MANILA, Philippines - President Aquino exhorted Filipinos yesterday to remember God’s deep love for His children in making sacrifices coupled with hard work for the majority of the people, saying Calvary and Herod could be overcome with these virtues.
“As long as we equal hard work with prayers, as long as we carry our nation together, as long as we focus on the welfare of the majority more than ourselves, no Calvary, no Herod can stop us from achieving the changes we aspire for,” the President said in his Lenten message.
King Herod was a ruler of Jerusalem at a time when Jesus was born. He ordered the killing of all male infants as a prophecy was made that the son of God was born and would be a threat to his position as king.
The President wished the people a peaceful and meaningful reflection during the Lenten season.
Aquino said the Holy Week would allow people to remember God’s absolute love that He gave His only begotten son to save mankind.
The President said the Lenten season would reflect the real meaning of Jesus Christ’s greatness when He chose to be a man and offer his life as savior.
“This is the lesson of our Lord, to equate charity work with prayers and voluntarily help in carrying the cross of people experiencing hardships,” Aquino said.
“Your administration gives importance to the opportunity (to serve) given by the people and that is why following the lessons of Jesus Christ, the government is making sacrifices to bring about meaningful changes,” the President said.
Aquino said the “outpouring of blessings and good news” about the nation would prove that they were taking the right path.
The President disclosed he would visit Churches based on religious tradition today along with his family and spend Easter Sunday with them.
Aquino said there would not be much opportunity for him to rest as he would monitor the peace and order situation in the country but he would also be taking a short break on Good Friday.
Also yesterday, President Aquino made a surprise visit to the North Harbor in Tondo, Manila and the Araneta Bus Terminal in Cubao, Quezon.
He also inspected the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 in Parañaque City and reminded its officials to heighten their state of preparedness during the Lenten season even without his instructions.
