His heart

I was one of the first who saw the heart relic of St. Padre Pio as it was brought to the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral last Thursday. Being in a swarm of people, I was swept away from where I was standing. I tried to move past the many people who were raising their hands in praise of the holy relic. I stood there, frozen, not really sure of what to do but was, at the same time, in awe. How could a human heart remain incorrupt after 50 years or so? It was surely an amazing thing.

As the devotees offered their prayers and thanks to the heart, I couldn't help but look back at the life that Padre Pio had when he was on earth. He was said to be compassionate and kind. He bore the stigmata or the five wounds of Jesus Christ which gave off the sanctity of odor. Reading articles about him made me imagine what kind of a soft-spoken person he was, and that he was ready to give it all for the ministry he served.

Yet the contrary was observed otherwise when the relic arrived. In that exact sea of people were individuals who were irate and complaining about the long line, heat and the duration that they had to endure just to see the relic. Of course, they had to line up, or else there wouldn't be any order. I just observed them and I heard a lot of curse words plus hurtful bickering thrown at the marshalls who were only taking orders from the archdiocese.

Remember the song of Dong Abay, Banal na aso, Santong Kabayo? Well, it couldn't be any truer even up to today. While we know how sacred the heart is, our own hearts couldn't even live up to what we say we believe in. What hypocrites have we become? No entitlement is given to any of us even when we were born.

While we stay on the topic of being authentic, we shift to the election season where the certificates of candidacy are being filed as we speak. It is a different aura for those who have intentions to run for a position. There seems to be a sense of wanting for attention, goodwill and a build-up of a perfect character so the public will like them. Until today, we have never learned. Politicians remain to be good actors and actresses hiding their true selves in front of the media or the public. We do not see what their heart truly desires. It might be deceitful and of evil.

This is the time that we sift out the people that we want around us or to be in position. If we are diligent enough to follow the footsteps of Padre Pio, then our intentions remain to be pure. Yet, if this is all for show, then there is no genuine affection in all this after all.