The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines on Sunday reminded the faithful that rebirth is possible because of Jesus Christ.
“Our resurrection is possible, and our resurrection is ours because of Jesus. How deeply he loved us, painfully embracing death in order to conquer and defeat it, so that we might live, and live life eternally,” CBCP president and Davao Archbishop Romulo Valles said in his Easter message.
Valles noted that “the Easter celebration is our prayerful memory of the Paschal Mystery of Jesus: his suffering, his crucifixion and death and his glorious resurrection.”
“May it be that our Lenten observances have made us ready to be with the Lord in his suffering, death and resurrection,” Valles said.
The Davao prelate also urged the faithful to always remember the life of Jesus Christ and draw light and hope from it amid the many “darknesses” of life.
“May it be that our Lenten observances have made us ready to go through the many ‘darknesses’ of our present life, when often we are desperate and have lost hope, and still we walk with Jesus deeply believing that with him, we will see light and life,” the CBCP head said.
“Easter is the most wonderful feast in our Church’s life of prayer and worship. In this feast, we are again at the heart of God’s loving presence,” he added.
He also described Easter as the “Lord’s promise of eternal life and happiness.”
Meanwhile, another prelate called Jesus Christ’s resurrection as a symbol of hope.
“There is an empty tomb, the symbol of glory and eternal life. It means for us that there is hope even when life seems to be difficult and hard. Even when streams of problems seem not to end. When burdens are overflowing,” said. Fr. Jerome Secillano, executive secretary of the CBCP-Permanent Committee on Public Affairs.
“Let’s continue to hope because even though it seemed that we are powerless in the midst of life’s trials, hope tells us not to put a limit to what God can do. He already died for us and now he will bring us out of our miseries to enjoy his promise of glory,” Secillano added.