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Valentine’s Day from a Christian Perspective: Love Beyond Romance

February 14 is Valentine’s Day, a day widely associated with romance and expressions of love. What is often forgotten is that Valentine’s Day has Christian roots. The day is traditionally associated with Saint Valentine, a Christian martyr remembered for faithfulness and sacrifice. While historical details vary, the Christian origin of the day is well established in early Church tradition. Saint Valentine is believed to have lived in the third century during a time when Christianity was persecuted under Roman rule. Several accounts exist, but they consistently describe him as a Christian priest or bishop who remained faithful to Christ despite opposition. According to tradition, he was imprisoned and executed for his faith, possibly for ministering to Christians or defending the sanctity of marriage. Although the precise details are debated, the association of his name with sacrifice, commitment, and faithfulness remains central to why February 14 came to be linked with love. This orig...
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Is Lent a Form of Legalism? A Biblical Answer

No, Lent is not legalism. The claim that Lent is a form of legalism is common, especially among Christians who equate any structured spiritual practice with works-based religion. This accusation sounds convincing on the surface, but it collapses under careful biblical and theological examination. Lent is not legalism. It is a voluntary, pastoral, and biblically grounded season of discipline that presupposes grace, not replaces it. Legalism, in its biblical sense, refers to the belief that obedience to rules earns salvation or justifies a person before God. Scripture strongly rejects this idea. Salvation is a gift of grace, not a reward for human effort (Ephesians 2:8–9). Catholic teaching fully affirms this truth. Lent does not claim, teach, or imply that fasting, prayer, or almsgiving earn salvation. Any practice that claims to merit salvation apart from grace would indeed be legalism, but that is not what Lent is or has ever been. Jesus Himself addressed this issue directly. In the S...
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Is Fasting Meant to Be Private or Public? A Biblical Answer

The question of whether fasting should be private or public often arises from a misunderstanding of Jesus’ teaching and the nature of Christian discipline. The biblical and Catholic answer is clear and balanced: fasting is primarily interior and directed toward God, but it may also have legitimate public and communal expressions. Treating the issue as an either-or choice misrepresents both Scripture and Catholic teaching. Jesus directly addressed fasting in the Sermon on the Mount. He warned against fasting for the sake of appearance, instructing His followers not to fast in order to be seen by others (Matthew 6:16–18). His concern was not with visibility itself, but with motivation. Jesus condemned fasting that seeks human approval, praise, or spiritual status. He did not condemn fasting that is known, shared, or practiced within a community for the right reasons. The issue is the heart, not the setting. Catholic teaching follows this distinction closely. Fasting is meant to be an act...
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Scripture Reading During Lent: A Catholic and Biblical Perspective

Scripture reading during Lent, from a Catholic and biblical perspective, is not an optional devotional add-on or an academic exercise. It is a central way in which believers listen to God, encounter truth, and allow their lives to be examined and reshaped. Lent calls Christians not only to speak to God through prayer, but to listen attentively to Him through His Word, preparing the heart to reflect on the suffering, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The importance of Scripture in Lent is rooted in Scripture itself. Throughout the Bible, God’s Word calls His people to repentance, trust, and renewal. The psalmist describes God’s word as a lamp for the path and a light for the journey (Psalm 119:105). Lent is precisely such a journey, and Scripture provides direction, correction, and hope along the way. The example of Jesus Christ stands at the center of Catholic understanding. During His forty days in the wilderness, Jesus confronted temptation by relying on Scripture, declaring t...
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Repentance During Lent: A Catholic and Biblical Perspective

Repentance during Lent, from a Catholic and biblical perspective, is not about temporary guilt, self-criticism, or outward performance. It is about conversion of heart, a sincere turning away from sin and a deliberate return to God. Lent is observed to foster this conversion, preparing believers to reflect honestly on the suffering, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, which stand at the center of the Christian faith. Scripture consistently presents repentance as more than regret. In the Old Testament, God repeatedly calls His people to turn back to Him with sincerity, not merely with external actions (Ezekiel 18:30–31). The prophets warned that religious observance without repentance is empty and even offensive to God (Isaiah 1:16–18). This biblical foundation shapes the Catholic understanding of Lent as a season ordered toward interior change, not ritual compliance. Jesus Christ placed repentance at the heart of His message. At the beginning of His public ministry, He proclaimed ...
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