Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle AP FILE PHOTO
Filipinos must see Jesus as one of those in need, with his Resurrection serving as guidance for people who are afraid, worrying and sorrowful, Manila Archbishop Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle says in his Easter message.
Tagle reminds the faithful that the annual commemoration of Jesus’ resurrection and glorification gives them “a glimpse of the eternal life that he, who became human like us, now possesses—a life that will not be touched by sin, destruction and death again.”
“His risen life is our hope, the pledge of our future glory,” Tagle says. “But Jesus’ resurrection does not cut us off from our earthly life and concerns. It is not an excuse to ignore and to be indifferent toward our world.”
“The light of Easter,” Tagle says, should enable the faithful to see clearly the truth about their complex human condition while continuously moving forward to a “glorious future.”
Calming words
The words spoken by Christ during his resurrection remains relevant to the Filipinos up to the present day, Tagle says.
Jesus, he says, told his disciples gathered in a room: “Why are you frightened and why do doubts arise in your hearts?”
To a troubled Mary Magdalene, Jesus said, “Why are you weeping? Who are you looking for?”
“The Risen Lord offers the same questions to us especially in moments of fear, doubt, distrust and [grief],” Tagle says. “He leads us to our hearts so we could reflect, explore and find meaning. Outbursts of panic, phobia, worry and sorrow need the calming influence of reflection and meditation.”
These words, Tagle says, should make the faithful pause and look into the reasons or the lack of it for the terror and anxiety gripping them.
“Let us listen to Him,” Tagle says.
Look after the poor
More important, he says, are the words of Jesus to his disciples: “Have you anything here to eat?”
“The glorious Lord comes to us through our humble, simple, poor and suffering brothers and sisters,” Tagle says. “Even while possessing all authority and power, he deems it worthy to reside among the lowly, those who lack basic necessities of life.”
Tagle says the questions of Jesus invite the Filipinos not to allow worries and cynicism to blind them to the needs of the poor.
“Let us behold the Risen Jesus in every needy person and see a neighbor, a brother or sister,” he says.