Despite being a thousand miles away from the Philippines, my home country, and the millions of Catholic faithful it houses, I feel an intimate connection to the faith symbolized by the Sacred Heart of Jesus. 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.
Finally, in January 2020, a significant moment in my life arrived. I could see the Sacred Heart of Jesus statue, and the experience was beyond words. The anticipation, the journey to the summit, and the first sight of the statue were all filled with a profound sense of awe and reverence. Sharing this experience with my parents in February was a soulful journey and a fitting way to celebrate the month of love.
The physical structure of the statue is not just a symbol of our faith but a testament to the Christ who watches over and protects us. It is a powerful reminder of His love and care, especially when feeling abandoned. I firmly believe that the Sacred Heart of Jesus embraces and loves us for who we are, and I hold this belief with the utmost reverence. 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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