Here I Am Lord, I Come To Do Your Will

(An excerpt from the homily of Most Rev. Romulo G. Valles, D.D. during the Eucharistic Celebration with the Perpetual Profession of Sr. Ma. Charlyn M. Mamotho, TDM at the Our Lady of Sorrows Chapel, Teresian Daughters of Mary, Km. 3 McArthur Highway, Matina, Davao City on July 16, 2022.)

Three thoughts for this beautiful occasion coming from the liturgy of today.

First thought. “May the venerable intercession of the glorious Virgin Mary, come to our aid [that divine premise] we pray oh lord so that fortified by her protection, we, may reach the mountain which is Christ.” [pay attention to the Collect, it is so rich] Climb to the mountain who is Christ.

To be fortified in our faith, today we are told by the church, our blessed Mother will be there with you to aid, to help you be fortified in your faith to be strengthened to be strong in your faith. Like Elijah, be fortified in your faith. The single Elijah with his fortified faith, strong faith, he prayed to God and God answered Elijah. Dugay naghulat si Elijah, until the 7th time [he prayed]. How strong is our faith? Faithful in His service, faithful to live a life going to that mountain who is Christ.

Sr. Ma. Charlyn Mamotho, TDM

Second thought. In the offertory prayer which is yet coming for this feast. “Lord we reverently offer You these gifts in memory of the Our Lady of Mt. Carmel. In your service, may our love become like hers.” As you offer yourself to God a very challenging and nice line here from the liturgy of today, may your love become like the love of Mary the one who gave the beautiful fiat. May your life become like hers.… “and so unite us more closely with the work of redemption.” When we love like Mary, we don’t only do that so we would be saved. Therefore, in your humble self, in your contribution, having your love become like hers, you participate even how small, one fabric as it were in the work of redemption. The Lord in His mysterious ways, in His love allow us to be participants in the work of redemption, in our limited hearts, impure motivations, in our mixed ambitions. Paningkamot sa imong LOVE, and I (God) will allow you to participate in the work of redemption.

Final Thought. Perpetual Vows, “yes Lord here I am to do Your will”, doing works. But you see in the gospel reading we can easily fall into the trap that that challenge is among ourselves, that challenge revolves in our community. When you say “yes Lord I come to do your will”, keep in mind the challenge of the gospel. Even I am tempted to articulate this love, this fortified faith in my circle, among priests, among religious, among lay leaders, ato-ato lang. Ingon ni Jesus, whoever does the will of My Father meaning articulating love to everyone, he or she becomes my brother or my sister, my family. You will be challenged to show that kind of faith, that kind of love in a wider boundary as it where because it is not just our love but it is truly the love of Christ.