The True Meaning of Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day is upon us, and with it come multitudes of candy hearts, chocolates, roses, and cards.  However, Valentine’s Day was not always a day to pamper that special someone; the true message of the holiday is one of real love and sacrifice, in the fashion of St. Valentine.

Though it is unclear which St. Valentine we commemorate on the 14th of February, many believe that we celebrate the life of the St. Valentine who served as a holy priest in Rome and helped to liberate the martyrs under the persecution of Emperor Claudius II.  Valentine was captured and executed on February 14 for his refusal to renounce his faith.  Though we are not necessarily expected to put our lives on the line, God does expect us to demonstrate the same kind of love and sacrifice that Valentine embodied.

One particular way we can show our love to God and others is through being responsible with our finances.  It is a sacrifice to forego compulsive spending to ensure that we are performing our duties as God’s stewards.  But in doing so, we gain so many more benefits than we give up.  When we become closer to God by becoming his stewards, our love for him increases, and we find it easier to spread that love to our families.

“Beloved, let us love one another, because love is of God; everyone who loves is begotten by God and knows God.” (1 John 4:7)  By demonstrating our responsibility as stewards and caring for those closest to us, we come to know God better than we have before; and in turn, our loved ones are able to do the same.

This Valentine’s Day, follow God’s call to be responsible with your finances.  Show your loved ones the greatest love of all–the love of God–and spread the message through your community.  For more information on Catholic money management perspectives, browse through the various resources we have provided on our website.