Evil will never win – Tagle

MANILA, Philippines – Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle said the resurrection of Jesus Christ gives hope that He will triumph over evil amid gunfire and bombings.

Tagle, in his Easter message issued yesterday, said the Risen Christ’s greeting “peace be with you” gives comfort to those who are afraid and in despair. “We loudly sing Alleluia above the blast of bombs and gunfire. Before the signs of evil that destroy life, human dignity, the common good and creation, we profess with conviction, ‘Jesus is truly risen. God has triumphed! Evil will never win’,” Tagle said.

Tagle said Jesus resurrected from death that was inflicted on him by people who were blinded by ambition, power and narrow legalism.“While there had been many events that tempt people to be cynical and pessimistic, and often wonder whether decency, caring and courtesy still exist, the faithful is comforted in knowing that there is hope and mercy through the Risen Lord,” the Manila prelate said.

Tagle said Jesus Christ brings hope to situations such as stories of cheating, theft and betrayal; or seeing the number of street children, street families, beggars, youth dissipated by drugs, women trafficked into prostitution and slavery, families torn apart by poverty and parents searching for their missing children.

“We convince ourselves that images of refugees and victims of terrorist attacks are merely a passing nightmare. We cry with the earth as we cry with the poor… But the Risen Lord changes the whole story,” Tagle said.