Living a Christ-like life

Excerpt from the Homily of Most Rev. Romulo Valles, D.D., Archbishop of Davao during the 57th Parochial Fiesta in St. James the Apostle Parish, Bunawan, Davao City.

The mother of James, and his brother John, had a legit request. She called Jesus to remember his sons once Jesus returns to the heaven. Such desire for his sons is not wrong.

But Jesus answered, “Do you understand what your request is?” If we translate in our language, it implies, “Will you be able to pay for what are you asking?”

It is wonderful to be side by side with the Lord, but he said, “it is expensive.” It would cost you to live like Christ. That is the biggest challenge. A simple one but as complex as well.

The life of James, in the introduction, became like that of Christ.

By the way, the Apostles came from a Greek word that means “sent.” They are sent to be other Christ so that other people may know Christ by seeing how the Apostles live their life.

It is very simple. But the Lord asks, will we be able to pay for it? Will you be able to emulate the Life of the Messiah?

James, our patron, went and became a witness and an inspiration for the life of Jesus Christ.

This is our challenge now. It is without a doubt that we are just like John and James who long to be with Christ.

I am hoping that in this fiesta, we will be reminded once again on the question whether we can afford the cost or pay the price of being close to Him.

A song says “the gifts are Christified”. Another song suggests “we become what we eat”.

Therefore, as we say “Viva Sr. Santiago!”, we become like him. We desire to sit at His right and at His left.

In this mass, in the earthen vessels, we will take His body and blood. And slowly, every occasion that we hear Jesus and we have His body and blood, we are Christified.