P-Noy: Do what's right, stay hopeful

MANILA, Philippines - President Aquino called on Filipinos yesterday to always live by God’s compassion and to think of others, stay the right course and remain hopeful despite the many challenges and difficulties, saying the country is on the rise.

In his Easter message, Aquino said the people must remember how Jesus Christ has owned up to the sins of humanity to let the faithful enjoy God’s kingdom.

“Indeed, His rise from the dead fulfills the promise for eternal life,” Aquino said.

The President said the country is showing that it is also rising from hopelessness that drove people to leave and take risks overseas just to escape from the clutches of corruption and poverty.

“But the Catholic Church itself said: to lose hope is a big sin. So we held on to our faith and trusted in His endless love. This is what is giving us light to a progressive and just society,” Aquino said.

In the past elections, the President said Filipinos decided to put an end to abuses and to the sufferings of the people.

Since he assumed office, he said more and more people have become convinced that the Philippines has changed for the better.

He said many overseas Filipino workers now want to return to their families and take advantage of local opportunities. More businessmen are investing in the country and providing jobs to Filipinos, he said.

The President said the examples of Christ have always been a recipe for success: “Doing what is right, being charitable and sincere in thinking of other people’s welfare.”

“This is the principle that brought confidence in the country,” he said, citing the investments that came in since he assumed office as well as the record highs in the Philippine Stock Exchange index.

He added that more than three million people have been registered in the conditional cash transfer program as beneficiaries.

“We are able to do this because there is a government that is focused and ready to sacrifice for the sake of the people,” the President said.

Aquino vowed to “work harder” so he can fulfill his promise of change as soon as possible.

“We can only attain (success) by living Christ’s lessons, opening up our hearts to others, especially the needy,” he said.

In facing hard decisions, the President urged the people not to stray from righteousness.

“Let us always do what is right to truly mirror our faith with actions. If we continue with what we have started, we can pass on to the next generation of Filipinos a Philippines that is truly pro-God, humane and just,” the President said.

Reflection

At the House of Representatives, Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. said Lent should be an occasion to reflect on Christ’s sacrifices and on His Resurrection’s message of “triumph of light over darkness.”

He also urged Filipinos to follow Christ’s example.

“The season of Lent has afforded us the solemn opportunity to reflect on Christ’s sacrifices, His descent into morality and His supreme surrender in the Cross to free us from the bondage of sin. May His example inspire us to offer our efforts for the greater good, and to live according to His teachings that we may prove ourselves to be worthy of His abundant and immeasurable love,” Belmonte said.

“The resurrection of Christ is the triumph of light over darkness, and the fulfillment of God’s promise to redeem humanity. To every Christian, it serves as an exhortation to live a purposeful life, in service less of self and more of humanity, and the constant reminder that the hardship of embarking in the righteous path pales in comparison with the rewards of our eternal salvation,” he said.

“May this Easter strengthen our resolve in following Christ’s example, and in keeping our faith, just as God has kept His faith in humanity,” he added.

On behalf of the House of Representatives, Belmonte said he is relaying his “joyful greeting this Easter to every Filipino Christian family, here and abroad.”