Crown Wealth

  The Courageous Love of Saint Valentine When we hear the name Saint Valentine , images of flowers, cards, and romantic dinners often come to mind. Yet behind the celebration stands a brave Christian martyr whose life speaks of a love far deeper than sentiment — a love rooted in Christ.  A Priest in a Time of Persecution Saint Valentine lived in the third century during the reign of the Roman Emperor Claudius II. Christianity was not yet tolerated, and believers often faced imprisonment or death. According to tradition, Valentine was a priest (and possibly a bishop) who served the faithful in secret. When Emperor Claudius supposedly forbade young men from marrying — believing single men made better soldiers — Valentine defied the order and continued to celebrate Christian marriages in secret. His actions were not romantic rebellion; they were acts of faith. He believed in the sacredness of marriage and the dignity of love. Reflection: True love is courageous. It stands f...

  What Are We Feeding On? R eadings: First Reading - 1 Kings 12:26–32; 13:33–34 Responsorial Psalm - Psalm 106:6–7. 19–22 Alleluia - Matthew 4:4 Gospel Reading - Mark 8:1–10 Today’s readings invite us to reflect on a deep spiritual question: What truly sustains us? When Fear Replaces Faith In 1 Kings 12 , King Jeroboam allows fear to guide his leadership. Afraid that the people might return to Jerusalem and shift their loyalty, he creates golden calves and establishes alternative places of worship. His decision was not rooted in obedience but in insecurity. He did not trust that God—who had given him authority—would sustain him. Instead of leading people toward faithful worship, he redirected them toward convenience and compromise. Chapter 13 reminds us that he did not turn away from this sin. Persistent disobedience hardened his heart and led to downfall. Fear, when not surrendered to God, can distort our decisions. Forgetting What God Has Done Psalm 106 echoes this ...

  Opening Our Hearts to God’s Voice Readings: First Reading -  1 Kings 11:29–32; 12:19 Responsorial Psalm - Psalm 81:10–15 Alleluia - Acts 16:14 Gospel Reading - Mark 7:31–37 Today’s readings revolve around one central message: God is always speaking, but the blessing depends on whether our hearts are open to listen. The Consequence of Closed Hearts In 1 Kings , we witness the painful division of Israel. Because Solomon turned away from God, the kingdom began to break apart. The prophet Ahijah symbolically tears his garment into twelve pieces, showing how the kingdom would be divided. By the time we reach 1 Kings 12:19 , the division becomes reality. The once united kingdom of Israel is split. This division reminds us that when we drift from God, disunity follows—not just in nations, but also in families, relationships, and even within our own hearts. Psalm 81 reveals God’s deep sorrow over His people’s stubbornness: “My people did not listen to my voice… If only ...

  A Divided Heart or a Humble Faith? Readings: First Reading  - 1 Kings 11:4–13 Responsorial Psalm -- Psalm 106:3–4. 35–37. 40 Alleluia  - James 1:21 Gospel Reading   - Mark 7:24–30 Today’s readings place before us a powerful contrast: a king with a divided heart and a foreign woman with unwavering faith. Through their stories, we are invited to examine our own hearts. When the Heart Drifts In 1 Kings 11 , we see the tragic turning point of Solomon’s life. The man who once asked God for wisdom slowly allows his heart to be led astray. Influenced by foreign alliances and attachments, he begins to worship other gods. Scripture says plainly: “His heart was not wholly true to the Lord his God.” This is sobering. Solomon did not reject God overnight. His fall began gradually—with compromises, divided loyalties, and subtle shifts in devotion. Psalm 106 echoes this warning. The people “mingled with the nations and learned to do as they did.” They adopted prac...

  Our Lady of Lourdes — A Call to Trust, Conversion, and Healing The story of Our Lady of Lourdes is a gentle yet powerful reminder that God chooses the humble to reveal His glory. Through a poor, simple young girl, the Blessed Virgin Mary delivered a message that continues to echo across generations: a call to prayer, repentance, and trust in God’s mercy. A Humble Beginning In 1858 , in the small town of Lourdes, France , the Virgin Mary appeared to Saint Bernadette Soubirous , a poor and sickly 14-year-old girl. Bernadette was uneducated and overlooked by society, yet she was chosen by heaven. Mary did not appear in splendor, but with gentleness and simplicity, teaching us that God’s grace often comes quietly. Reflection: God looks not at status or strength, but at the humility of the heart. “I Am the Immaculate Conception” During one of the apparitions, Mary revealed her identity as the Immaculate Conception , affirming a truth the Church had recently proclaimed. Bernade...

  True Wisdom Shines From Within Readings: First Reading - 1 Kings 10:1–10 Responsorial Psalm - Psalm 37:5–6. 30–31. 39–40 Alleluia -  John 17:17 Gospel Reading  - Mark 7:14–23 Today’s readings draw our attention to the source of true wisdom and holiness. They gently remind us that what truly defines a person is not outward appearance or ritual observance, but the state of the heart shaped by God’s truth. Wisdom That Attracts the World In 1 Kings 10 , the Queen of Sheba travels a great distance to encounter Solomon. She comes with questions, seeking understanding, and she leaves astonished. Solomon’s wisdom, prosperity, and order are undeniable—but the queen recognizes something deeper. She praises the Lord who gave Solomon such wisdom. True wisdom always points beyond itself to God. When a life is rooted in God’s truth, it becomes a quiet testimony that draws others closer, just as Solomon’s life drew the Queen of Sheba. Trusting God’s Way Psalm 37 encourages ...

  Saint Scholastica — Love Stronger Than Rules The life of Saint Scholastica , virgin, gently reminds us that at the heart of Christian life is not rigid observance, but love—love for God and love that flows freely from a heart rooted in prayer. Though she lived a hidden life, her holiness continues to speak powerfully to the Church today. A Life Rooted in God Saint Scholastica was born around 480 AD in Italy and is known as the twin sister of Saint Benedict of Nursia , the father of Western monasticism. From an early age, Scholastica dedicated her life entirely to God, embracing a vocation of prayer, silence, and deep communion with Him. While her brother shaped monastic life through structure and discipline, Scholastica revealed its soul: loving surrender to God. Reflection: True holiness flows from a heart fully given to God. The Power of Prayer and Love One of the most beloved stories of Saint Scholastica tells of her final meeting with Saint Benedict. As they spoke of ...

  Hearts That Truly Dwell With God: Beyond Words and Rituals Readings: First Reading - 1 Kings 8:22–23. 27–30 Responsorial Psalm - Psalm 84:3–5. 10–11 Alleluia - Psalm 119:36a, 29b Gospel Reading - Mark 7:1–13 Today’s readings invite us to look honestly at our relationship with God—not just at what we say or do outwardly, but at where our hearts truly rest. A God Who Cannot Be Contained In 1 Kings 8 , Solomon stands before the altar and prays a profound prayer of humility. Though he has just completed the magnificent Temple, he acknowledges a deep truth: “Will God really dwell on earth? The heavens cannot contain You, much less this house I have built.” Solomon understands that buildings, rituals, and sacrifices—even sacred ones—are never enough on their own. What God desires most is a listening heart. Solomon asks that God hear the prayers offered toward this place, not because the Temple limits God, but because it becomes a meeting point between heaven and earth. Where ...

  The God Who Dwells Among His People Readings: First Reading - 1 Kings 8:1–7. 9–13 Responsorial Psalm - Psalm 132:6–7. 8–10 Alleluia - Matthew 4:23 Gospel Reading -  Mark 6:53–56 Today’s readings reveal a beautiful and consoling truth: God desires to dwell with His people . From the glory filling the Temple to Jesus healing the sick by His mere presence, Scripture shows us a God who is not distant, but deeply near. The Glory That Filled the Temple In 1 Kings 8 , Solomon gathers the elders and brings the Ark of the Covenant into the Temple. As the priests place the Ark in the sanctuary, a cloud fills the house of the Lord—so powerful that they cannot continue their ministry. This cloud is a sign of God’s glory, His living presence among His people. Solomon declares with awe that the Lord has chosen to dwell in thick darkness—not to hide from His people, but to make known that He is truly there. The Ark contained the tablets of the Law, reminding Israel that God’s pre...

 Saint Josephine Bakhita — From Chains to Freedom in Christ The life of Saint Josephine Bakhita is a profound testimony to the healing power of God’s love. Her journey from slavery to sainthood reveals a faith that transforms suffering into forgiveness and pain into peace. Through her gentle spirit and unwavering trust in God, Bakhita shows us that true freedom is found not in circumstances, but in belonging to God. A Childhood Marked by Suffering Saint Josephine Bakhita was born around 1869 in Darfur, Sudan. As a young girl, she was kidnapped by slave traders and sold multiple times. She endured years of cruelty, abuse, and humiliation—so traumatic that she even forgot her birth name. The name Bakhita, meaning “the fortunate one,” was given to her by her captors. Yet in the midst of suffering, God was quietly preparing her heart. Reflection: God’s grace can reach us even in the darkest places. Discovering the God Who Loves Bakhita was eventually brought to Italy, where she encount...