Sunday, April 16, 2006
Cardinal's Easter message: 'be humble and forgiving'
MANILA -- "Emulate Jesus Christ's selfless acts and practice the virtues of humility and forgiveness," were the message of two ranking officials of the Catholic Church as the country celebrates Easter Sunday.
Both prelates also reminded Filipinos to remain united especially with the economic and swirling political crisis the country is facing.
Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales in his Easter message to be read today stressed that the observance of the Holy week and the resurrection of Christ must served as an inspiration to renew our faith to God and imitate the good deeds Jesus done during his life.
It is the resurrection of Jesus Christ -- His victory over death -- that the more than one billion Catholics around the world anchor their belief in God and the existence of life after death.
Rosales said it takes a united, forgiving country -- from the "highest leadership to the littlest villager and with everyone cooperating in humility, understanding, sacrifice and forgiveness" -- to make a happy Easter out of the crisis the country is experiencing.
Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal also told a crowd gathered at the Cebu Cathedral last Friday for the Seven Last Words to forgive and respect just as Jesus did.
Forgiveness and respect are contained in Jesus' first words: "Forgive them, Father! They do not know what they are doing," "I tell you this: Today you will be in Paradise with me," and "Woman, here is your son. Son, here is your mother."
The Risen Lord is an example for Christians to follow, be it in personal development or communal progress, Rosales said.
He added that the fact that Jesus resurrected from his death should also give us some strength to face all the hurdles in life through our faith.
He noted that Jesus Christ after committing to bring back humans to God "as persons freed from the slavery of sin and the vices that followed in its wake," accepted that the only way of proceeding towards that freedom is by "self-giving known today as sacrifice and discipline, in which no gain is achieved without pain."
"The discipline of self, the taming of ambition, and the restraint on self as clinging to every hold on power and wealth are the Christian way to conquest and achievement," he said.
Jaro Archbishop Angel Lagdameo, president of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) also reminded the faithful that although God's work is finished the people's work has just started.
"Christ has finished the foundation. We must build upon it. After Easter, we still have a country to build, because our people are still in the mire of Good Friday. Our people continue to be crucified by abuse of human rights, by the negligence of its leaders, by government graft and corruption. We still have a work to finish," Lagdameo said.
"Even if what we are afraid of or worry about does happen, we can hear the Lord telling us, "Fear not! I am here!" We can face Good Friday within Easter time," he added.
According to the CBCP president, Christ's message went far beyond the time of its delivery as it continues to be fulfilled by bringing about a continuing procession of Easter people, who are enlivened in their zeal and dedication.
"The message from the cross, unlike the words of dying men, never died. They continue to echo waking even the dead from their graves. We can go back again and again to the message of Christ on the Cross to discover in them how we can lead ourselves to the resurrection life that he is offering," he said.
Meanwhile, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in her Easter message said her administration would remain steadfast in its mission to free the country from the bondage of poverty and political discord.
"We seek above all the nation's salvation from poverty and discord," she said in her Easter message. The President said Eastern Sunday brings to its fullness the "meaning of Christ's death on the cross."
"From our great trials flow patience and experience that, in turn, elevate the hope of salvation," she said.
"Christ suffered to show us how love can endure sacrifice and redeem souls," the President added.
She called on the people to keep their hopes high as "we keep our own crosses, rise from our failings, and fix our sights on a brighter horizon."
The President said, "Our beloved bishops spoke of the people's fear of more chaotic politics even as they struggle to make a decent living." (MN/PNA/Sunnex)
(April 16, 2006 issue)
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