That's a thousand miles away from the Philippines, my home country and home to millions of the Catholic faithful. Despite the distance, I feel a deep connection to the faith symbolized by the Sacred Heart of Jesus, a figure we have in our hometown. This connection is not just geographical but intensely personal, rooted in my upbringing and the values my family and community instilled in me.
The uphill road to the summit may be rough, but it offers a breathtaking panoramic view of Roxas City in the Western Visayas region. On the top of the mountain is the 132 ft statue of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, constructed at the beginning of the decade in 2010 and finished in 2015.
Since then, the statue visible on the lowland highway of the newly constructed business district has become a famous pilgrimage site and is considered the tallest statue of Christ in the Philippines.
While I haven't had the opportunity to visit the summit and see the statue up close since it was opened to the public, I often find myself gazing at it from a distance. I yearn to understand its significance and to appreciate the sanctity of the place atop the mountain.
At last! The beginning of the decade 2020 in January marked a significant moment in my life. I finally saw the Sacred Heart of Jesus statue, and the feeling was indescribable. The anticipation, the journey to the summit, and the first glimpse of the statue were filled with a sense of awe and reverence. Sharing this experience with my parents in February was a soulful journey and the best way to celebrate the month of love.
The statue's physical structure is not just a symbol of our faith but a testament to the Christ who watches over us and protects us. It is a powerful reminder of His love and care, especially in times when we feel abandoned. The Sacred Heart of Jesus embraces and loves us for who we are, and I hold this belief with the utmost reverence. For me, the Sacred Heart of Jesus is a religious symbol and a source of comfort and strength in my daily life.
The Sacred Heart of Jesus is a constant reminder of the inherent sanctity of our hearts, no matter how tarnished they may have become. It inspires us to strive for goodness and to let our sacred hearts guide us in touching the lives of others, just as the Sacred Heart of Jesus does. It is the way, the truth, and the life.
© 2020 Del Cusay
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