A Short Valentine’s Day Message

Valentine’s day is named after St. Valentine, who was said to be arrested
for defying Roman laws and aiding Christians in a number of ways, including
secretly administering weddings for soldiers and Christian couples, who were
then forbidden to marry under the Roman Empire. The story of St. Valentine
goes to show that real love, that which is unwavering, is best demonstrated
during difficult times. It is shown through sacrifice and the willingness to
experience sacrifice because of that love. This is the kind of love St. Valentine
had for the people and, most especially, for his Almighty Creator. It is the love
our God has for us, His children.

I believe that the true essence of Valentine’s Day is to foster the value of
sacrifice, and not only a day when lovers and married couples reaffirm their
genuine affection for one another. It is about nurturing our families: for parents,
sacrificing a great deal of our time and effort to prepare a bright future for our
children, and for the children, sacrificing some moments of leisure and rest in
order to become successful in their studies, as a way to reciprocate their
parents’ toiling and hard work. Moreover, Valentine’s Day is also for couples to
make sacrifices for their relationships to work, which comes with the main
responsibility of maintaining commitment.

But most importantly, my dear friends, let us bear in mind that Valentine’s
Day should bring us closer to the source of true love, our Divine Creator, for He
has promised, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Whoever does not love,
does not know God, because God is love. Yes, no one has ever seen God; but
if we love one another, God lives in us and His love is made complete in us.

Let us use this especial day to share our hearts to those we care about;
let us make them feel God’s love through us. I strongly believe that a world
devoid of love, which is inspired by our sacrifices and God’s affection for us, is
an empty world. We need genuine love to spread all over our communities to
heal hearts that are wounded or broken, and to warm hearts that struggles in
life have made cold.

Happy Valentine’s Day everyone, and may we continue to become a

generous, giving vessel of God’s overflowing love for all humanity.