"TRUTH IN ADVERTISING"
Advertising is everywhere.
Labels on different products we buy.
Commercials on TV.
Billboards along the roads.
Pop up ads on our cellphones and computers.
Today's article is not about advertising.
It's about "truth in advertising",
According to PROMISE NO. 11:
It's about "truth in advertising",
According to PROMISE NO. 11:
"THOSE WHO
SHALL PROMOTE THIS DEVOTION SHALL HAVE THEIR NAMES WRITTEN IN MY HEART."
What better "Truth"
to advertise than the Truth of all
truths? The Sacred Heart devotion is nothing but God's love. This is basic
to our faith. We are all created to share this basic truth of His Love to all.
God's love is the Good News we are all called to share.
Promoting the spirituality to the Sacred Heart (Pope
Benedict XVI would rather call it "spirituality" than devotion) is
like every advertiser's dream: to promote something that is real and sincere;
Something that fully benefits the recipient (the "consumers" of His
Divine Love); Something that does not promise false hopes and unwarranted
claims; And something that doesn't cost much in return - JUST LOVE.
The best part of it is the value it imparts by saying
" . . . (they) shall have their names written in my heart." In the midst
of the growing issue today about public officials putting their names (and
faces) on signages for government projects - more infamously known for the
recent Anti- Epal Bill - Jesus proclaims, "There
is nothing more important than having your name etched in my Heart." What is truly most essential is that He knows and acknowledges our efforts in
"the project" of promoting His Sacred Heart and spreading His love.
WHAT COULD BE MORE REWARDING THAN THAT?
In fact, by doing so, He even gifts us with bountiful
blessings - not just in one aspect, but in all areas of our lives.
Today let us reflect on how we can be the Lord's best
"advertisers of Truth". Let us promote His Sacred Heart in our homes,
in our communities, at work and in our country to become better human beings
worthy of His love, graces and merits.
On October 16, the Feast of St. Margaret Mary Alacoque,
we are inviting representatives of Sacred Heart parishes, congregations,
communities, schools and other promoters of the spirituality for our first
Sacred Heart conference. Please pray for this gathering that truly those
entrusted to spread this devotion may do it faithfully, lovingly and
passionately.
Let us continue to experience God's love as we join the
Holy Father in ushering in the Year of Faith and New Evangelization this
October. Let us also celebrate the canonization of Blessed Pedro Calungsod, who
passionately experienced and shared His love to the point of martyrdom.
As children of God, Christ's Heart beats in us and
invites us to follow Him. There is no better way than to spend our days making
all our Hearts like His.
Rev. Fr. Vic Y. Apacible
Parish Priest / Rector
