The Greatest Gift of Love

When I was still with the choir, we were learning some new songs to sing for the mass. One of them was a song entitled "Sa Iyong Mga Yapak." When we were working on our harmony, I seem to remember our choirmaster telling us to feel and understand every word that we sing. Taking that suggestion to heart, we began singing the song and while the sopranos (I being one of them) were singing the words, I almost choked and found myself wanting to cry. It's like a revelation at that time that the song that I'm singing refers to the loving act of our Lord Jesus Christ as he suffered and died for our sins. It's a good thing that there were eight of us in the soprano section and so, my stopping at mid-song wasn't too obvious. Since then, whenever we sing this song during the mass, I try my best to hold back the tears for a few minutes so that the beauty of the song and it's reflective words may touch those people hearing mass. I knew then that this song is truly perfect for Lenten Season. But I'd take it a step further that this song truly reflects Jesus' everyday sacrifice to us whenever he changes the host and the wine into his body and blood. This is one of my favorite and most loved Filipino Sacred Music. Here I share it with you in the spirit of the Lenten Season and in thanksgiving for God's marvelous gift of love and mercy.

By the way, the English translation is a rough one. Pardon my efforts if I have not completely captured the essence of the song. I hope that you'd be touched by the song itself.

SA IYONG MGA YAPAK                                         English Translation

Landas na kay tinik sa Iyo'y inilaan                              A path filled with thorns was intended for You

Bawa't hakbang nito'y dusa't hirap ang laman               Every step is filled with suffering and anguish

Sa kalooban ng Ama nagpasakop kang ganap             You submitted to the Father’s will fully

Buhay Mo O Hesus ang siyang alay na sapat               Your life, O Jesus, was the only offering that’s enough

Laban sa agos ng mundo,                                            Against the grain of the world,

Lumakad ka sa landas Mo                                          You walked the path only you have chosen

Laban sa lakad ng mundo,                                           Against the trend of the world,

Landas na sa 'ki'y nais Mo                                          You walked the path you wished that I would take

Sa Iyong mga yapak, ako ay tatahak                           I will walk in Your footsteps,

Kahit tigib ng luha ang nilakaran Mong landas              Even though the path You trod is full of tears

Pasakit man at dusa dulot ng mundo'y kamtan              Even if the world may bring me pain and suffering

Bawat bakas ng Iyong mga yapak                               Every trace of Your footsteps

Bawat hakbang Mo'y aking susundan                          Every step You take, I shall take it too

Kay hirap Mang gawin kalooban Mo'y tupdin             Though it’s hard to do Thy will completely

Pinili kong sundan bakas ng 'Yong mga hakbang          I choose to follow the path treaded by your footsteps

Ang buhay ko'y laan sa Iyo kailanpaman                     My life I give fully to Thee forevermore

Maglilingkod sa'Yo Panginoon hanggang wakas           I shall serve you, O God, to the end