Easter is the most significant celebration in the Catholic Church that commemorates the resurrection of Jesus from the dead after his crucifixion. Coincidentally, the said celebration lands on the same day with April Fools, the time where most of the people send off their jokes or pranks.
Jesus Christ has risen and it’s not a joke. Probably some people would not believe that Jesus has risen just like what Thomas (also known as Doubting Thomas) did. But this is not a joke like what others says every April fools day. According to Fr. Jerome Secillano, executive secretary of the CBCP’s Public Affairs Committee, “In this April Fool’s Day, Christ did not fool us. He saved us and brought great blessing upon us.”
Early this morning, numerous devotees attended the annual Salubong, a tradition in Diocesan Shrine and Parish of Nuestra Senora de Aranzazu (DSPNSDA) and even in other Catholic churches. It is a reenactment of the Biblical account of the Risen Jesus Christ reuniting with Mother Mary.
Easter Sunday Mass is presided by Rev. Fr. Lopito “Bembol” Hiteroza at the plaza. Just like how Fr. Bembol would start his homily, he asked the parishioners on how you will know if the night is about to end and the morning is about to start. He said that the day is about to start if you consider someone as your brother and sister, not just a mere man and woman.
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” – John 3:16. This biblical verse depicts the love shown by Almighty God to us. By sacrificing at the cross is God’s way of showing His love and despite of the sins we committed, God still absolves us; we are encouraged to spread the love to other people just like what He did.
We have a lot of things to thank for. A concrete example is the life we had now. By simply saying thank you, we already expressed our gratitude. We should appreciate and be grateful for every little thing we have. We are nothing without God because He is the source of what we have now and the one behind who and where we are now.
Instead of greeting your neighbor and friends a Happy April Fool’s Day, greet them with Happy Easter! May God be an epitome of unconditional and selfless love for all of us. (Lester de Castro)
Lester de Castro
Writer, Website Team - Media Ministry
To those who know him, no words are required. To those who do not, no words will suffice. Lester R. de Castro is a “scholar ng bayan” at Polytechnic University of the Philippines taking up Accountancy, Business, and Management. Lester belongs to his batches’ "Cream of the Crop" dominating to a remarkable vision of the future. Currently, as a website writer of DSPNSDA’s Media and Public Information Ministry, the talents and skills he received from the Almighty above are being used and shared not only for his own good but for the good of others as well. He believes that in life, God must be the center who guides us towards the right path.
