read issue - Episcopal Church in the Philippines

FROM THE PRIME BISHOP Editorial
T he disciples of Jesus were a group of Jews with
a few pagan recruits. During the crucifixion
they were a disgruntled, discouraged and confused
group. After the resurrection and their subsequent
empowerment by the Holy Spirit, they went around
proclaiming that the Jesus who rose from the dead
was the same Jesus of Galilee crucified on Good
Friday. They also proclaimed the same message of
the historical Jesus about the coming Kingdom of
God, and that the purpose of Jesus’ passion, death,
resurrection and ascension was for the redemption of
the whole human race. As a result of their proclamation,
Christianity as a new religion was established.
There was transformation in the lives of the
disciples resulting from the resurrection of Jesus –
from a disappointed lot to a vibrant group given new
life, new hope and new future. This is a message of
the season of Easter, ushered in by the resurrection, to
all Christians everywhere and in any given time.
Empowerment is another appeal of the resurrection.
To Filipino Episcopalians, Christ’s resurrection
spurs us with renewed strength and vigor to see to it
that our Vision 2018 with its four goals, are pursued
cooperatively with passion and commitment.
Let the season also be for us a time to see more
clearly the face of the risen Christ in the sufferings of
the poor, the oppressed and the marginalized who are
the most neglected sectors of Philippine society.
l
Christ is Alive!
Alleluia! Christ is risen! This ancient greeting
comes alive and more meaningful to Christian
believers this Easter morning. This greeting
emanates not only from the mind but from the heart.
The greeting is also addressed to our whole being:
heart, body, mind and soul. It is looking at the heart
of God – it is a greeting of faith. It is faith.
Hallelujah, meaning “Praise the Lord” – it
is the command to praise. Why praise? Why not?
Praising God is the least we can do because on that
first Easter day He raised Christ from the dead –
that we too might be raised in the end.
Hosanna to the King! Crucify Him! He is not
here for he has risen as he told you. These words
summarize the events of the Holy Week which
culminates today, the day of the Resurrection. Just
to emphasize what transpired in those last days
which brought us to this celebration, I like what the
editorial in the PDI described those past days: It
says the Paradox of Christ.
The Paradox of Christ
Only days before, Jesus had swept into
Jerusalem, welcomed like a victorious king amid
the wild cheers of the throng of people. The next
moment, the Establishment is bearing down on
him – accused as a blasphemer by the religious
leaders and a destabilizer to the Roman authorities.
He would find refuge, although temporarily, in the
Garden of Gethsemane. But soon, he would be
in the hands of his persecutors, subjected to the
cruelest of physical indignities. Before long, he was
once again walking the streets of Jerusalem, only
this time, with gashes and bruises, blood and grime
all over his body, a crown of thorns on his head, and
a heavy wooden cross on his back. The crowd that
had hailed him a few days earlier was also back on
the streets, but the tumultuous cheers had turned
into raucous jeers. A few hours later, he was on the
hill of Calvary, nailed to the cross --- and dead.
His enemies thought they had buried him
forever in oblivion. Of course, at that time, they had
no way of knowing that by dying he had conquered
death. What looked like one man’s total defeat, he
Editorial continued on page 12