Be perfect like the father

Excerpt of the Homily of Most Rev. Romulo Valles, D.D., Archbishop of Davao during the 3rd year anniversary of DXGN 89.9 SpiritFM at the San Pablo Parish, Matina, Davao City.

From the Gospel of St. Matthew, he says, “Be perfect like the Father is perfect, you cannot enter the kingdom of heaven unless you become like the Father.”

It is somewhat stern and demanding. But, you know, as I was reading this text early in the morning, allow me in my interpretation: if you are a good father and a good mother, despite poverty, you will take care of your child. Not because you are stern nor demanding but because you would like your child to become perfect, to be good, to be loved.

And that is what the Father is saying in this Gospel. Jesus is telling us to be perfect, to be nice, to be like our Creator, to be like that One who has loved us not because we deserve it but simply because we are His sons and daughters.

The Father would love that we become like Him.

Another constant message of DXGN FM is that if we fail, and surely we will fail, it is because the demands of being perfect is difficult. Oh, it’s a lifelong journey, that is why, the same Lord that challenges us to become like the Father is the same Lord of Mercy and Compassion.

Be perfect, but if you fail, there is mercy and compassion day after day after day, until we enter the Kingdom of the Lord.

My dear friends, my brothers and sisters in the Lord, we thank Him for the gift of faith that the Pope pointed out to us and I am bringing that news to you.

You know, when you are far from your Archdiocese, you are given the chance to think.

When we were in the tomb of St. Peter, I was the presider of the mass. Then, I said, Peter also failed many times, oh, he was not a perfect person, he denied Jesus three times. There, I thought that the people of the Archdiocese might be happy I am not there because I am sinful.

At the tomb of St. Peter, I felt that I have failed so many times, but, like in the plane yesterday, someone approached me and recognized me with such love and kindness.

Also, when I came back from the wake of a nun who was involved in a vehicular accident, I had a dinner in a certain Japanese restaurant. Then, somebody paid for my noodles. I didn’t know him but I felt so much kindness and generosity even in the frailties and limitations that I have.

Back to what Pope Francis said, “Your people in the Philippines are great people with faith in the Lord and in the Church.”