Happy Saint Valentinus The Martyr Day!

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The True Story of Valentine's Day

The celebration of Valentine's Day extends far beyond flowers and chocolates to a profound story of faith, sacrifice, and the early Christian church. In the mid-200s AD, a clergy member named Valentinus served as either a priest or bishop in the town of Terni, Umbria. His primary role was ministering to Christians facing persecution under Roman law, prior to Christianity becoming legally practiced under St. Augustine.

While under house arrest for evangelizing, Valentinus encountered Judge Asterius, who challenged him to prove his faith by healing his blind daughter. After Valentinus successfully restored her sight through prayer, the judge asked what he desired in return. Rather than requesting his own freedom, Valentinus gave three conditions: remove all idols, pray and fast, and be baptized into the Christian faith. The judge complied and subsequently released all imprisoned Christians.

Valentinus continued evangelizing despite the risks, secretly performing Christian marriages - an act that frustrated Emperor Claudius II's military recruitment since married men were exempt from service. During his final imprisonment, he exchanged encouraging letters with Judge Asterius's daughter, signing them "Your Valentinus" - the origin of "Be My Valentine."

Legend suggests Valentinus would cut small hearts from parchment to give to married couples as reminders of their love for God and marital vows. Ultimately, when Emperor Claudius II demanded he renounce his faith or face death, Valentinus remained steadfast and was martyred on February 14, 269 AD.

Gramster Rant: Reclaiming the Holiday's Meaning

Today's commercialized version of Valentine's Day, focused on guilt-driven gift-giving, has largely obscured its profound Christian origins. The holiday actually celebrates our freedom to worship, pray, evangelize, and marry without persecution. These fundamental religious liberties, won through the sacrifice of martyrs like Valentinus, deserve to be remembered and taught to future generations.

Rather than reducing February 14th to merely an obligation for chocolates and flowers, we should recognize it as a day commemorating steadfast faith, sacrificial love, and the advancement of religious freedom. The true spirit of Valentine's Day lies not in commercial pressure but in remembering those who gave their lives to preserve and spread the Gospel message.

Right On or Way Off

"All God's Children Are Beautiful"

WAY OFF! While God loves all people equally and sees them through the lens of Christ's redemptive work, beauty standards have shifted dramatically throughout history. From the "Rubenesque" ideals of the 1700s to Twiggy's influence in the 1960s, cultural preferences constantly evolve. True beauty transcends physical appearance and is found in God's creative design and redemptive purpose for each person.

"The Lord prefers common-looking people - that's why he made so many of them."

RIGHT ON! This humorous quote from Abraham Lincoln emerged during discussions about his own appearance during his presidential campaign. When a little girl suggested he grow a beard, he did - and went on to win the election. The quote cleverly addresses human prejudices while highlighting the universality of God's creation.

"Travis Kelce was just being competitive when he shoved Coach Reid"

WAY OFF! This Super Bowl incident represents a concerning cultural shift in authority relationships and respect. While competitiveness is natural, physically confronting a 65-year-old authority figure crosses previously established boundaries. Such behavior would have been unthinkable in earlier eras of professional sports, highlighting changing cultural standards that deserve examination.