SARS: Saved, Alive,
Redeemed Servants

THE STORY is told about a woman in Germany who did not believe in the Resurrection. In fact, her will was so specific that her tomb was to be made of solid slabs of granite fastened together by huge steel bars. She even instructed that, on her tomb be engraved the words: "This burial place must never be touched." But, in time, a small sprout appeared on her tomb, and soon the sprout became a big tree. All the slabs of granite and the steel bars could not withstand the life of the seed that has grown within. Now, over her shattered tomb stands a big tree, alive, and so full of life.

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John's account of the Resurrection (Jn. 20, 1-9) starts with Mary of Magdala coming to the tomb early in the morning. She saw the stone removed from the tomb. The Lord has risen! He has overcome death. It was the victory of life over death, light over darkness, goodness over evil, joy over sorrow. The Resurrection is a beautiful story of hope, new beginnings, new life. May we all accept and take comfort that because the Lord has risen, we too can overcome whatever bends, dead ends and walls that confront us in life.

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Next time you pass by Edsa-Ortigas, look at the shrubs growing on the side of the concrete, an inspiring testament that life will survive, and that we will survive.

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For Holy Week we wrote that we all have SARS (Severe, Acute, Recurring Sins) and that we all are Selfish, Arrogant, Rebellious Sinners. For Easter, we must be transformed into Saved, Alive, Redeemed Servants (SARS) of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

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SAVED. Somebody has died for you and me. We were saved with much pain and suffering. We all are very precious and important. We all have the dignity of being sons and daughters in the Son. We were given a second life, a second chance. If we have been saved, then we must be GRATEFUL to Him who has saved us.

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ALIVE. Because of the Resurrection, we can look forward to eternal life where there are no more tears, no more problems, no more pains, no more sorrow. Because we are alive, then we must live life well, by living a life so full of LOVE.

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REDEEMED. We were lost, but have been found. We were blind, but we now can see! There was no way we could buy ourselves back. We were pawned (sinangla) but we were redeemed (tinubos). Hindi tayo na-remata! So we should rejoice and live JOYFUL lives, for, with, and in Jesus Christ.

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SERVANTS. We are still sinners, but because of the Resurrection, we must become GRATEFUL, LOVING, JOYFUL SERVANTS of our Lord Jesus Christ. He has taught us by His word and by His very life that the road to take in this life is the road of service and love. As servants, we must continue to listen to our Master and follow His instructions. His vision is our vision. His mission is our mission. His agenda is our agenda. It is no longer we that live but Christ who lives in us.

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Last Holy Thursday, I did something different in the washing of the feet. For the past 10 years already, I have been washing the feet of celebrities, politicians and businessmen on TV. I am not complaining. I don't mind the little sacrifice. In fact they have clean feet and even manicured nails and well pressed barong for the occasion. But that's precisely the point. A lot of it is just "one for the money and two for the show." Just when they thought everything was done, I told them of what Jesus said: "What I have done to you, do it to one another." So, I made them wash one another's feet! And they did, much to the delight of the audience. I am sure the message came out clear and loud too: service is for real, for life.

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God really knows how and when to make His presence and love felt. Just when I was getting exhausted by my hectic Holy Week schedule, the Lord showed His care and concern in a very concrete way through a couple who came all the way from Tanauan, Batangas, and brought me some goodies and gave me an anti-flu shot, just to make sure I don't get sick, they said. And this, they did in a very simple, sincere and hidden way. But, like the Resurrection, goodness cannot be contained and the Good News must be proclaimed, so Thank you Dr. Johnny and Nemy Platon. These acts of kindness and many more from others make me believe and make me rejoice that love is real, and Jesus is alive!

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God answers prayers! For a whole week I agonized over the loss of my small, CD player which is very handy in my recollections and retreats. But I prayed and believed and prayed on, asking the intercession of the Blessed Mother and Blessed Arnold Janssen. Finally, last Wednesday, it was found in the Convent of the Pink Sisters in Davao! Praise God!

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Happy Easter everyone! Remember, you and I have a mission for our Risen Lord Jesus Christ.

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A moment with the Lord:

Lord, because of you and the Resurrection, I have been saved, I am alive and have been redeemed. Help me to become your grateful, loving and joyful servant. Amen.