LOVE is in the air as we celebrate our romantic expression of love on Valentine’s Day. Roses, chocolates, champagne, dinner dates, walks by the beach, stargazing together. All the “kilig” moments lovers shared together on this day of the hearts.
But Valentine’s Day isn’t just about having dreamy eyes and feeling your heart beat faster or that adrenaline rush when you are with the man or woman you desire, especially during the honeymoon phase of young love. Love, true love, goes beyond these.
We cannot profess true love unless we are willing to love radically. And this love goes beyond romantic love. This truth transcends all of our human relationships.
IT IS RADICAL TO LOVE. “Radikal ang magmahal.”
You must have heard that too from Vice President and now presidential candidate Leni Robredo.
Robredo urged us all to remember and to remind others about the TRUTH — that we Filipinos are not each other’s enemies, and that we are all in the same journey. We have the same dreams. And there is only one way for all of us Filipinos to realize our collective aspiration: decent, humane and loving governance.
“Ipaalala ang katotohanan: Hindi natin kalaban ang ating kapwa. Iisa ang pinagdadaanan natin. Iisa ang mga pangarap natin. At iisa ang landas tungo rito: matino, makatao, at mapagmahal na pamamahala.”
Leni challenged her supporters that in this very toxic political climate, it is time to begin the healing process. Be the first one to reach out to those we have differences with because of our political convictions, and to share our stance calmly, with respect and humility.
“Panahon na. Tayo na ang magsimula. Lumapit sa mga nakaalitan. Kung may makita sa social media na hindi naaayon sa mga pinaniniwalaan natin, magpaliwanag nang mahinahon at may respeto. Magpakumbaba.”
Robredo added: “Ask how they are doing. Talk to them. Heal our wounds. Let us open the path to love.”
“Mangumusta. Makipag-usap. Hilumin ang mga sugat. Buksan muli ang landas ng pagmamahal.”
Leni acknowledged that this is not going to be easy, but pointed out that this is exactly what we mean when we say it is radical to love. We will choose what is right, we go out of our comfort zone and how we used to do things. This is the true spirit of our fight.
“Hindi ito magiging madali, pero ito mismo ang ibig sabihin kapag sinabi nating radikal ang magmahal. Pipiliin natin ang tama; lalabas tayo sa nakasanayan. Ito mismo ang diwa ng paglaban.”
Merriam Webster Dictionary says the essential meaning of the word – Radical: Very new and different from what is traditional or ordinary.”
So what is radical love? The truth is, it is easy to love those who love us, those who agree with us, those who are nice to us. But is that all there is to love? These are all self-seeking and the needs of the self are insatiable. Will this kind of love bring the healing, peace, and transformation we all wish and pray for?
Aren’t we all being called to give radical love – going above and beyond our own selfish needs for the greater good?
I am reminded of the famous words of civil rights activist Dr. Martin Luther King: “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”
That is radical love.
The Peace Prayer of St. Francis says:
“Lord, make me an instrument of your peace:
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy.
O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console,
to be understood as to understand,
to be loved as to love
For it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
Amen.”
That is radical love.
And then there is 1Corinthians 13 verses 4-7 in the Bible that says: “Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.”
That is radical love.
This Valentine’s Day, may we reflect on how radical love can bring healing, peace and transformation in our own selves, in our marriage, in our family, in the workplace, in the community, in our country, in our world.
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The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.
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Gel Santos Relos has been in news, talk, public service and educational broadcasting since 1989 with ABS-CBN and is now serving the Filipino audience using different platforms, including digital broadcasting, and print, and is working on a new public service program for the community. You may contact her through email at [email protected], or send her a message via Facebook at Facebook.com/Gel.Santos.Relos.
