has transformed into a global symbol of love and affection, especially between couples but also among friends. In some Latin American countries, this day is known as “Día del Amor y la Amistad” (The Day of Love and Friendship), and although its origin is somewhat uncertain, historians agree that it stems from ancient Roman festivals like Lupercalia, a pagan celebration linked to fertility, sacrifice, and purification. Over the centuries, this celebration evolved into the commercialized version we know today.
Yet, regardless of its historical roots and commercialization, Valentine’s Day reminds us of something important: love and friendship are fundamental to human well-being. As we will see, love has a much deeper dimension than it is often given credit for.
Love is not merely a superficial emotion that we experience at a given moment. It is a force that has the power to transform our lives and the lives of those around us. Without love, it is nearly impossible to survive in a world full of cruelty and injustice, as Victor Hugo so eloquently expressed in Les Misérables: “Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into a friend.” This quote highlights what love truly can do: it changes perspectives, softens hardened hearts, and allows us to find humanity even in the darkest situations.
In a society where selfishness, competition, and greed seem to dominate, love emerges as a necessary antidote. It is the driving force that pushes us to go beyond our personal interests and think about the well-being of others. Love is the key that enables us to see the humanity in those around us, despite their flaws and differences. It gives us the strength to face adversity and to build bridges instead of walls.
Love manifests in different forms, and as the Bible points out, there are distinct types of love that reflect the varied human relationships. In his epistle to the Corinthians, the Apostle Paul describes the qualities of true love: “Love is patient, love is kind; love does not envy, love does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs…” (1 Corinthians 13:4-8). This love is unconditional, pure, and selfless, which makes it a fundamental pillar for any society that aspires to peace and cooperation.
Christian tradition recognizes three fundamental forms of love: Eros, Filia, and Ágape. Eros represents passionate love, linked to desire and romantic attraction; Filia is the love we feel for our friends and family, a love based on respect and loyalty; and Ágape, the unconditional love, the purest of all, which can extend not only to our loved ones but to the world at large. This last type of love calls us to love our humanity, to embrace our differences, and to be compassionate even with those who may seem to be our enemies.
We live in times when selfishness, individualism, and competition seem to be the norm. Greed and the thirst for power often take precedence over empathy and collaboration. Yet love is the answer to this divided world. In the midst of injustice, love reminds us that we are not alone, that human connection is essential to our survival and well-being.
Love makes us look beyond ourselves and invites us to act selflessly. It teaches us to forgive, to heal wounds, and to walk together in solidarity. Without love, society would be a cold and lonely place, marked by indifference and separation. But when we allow love to guide our actions, everything changes: compassion replaces judgment, mutual aid becomes a priority, and forgiveness becomes a path toward reconciliation.
Although Valentine’s Day is mainly celebrated with gifts and flowers, it serves as an opportunity to reflect on what truly matters. Love should not be reduced to a superficial gesture or a material exchange. It is an invitation to be better human beings, to care for others, to be generous with our time, our understanding, and our support. It is an opportunity to remember that love is a transformative energy that has the power to make the world a better place.
This February, beyond the flowers and chocolates, let us reflect on true love, the kind that invites us to be patient, to be kind, to forgive, and, above all, to be compassionate. A love that seeks no reward but gives without expecting anything in return, and that has the power to transform, heal, and unite. In a world that often seems to lack it, it is always worth remembering that love is, and always will be, the force that moves the world.
