Year 2001: In one quite disturbing but popular Pop Cola commercial because of very young talents used, a very young girl in her early teens while texting on her cellphone asked her lover: BAT MO KO LOVE? I would like to adapt the three responses of the young boy as my way of responding to God in my 22nd year. I also would like to see some application of this on the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart.//// 1. KASI ANG MGA MATA MO AY KASING NINGNING NG MGA BITUIN SA LANGIT: God’s eyes are so bright! He sees through me. God has been a very dependable lover. He has given so much and He has proven to me that he cannot be outdone in His generosity. He did not fail me, never. Just trust Him. He who has given the moon and the stars will never fail. He has loved me first, and I am only responding to love. Luma na ito: pero ito ang totoo! With his bright eyes, he looks at me: ever forgiving, ever-understanding. He is a very passionate lover…///// The heart is burning with fire in love. I remember what is written in one of my worn-out poster, “Those who want to shed light must endure burning!” I am always challenged to shed light amidst the burning. The burning is necessary. I cannot shed light if I will not shed myself. The fire consumes… only the light comes out for others to share upon. The self goes to allow the light to shine. The priest must always be on fire in love. His love must be passionate. May apoy, nagliliyab, nagaalab. While on fire, he must not loose heart. The fire must be a loving fire. ///// 2. YOU COMPLETE ME!: This is the celibacy component of the priesthood. It was said that celibacy is not a condition for the priesthood, it is the incarnation of the priesthood. It is where the priesthood is born and maybe known in flesh and blood. It is every priest’s declaration or proclamation that God is his enough, that God completes him. No other woman or anybody else could take his place. In the words of Teresa, Dios solo basta! Only God suffices . . . He is complete even in the hurt and in the pain of loving.///// The crown of thorns causes the heart to bleed. A bleeding heart continues to love. “Forgive them for they know not what they are doing.” The sacrifice component in loving makes loving more Christ-like. Sacrifice is the crown that renders love to be enduring and true. Sacrifice completes love. It is commonplace when we experience joy in mutual love. Christian love transcends this: “Love your enemies, do good to those who hurt you, pray for those who persecute you.” This love remains amidst blood-letting. It never gives up. It stays and shines… amidst the pain, the hurt: ///// “Kahit ilang tinik ay kaya kong tapakan, Kung ‘yan ang paraan upang landas mo’y masundan. Kahit ilang ulit ako’y iyong saktan… Hindi kita maaring iwanan!” ///// 3. KASI TAYONG DALAWA, ALWAYS TAMA ANG TIMPLA! It was only when the boy borrowed this from the rear of the Pop Cola delivery truck that the young girl accepted the boy’s satisfactory answer. 22 years of partnership, of teamwork, of finding the right mix. Sometimes, just right – sometimes malabnaw. As I look back God and I created many beautiful music together. The mix and remix of this beautiful music gives me inspiration to go on. The right mix is the spirituality of the diocesan priest. What ingredients will I need for the ministry? How can I be a simple reminder of Christ on earth? One ingredient that may not be taken away is the Cross.///// The cross hails on top of the heart. The heart carries the cross. This is discipleship. After denying and forgetting of self comes the daily cross-bearing. Our responsibilities as priests can never take a leave of absence. It is 24-hour service. As I look back, my heart became principled because of the crosses I have learned to carry. This is commitment. Priesthood becomes meaningful and truthful only in the cross. There is no other way that priesthood can find its meaning outside the cross. Because at the heart of the cross, priesthood finds its Master.///// There are 22 years because GOD, LOVE MO KO TALAGA! Sana lahat ng Love natin tulad ng sa Sacred Heart! Malapit sana tayo sa puso niya at sa puso ng isa’t-isa! ///// (Preparing a homily for the Sacred Heart I found this in my old files.. my 16th year homily but still holds true!)