'Love is something you do'

Those who have heard the Sunday homilies of Fr. Dave Concepcion, chaplain of Sto. Nino de Paz-Greenbelt Chapel, either in person or online, always have a substantial takeaway. His words are food for thought.

- BUM D. TENORIO, JR.

Those who have heard the Sunday homilies of Fr. Dave Concepcion, chaplain of Sto. Nino de Paz-Greenbelt Chapel, either in person or online, always have a substantial takeaway. His words are food for thought. His thoughts are simple yet liberating. The priest always has the capacity to touch the heart, even softens it. His words fortify the delicate soul. His is a steady, solemn voice that strengthens the weakening spirit. His words are fodder for the faithful's own reflection.

A few Sundays ago, he said in the pulpit: "Love is something we do."

I agree, love is action. Love requires movement because it is a conscious effort to display emotion and affection through action. It is not merely a feeling—though feelings are part and parcel of the experience of love—because the pillars of love are the deliberate actions of the human being.

Love is intentional work. More than words, it is an action that defines commitment.

"We can love people in many ways. You can love people by serving them—by taking care of their needs. You can love by helping them," Fr. Dave said.

Methinks intimacy and trust are developed because there is an intention from the parties involved to harness them. Love comes in many languages—service is one. Quality time and physical touch forge a bond between lovers, between friends, between a couple. Trust is also a love language. To trust someone is to let him/her take custody of your strength and vulnerability. When it is broken, everything collapses—including intimacy. Repair is a process; it takes time. And like love, you can't hurry healing. (But don't take my word for it for I am not God, the one and only Supreme Being capable of mending things in a jiffy.)