“Magkaisa, magtulungan, mag-encourage sa nawawalang ngpag-asa, magbigay ng comfort sa mga nalulumbay o nangulila. In a word, let us support one another. Help from God will come. Meanwhile, let us help one another.”
This was the message of Most Rev. Broderick S. Pabillo, D.D., Apostolic Administrator of Manila, in his homily on the Easter Vigil at the Manila Cathedral last April 3.
The celebration of the Easter Vigil, explained the bishop, is the commemoration of the most important night in the history of salvation.
“Ang gabi ng kadiliman, ang kadiliman ng kasalanan at kamatayan ay napagtagumpayanan ng liwanag. Darkness fled in front of light. Death is overcome by life. Evil is vanished by love.,” he said.
“Ginagawa natin ang ating vigil sa ating pagsubaybay sa kasaysayan ng kaligtasan, the history of salvation. Hindi basta basta dumating ang kaligtasan. Hindi ito instant. Ang kasaysayan ay isang proseso at bahagi tayo ng prosesong ito. Kaya ang daloy ng kaligtasan ay daloy ng kasaysayan natin ngayon. This is our story. What we have heard in our readings are not stories of others. We have heard our own story as a people of God,” he added.
As recounted in the biblical readings during the vigil, at the creation of the world everything was ‘good and beautiful coming from a good and loving God’. However, the good world was broken because of sin. God planned to bring back all of creation, especially humanity, to goodness by sending His only begotten Son to bring redemption from sin.
“We do not deserve Jesus. But He not only came, He guide for us para lang mabago tayo,” Bishop Pabillo emphasized.
Bishop Pabillo encouraged the faithful to reflect on this message and to take part in helping those who are in need and vulnerable. May this Easter Vigil be an inspiration to sharing graces.
“Let us allow the energy of resurrection to move us all. Ang ating Panginoon ay hindi naiwang nakapako sa krus. Siya’y muling nabuhay. Ang Mahal na Araw ay hindi lang Biyernes Santo, kasama ang Linggo ng Pagkabuhay. Let us move because Jesus, our Lord is alive,” he added. (Fatima Llanza/RCAM-AOC)
