LET'S TALK ABOUT TODAY'S FEAST

**LET'S TALK ABOUT TODAY'S FEAST.**

Today, in the calendar of the Roman Catholic Church, we celebrate Saint Valentine, the Patron Saint of Lovers, Happy Marriages, Beekeepers, and Epileptics. The feast we celebrate today honors a saint who exemplifies the union of lovers in the love of Christ and the sacrament of Holy Matrimony. St. Valentine defied Emperor Claudius II, who had banned young men from marrying. Thus, this celebration is not about lust; it is a celebration of love—a tribute to a man who fought the good fight of faith on behalf of lovers.

In researching St. Valentine, I discovered three key insights that help clarify the significance of today's feast, steering it away from becoming a day focused on lust.

1) **Love God:** In the Catholic Church, the designation of martyr implies that the individual’s life demonstrated a commitment to Christ; they died for the truth of Christ. A martyr is someone who has been killed for their faith in Jesus. 

As you celebrate Valentine's Day today, take a moment to reflect on your love for God. Consider the passion you felt when you were first baptized or born again. This feast invites us to love God more deeply and encourages us to help our loved ones, spouses, friends, and relatives grow in their love for Him. To truly experience the essence of Valentine's Day, focus on nurturing your love for God.

What does it mean to love God? As stated in 1 John 5:3: 

"In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome."

2) **Love Yourself:** The greatest love a person can have for themselves is to choose what is right. St. Valentine chose Christ, demonstrating self-love by making the right choices for his destiny; this is why we honor him worldwide today. 

As you celebrate this season of love, choose not to pursue lust; if you truly love yourself, choose Christ—who embodies love—over lust, which is a manifestation of the flesh. 

3) **Love the World You’re Creating:** St. Valentine was committed to fostering a world of love. Before his execution, he allegedly sent a letter to a jailer's daughter, a heartfelt “love letter." He was so passionate about the world he was creating that even at the point of his death, he continued to preach love. 

Today is also an opportunity to reflect on the world you are creating. Do you love your world? What mission has God sent you to fulfill? Do you embrace that mission? We celebrate St. Valentine today because he dedicated his life out of love for his mission.

**In conclusion,** today is not about lustful acts; rather, it encourages us to reflect on our love for God, for ourselves, and for the world around us. "In Love, we find God; in God, we find Love. Let love lead. I love you all." God bless you.

Happy Valentine's Day!  

St. Valentine - Pray for us.

I hope you find this insightful.

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