(This homily was delivered on January 20, 2007, during the wedding of Ed and Delle, at Christ the King Parish, Greenmeadows Ave., Quezon City. Bishop Raul Martirez was the main celebrant.)
Magandang umaga po. Many authors say that the most magical thing in this world is love.
Do you believe in magic? Do you believe in the magic of love?
Marami sa atin dito alam ang kuwento ni Ed at ni Del. Magkapitbahay sa Project 4. Magkababata. May mga pagtatangkang panliligaw pero walang nangyari. Si Ed nagpunta sa America. Si Del nanatili dito sa Pilipinas pero nung 2004 nagpunta sa London. May kanya-kanya ng buhay. Subalit matapos magkalayo ng matagal; matapos ang mahabang panahon ng hindi pagkikita, walang pag-uusap; Nagtagpo muli. Nabuhay ang marahil ay dati nang nandung pagmamahalan. At ngayon sa ating harapan, pinag-isa ng pag-ibig. Puedeng pang Maalaala Mo Kaya.
The love that has gathered us together today is a love that has transcended several decades of waiting and searching; a love that has crossed the continents of Asia, North America and Europe. If this is not the magic of love, I don’t know what to call it.
Kuya Ed and Ate Del, you are lucky for not all love began with magic. The wonder of this beautiful wedding day is a testament to the magic of your love. The presence of all these people who share your joy today is a proof of that magic. But do not be deceived by the magic of love; do not give in to the temptation of believing that all of love is magic. No, I assure you, the magic will not last. The magic of love will fade, but it is the mystery of love that will remain. More than the magic of love what is important is the mystery of love.
Bakit misteryo ang pag-ibig? Tatlong bagay po.
Una, ang pag-ibig ay walang katapusang pagtuklas sa minamahal. Kuya Ed at Ate Del, gaano man ninyo kakilala ang isa’t isa ngayon, hindi pa rin lubos ang pagkakakilala. Laging may bagong malalaman. Laging may bagong matutuklasan. Laging may sorpresa sa ugali, sa pagkatao, at sa buhay ng minamahal. Kaya sa pag-aasawa kailangang maging bukas sa isa’t isa.
Be open to the surprises of married life. You cannot fully rely on what you know of each other at present. More of the mystery of one another will be revealed as you go on with your married life. Kuya Ed and Ate Del, be open to one another.
Ikalawa, ang pag-ibig ay tumitibay habang tumatagal. Kuya Ed at Ate Del, gaano man katibay at kalakas ang inyong pagmamahal sa isa’t isa, ito ay laging susubukin. Mamaya tatanungin kayo ni Bp. Raul kung bukal sa inyong loob ang pagtanggap ninyo sa isa’t isa bilang mag-asawa. At alam kong walang pag-aalinlangan kayong sasagot ng OO. Pero ang OOng yan ay susubukin. Hindi isang beses. Hindi dalawang beses. Hindi paminsan-minsan. Kundi araw-araw. Pag nagbago na ng ugali; pag may mga nakialam na; pag nagkaproblema na sa pera, OO pa rin ba ang sagot sa isa’t isa?
The “Yes” that you will promise to each other today has to be renewed everyday. Kuya Ed and Ate Del, you have to say “Yes” to one another everyday.
Ikatlo, ang pag-ibig ay biyaya ng Diyos. Kuya Ed at Ate Del, dahil sa inyong pag-ibig kaya tayo nandito pero tandaan ninyo na gaano man ninyo kamahal ang isa’t isa kung ang pagmamahal ninyo ay galing lamang sa inyo, hindi ito tatagal hanggang wakas. Kailangan ang pagmamahalan ay galing sa pag-ibig ng Diyos. Kaya kailangang may mahalagang puwang ang Diyos sa inyong pagsasama.
Merely human love cannot last a lifetime. Human love is too fickle minded. Human love has too many conditions. Human love brings on so many things and changes, highs and lows, things sweet and bitter, the good, the bad and the ugly, failures and disappointments, along with joys and happiness. Merely human love is not enough to last a lifetime. Human love has to turn to God for strength and support for it to last a lifetime. Without God, Kuya Ed and Ate Del, your love lacks its origin and fulfillment.
Ito po ang misteryo ng pag-ibig: Magkakilala na pero marami pang dapat kilalanin. Tunay ang pangako ngayon, pero kailangan mangako araw-araw. Matibay na ang pagmamahal, pero kailangan ang pagmamahal na galing sa Diyos.
Kuya Ed and Ate Del, your story is truly a proof that the most magical thing in this world is love, for your love has conquered time – it has conquered several decades of waiting; your love has conquered space – it has traveled the distance of Asia, America, Europe and back to Asia. But more than the magic of your love, Kuya Ed and Ate Del, embrace the mystery of love. I pray that you will overcome the test of time, turning several decades of waiting into a lifetime of loving. I pray that you will travel not only the distance of the continents, but the challenging road of openness, fidelity and strong faith in God.
Mga kapatid, mga magulang, mga ninong at ninang, tayong lahat ay mga saksi sa pagmamahalan ni Ed at ni Del, ipagdasal po natin sila, tulungan po natin sila, at nawa’y sa pamamagitan natin lalung tumibay at lumalim ang kanilang pagsasama. Amen.
