Jesus's death on the cross was a spectacle that made people leave Calvary beating their breasts (Luke 23:48). The act of beating one's breast signifies sorrow or contrition, the way we strike our breasts during the "I confess" part in the Mass particularly at the words "through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault."
Through the various acts of piety and mercy we have done in Lent, we have expressed sorrow for our sins. Through these various acts we have, figuratively speaking, beat our breasts.
And yet, the story does not end with Jesus' horrible dying. Three days later, He rose again from the dead as He has spoken. Just when people thought that Jesus was a false Messiah, a hoax, a complete failure, lo and behold Him appearing to His followers saying "Peace be with you" (John 20:21). God is indeed a God of surprises.
As Jesus killed sin and death by His self-sacrifice on the cross, His resurrection has given us new life, a life united with Him! How great is God's mercy indeed!
And what should be our response to such great mercy? It is summed up in a short, but meaningful prayer: Jesus, I trust in You!
As we celebrate our Lord's Resurrection let us strive to be more trustful of His mercy. Less beating of breasts, more beating of heart for Him and for others especially those who are still left in the dark, those who have rejected or doubted God's mercy, and those who have not yet known Jesus.
I would like to take this opportunity too to thank you for your continued support especially in our annual Holy Week special, The Seven Last Words. My special thanks go to Berwyn Bautista, Fr Judy Banez, Beth Dantes, Ana Payod-Balla, Carlo Malaluan, and Judith Castro-Songlingco for sharing their reflections in this year's devotion.
Thanks too to Allan Dabu for designing our poster, Mike Flores for designing our layout, Grace Madrinan for posting the reflections in our Facebook page, and Vlad Reyes for liaising with Arzobispado de Manila and for writing the Epilogue. Last but not least, thank you to His Eminence Luis Antonio G. Cardinal Tagle for writing the Prologue. I hope that this devotion has enhanced your spiritual journey towards Easter.
In behalf of the web’s Editorial Board and staff, I wish you all a blessed Easter!
May the Risen Jesus, the Face of the Father's Mercy, bless you all!
Ang inyong manong,
Pietro S. Albano
Editor-in-Chief
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