Do not forget the works of the Lord

(Excerpt from the Homily of Most Rev. Romulo G. Valles, D.D., during the 75th Fiesta and Founding Anniversary of Holy Cross of Davao College.)

Certainly, what is Holy Cross of Davao College? Work particularly work of the Lord, handiwork of the Lord which has been with us for the past, until today 75 years we do not forget the works of the Lord. We do not forget that HCDC is the work of the Lord. So, we are here today to proclaim that our faith in Him, the very center of what we call HCDC is the presence of the Lord. We have as a center of today’s celebration the Holy Eucharist.

Conversely, we said or the psalm said “Do not forget the works of the Lord”. The Mass is also called the great remembering, so that we will not forget. And if we make that singular the work of the Lord, the work of God, it is certainly in this Holy sacrificial Mass which also is the name of the college here in this Holy Eucharist, we have the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross in Calvary. And that sacrifice in God’s plan was not a failure, was not a defeat, that’s why we call it the exultation, the triumph of the Holy Cross because of his Resurrection.

So, indeed, we must not forget the works of the Lord, and the very name of this college would help us day after day to remember the very spirit which is the core of this college. Seventy-five years ago the PME fathers were represented by Fr. Pierre Samson. He is not new, maka-connect pa siya the very years that the PME fathers were here in Davao with Archbishop Clovis Thibault.

So, 75 years ago they, the PME fathers, thought of putting up the school and the very first years of this 75 were handled by the RVM sisters, but we count then from the beginning backup by the PME fathers, what we have today 75 years after our dear HCDC. But I’d like to note that on the personal note also that I am as old as HCDC, I’m 75 years also today, this day, this year and in 1976 July 10, the PME fathers handed over the school to the Archdiocese of Davao. But this are just preliminaries but what do we have today as we say “Do not forget the works of the Lord”. The things I’ll say are not new the priest would know about this. When we celebrate the Eucharist the very center of our Jubilation today, I know there are other activities today, joyful, meaningful but among those activities this is fundamental. This is necessary. If I put it roughly, we may do away with the others except this Mass. When we offer the Mass we try to offer, and praise and worship God. But for centuries man could offer on the tentative partial offerings. Offerings which could not equal the majesty, and might and power of the Lord. Mga goats, sheep, oxen, the best, fruits of the land the best, but still that could not equal unworthy to give the signal that we’re offering the best for the Lord. And according this gospel reading, “God so loved the world that he gave His only Son to us” and that Son became like us, and he is now our offering to the Lord.

Now, we have the most fitting offering, now with pride and joy, gift niya we are giving back to Him in the Lord. And that offering particular act happened on Calvary, on the cross. He loved us so much, that he gave His Son, to defeat our worst enemy, our perfect enemy shown in the tragedy of the cross. He loved us so much that He gave his Son to face death on the cross.

Now, again not to forget that particular work of salvation we have this Mass. We offer Jesus only one eternal offering not forgetting how much we’re loved by the Lord. I’d like to think my dear friends, that today 75 years too many struggles and sacrifices and also joys and victories. Now we offer Holy Cross of Davao College with the Lord, with sincerity and with healthy pride. Lord, here’s school community for the past 75 years we have molded people to be Christlike. That is what we are doing today. And in particular for the past 75 years not only today we have seen people carrying their cross as it were to keep this college. RVM sisters, PME missionaries, teachers, parents, faithful to Holy Cross, priests, sisters who really kept the memory of Jesus.