By Tara Yap
ILOILO CITY – The Catholic faithful was reminded that God’s presence can get everyone though the pandemic coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
Due to the threat of coronavirus disease 2019 or COVID-19, there are no regular churchgoers as Jaro Archbishop Jose Romeo Lazo leads Easter Sunday Mass at Jaro Metropolitan Cathedral in Iloilo City. (Tara Yap/Manila Bulletin)
“This is the new challenge of Easter—how God has touch us in the interlocking of events and our faith,” said Archbishop Jose Romeo Lazo of the Archdiocese of Jaro, which oversees the Roman Catholic Church in Iloilo City, Iloilo province and island province of Guimaras.
“The Resurrection reminds us of God’s continuous presence in whatever situation we are in,” added Lazo in his Easter message.
Lazo led the Easter Sunday mass at the Jaro Cathedral with only a TV crew and a few church staff present.
The archdiocese has been broadcasting and streaming online Eucharistic masses since last month when community quarantine started and barred the general public from physically attending the Eucharistic celebrations.
Lazo reminded the faithful of the passion and death of Jesus.
“We also bear in mind that because of COVID-19, we are going through our own pain. Some of us have lost our loved ones—parents, brothers, sisters, grandparents, friends, or frontliners. Many of us do not have much food, drink or medicine. Many of us are afraid, uncertain, angry, impatient, overworked, or sleepless,” Lazo noted.
“In Jesus’ resurrection, we build up on the hope that He promised. It is a new fire to light our darkness, to warm our hearts,” Lazo added.