NEW LIFE IN CHRIST
(Message for Easter 2008)

Jesus Christ is risen from the dead. Rejoice and be glad! This is the key teaching of the Christian faith. His Resurrection was foretold and it was promised. But the fulfillment of the Resurrection passed through the paces of suffering and death, difficult and painful stages that humans fear to tread.

For us the difficult stages mean death to our selfish selves. Death to our old ways means that we may rise to new life.

Just as all die in Adam, so in Christ all will be brought to life; but all of them in their proper order: Christ, the first fruits, and next, at his coming, those who belong to him (1 Cor. 15, 22-23). In life let us all belong to Him that in us Christ will rise again!

+ GAUDENCIO B. CARDINAL ROSALES
Archbishop of Manila