WORD ALIVE

There was a “fake news” that Jesus Christ had risen from the dead because the grave was borrowed. The wealthy owner, Joseph of Arimathea, was getting it back allegedly since he needed it.

That’s not true. Jesus wanted to prove what he predicted and promised that he would rise on the third day.

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The gospel of this 3rd Easter Sunday relates how the risen Christ appeared at the Sea of Tiberias.

His appearances served to strengthen and reinforce the faith of his close followers, telling them that he was really their Master who was crucified, died, and resurrected.

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Just as the apostles had believed in the Risen Lord and his teachings, so we his present-day followers should do the same. It’s easy enough to believe in Jesus when life is stress-free and comfortable. However, it’s not so when trials, failures, and adversities strike us.

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I had a friend who was very active in her parish as member of the Legion of Mary, Cursillo and other organizations. When she migrated to the USA, she continued her pastoral involvement.

Everything went well, until she was diagnosed to have cancer of the uterus.  The finding devastated her. But she and church co-workers prayed earnestly, trusting the Lord would heal her.

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Instead of getting better, the insidious sickness spread and became even more painful. The lady got so dejected that she stopped praying altogether. Not too long after, she passed away. When I learned about it, I felt very sad and enunciated prayers, asking the Lord to understand  her physical and mental disposition then. To paraphrase Jesus’ last word, “Father forgive her for she did not know what she was doing.”

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There are other adversities and challenges we encounter like financial difficulties, unjust treatment from one’s superior or employer, family problems, to mention some.

Do I reflect that, perhaps, the fault lies in me as, for instance, I incur lung cancer due to cigarette smoking? Or, drinking too much of alcoholic beverages? On the national level,  is our economy slow in progress because of corrupt officials and leaders?

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“Letting go” means getting rid of our negative attitudes and practices that hamper personal and national progress.

In the context of Easter, it means dying to our bad traits and vices, and rising to a new life.

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Moral integrity in election

Do not vote on the basis of popularity, affinity or friendship or candidates who’re known plunderers, tax evaders and vote buyers. We should also show concern by volunteering as poll watchers of authorized groups like NAMFREL and PPCRV.

A leader may be the best economist who can solve the country’s financial woes but if he is corrupt, stealing from the government coffers or pocketing multi-million-pesos from ghost projects, then his talent is all trash.

That’s the reason why a country cannot prosper economically.

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How true are the words of the Greek philosopher Plato: “Poverty consists not in the decrease of man's possessions, but in the increase of one’s greed.”

Another writer puts it, thus: “There’s enough resources for every one’s needs but not enough for every one’s greed.”

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Help seminarians. A benefactor wrote: “Father. I would like to adopt a seminarian. This is my way of giving back some of the blessings the Lord has given to me.”

May I appeal to others to “give back some of the blessings God has given to you”  by donating an amount or sponsor a seminarian's schooling for a year. For inquiry, e-mail: [email protected].