Smell like Sheep

(Excerpt from the homily of Abp. Romulo G. Valles on the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord and World Day of Consecrated Life, February 2, 2019 @ San Pedro Cathedral)

How do you and with you, we be, in the presence of lay faithful, become special candles in today’s world, in today’s situation? This thought, coming from the second reading from the letter to the Hebrews. He (referring to Jesus Christ) had to become like his brothers and sisters in every way that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest before God to his people.

To become like his brothers and sisters–identification, solidarity, or the now very often used phrase “smelling like sheep”. The challenge to become light to our people is first to be refined like silver and gold, to become an effective candle to the people, to smell like sheep.

Sa balay, Archbishop residence, many times but not always, there are people waiting at the gate. Usahay mga tulo ka lalake, duha ka babae, naay mga bata. And they wait because it has begun before I came. Batasan na, they beg for food. Unya ready na ang balay pod ang mga bata mudagan sila. Unya ready na na kay naa nay pagkaon for them tagaan sila. Buotan kaayo mi sa balay.

But reflecting on this reading, I do not think that I have become light to them or smell like them. Kay kanang muagi ko naa man na sila I’m comforted kay gitagaan sila ug pagkaon, but I think only three times ko ning abri ko sa pultahan and nag-bye ko sa ila. Bisan bye na lang wala pa. To become like his brothers and sisters so that we become truly merciful and compassionate, again that deep and very challenging thing about becoming light is to smell like the sheep.

Thinking of this ako ang una, ka layo ra intawon. Flickering light lang intawon ko. That is the demand I think, that is the example, the thought na to be effective, to shine brightly even in darkness is to be familiar. To be in solidarity with our people.