AS YOU JOURNEY TO LIFE & LOVE…
(TO PHILLIP GLENN & MARY ROSE CECILLE)
(Erico Joseph T. Canete)
PHILOSOPHERS CLAIMED that it’s hard to comprehend love? What is its extent? What does “I Love You” mean? Does it mean that the self of the lover is absent because what exists now is the “YOU” or the “I” of the beloved? Is love a total annihilation of the self that there’s no more clash of the “I” but a union of the “YOU”? Indeed, a mystery.
Taking into consideration the comprehension of the metaphysical reality of love, let’s descend our intelligibility of it in the context of something concrete and pragmatic.
Allow me to write and share my personal reflection based on the five nuggets of wisdom of Fr. Ruben Villote’s article, “Growing in Love” (not the exact title) that he wrote in the 1980s. He claimed that growing is the key to unlock the bounty of eternal love.
Phillip Glenn and Mary Rose Cecille, ponder and wonder this reflection!
Your individuality still exists despite of your concord. You did not lose your individuality. You still carry your uniqueness. Respect each other’s differences because your polarity is a way for you to realize that you still have so much to share. Develop each of your skill, capacity, potential, talent, among others. You need these in your process of becoming. Become to be what you ought to be. Grow!
As your individual self grows, don’t leave one behind. You must grow together. Hold each other’s hand. Reach out if one falls. Don’t let failure overtake and destroy you. It’s slaughter house is not your destiny. That very moment you said “I love you” to each other, was the moment that your “I” is gone. Love is an annihilation of the “I” for what exists in love is the “You.” This prevents a clash of the “I” as the “YOU” unify. Grow together!
In our Filipino culture, we just don’t marry the bride or the groom. We marry the entire family, clan, circle of friends or even the whole neighborhood. Funny, but true! This means that as you grow more financially and spiritually in your married life, share your blessings to others. Let everyone grow together with you through your generosity. Be kind and be generous especially to your parents in their old age. Grow together with others!
You are now God’s auxiliary of His handiwork of creation. You have a noble task to procreate, educate and bring the souls of your children back to Him someday. This is a necessity on top of your obligation providing the basic needs of your children. This, in a way, is your role; Grow together for a purpose bigger than your own small and limited worlds.
All your efforts are futile if you don’t grow together in God. Make Him the center of your married life. Love is not just a gift from God but above all a gratuitous gift. Meaning, God provides you all the opportunities and circumstances to strengthen it. Make devotions to strengthen your will. Lift your intellect in prayer. Offer sacrifices and devotions. Use your tongue to praise God. Spend time with others in prayer as you adore Him. This is the lesson in the wedding at Cana. Grow together in God.
Phillip Glenn and Mary Rose Cecille, make your love grow. Married life is challenging but it does not mean it’s not beautiful. It is beautiful because you’ve made a choice to have each other face the challenges of human existence.
Journey to life and love!
Congratulations, Good luck, and God bless you both!