Homily of Archbishop Gaudencio Rosales, Archbishop of Manila during the Holy Mass for His Eminence Jaime Cardinal Sin, Archbishop Emeritus of Manila on June 21, 2005 at the Manila Cathedral at 9:00 a.m.

Your Excellency Corazon Aquino, former President of the Philippines,
Your Excellency Bishop Gabriel Reyes of the Diocese of Antipolo,
Your Excellency Bishop Socrates Villegas, Bishop of the Diocese of Balanga,
Your Excellency Bishop Bernardino Cortez, Auxiliary Bishop of Manila,
His Excellency Howard Dee, former Ambassador of the Republic of the Philippines to the Vatican,
Your Excellency, Henrietta de Villa, also former Ambassador of the Republic of the Philippines to the Vatican,
Monsignori, Reverend Father Priests, Sisters, Friends,
All beloved in Christ,

This noon we are gathered in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception to celebrate the Eucharist in a different mode and spirit. This cathedral, which has been so familiar to the man whose spirit we can never grasp, but whose spirit remains with us through mortal reminders of his life – Jaime Cardinal Sin.

Today is so different for the many times he had entered this cathedral before – joyful, happy, hopeful. This afternoon, we welcome him again, but with heavy hearts. Each and every one of us who has come to this cathedral because it had once been a part of us, as he had once been a part of us.

For the 30 years that His Eminence Jaime Cardinal Sin served the Archdiocese of Manila, he was full of energy, hope and exuberance. But for sure there were also moments of pain and disappointment in his life. With him in our midst now, in this same Cathedral where we had always gathered before but under different circumstances, we are filled with memories as we begin our pilgrimage of sorrow and prayer for him.

When a man is young, we tend to measure him the same way we would measure a tree – by its usefulness. And a tree is said to be useful if it bears much fruit, if it yields much harvest.

But trees do grow old, and they cease to bear fruit. They shoot up into the sky but they no longer yield anything for the harvest. How then does one measure the greatness of such a tree? At this point, one no longer measures a tree by its roots, nor by its fruits – but by the shadow it casts against the landscape.

Brothers and sisters, at this moment this is our brother, Jaime Cardinal Sin.

Shadows are longest when they are cast on the landscape towards the east. That means the sun is slowly falling into the horizon in the west.

Brothers and sisters, today we look back to the east and see the shadow cast by this man. On the religious culture and on the political landscape – even beyond his native land.

We were with him last night with Bishop Soc Villegas. We were with him, but I did not know that those would be the last moments, the last hours I would be spending with him. Bishop Soc said, “He is still conscious,” and so I suggested that he speak to him. “Archbishop Dency is here,” Bishop Soc said, but there was no reaction. I held his left foot and he reacted. I asked Bishop Soc if he had been administered the Sacrament of the Sick, and he said yes. So before I left, I gave His Eminence Jaime Cardinal Sin my blessing, my goodbye blessing. I did not know that it was really “goodbye” because we were hoping that he was going to get better.

Now he is here with us for the last time. And as we look back on and cherish the memories he left with us, we see the length of the shadow he has cast over the Philippine landscape. Beneath that shadow, that shade, some sought shelter and comfort, recovered hope, rested and regained energy and effort. But of course, there were others who never recovered.

Jaime Cardinal Sin has given us that last vision of his presence as pastor and shepherd of the Archdiocese of Manila. And what remains with us are not just his accomplishments, the symbols of his past presence. What remains with us is today is the task to continue the spirit that he had released and unleashed in this country, in this part of the world. To continue where he left off. With the same vision, perhaps, but with newer vigor. For his Eminence had expanded the horizon, taking it from Jesus Christ, but reminding us that more is expected from the Filipino Christian. More is expected from those who belong to the Church.

Jesus Christ has assured us, “We will give you the fullness of life to expand it.” And so our task is to continue on where he has left off. Let us continue where he ended up.

Your Eminence, where you are now, you are in the better position to understand what we are longing for as Christians, as citizens of this country. Your Eminence, bless us from were you are. Encourage us from where you are now resting. And please whisper, your Eminence, to the Father in Jesus, your beloved brother, our beloved brother in pastoral love… with the power of the Spirit, please whisper to God: we want to have Him and we truly love Him. May you rest in peace, your Eminence. God bless you.

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.