MANILA, Philippines— A Cardinal urged the faithful to love the poor and the needy, stressing that they must not only commemorate Jesus Christ’s sacrifice but also live out His teachings.
In his homily at the Manila Cathedral’s Easter Vigil on Saturday, Cardinal Orlano Quevedo urged the faithful to reflect on their own lives and consider how they can contribute to alleviating the suffering of others.
“Today we should have that love for one another, and especially the love of the poor and the needy. The special spirit of Christian love. The love of the poor and the needy is already demonstrated by Jesus. The God born poor, the God who lived poor, and the God in his humanity died poor,” he said.
Quevedo emphasized that the celebration of Jesus’ resurrection is about embodying God’s love in daily life—especially toward society’s most vulnerable sectors.
"’Love one another as I have loved you,’ said Jesus. After the washing of the feet, love one another. Serve one another. And not only love and serve within your family and your friends, your community, but especially the poor and the needy,” he said.
The cardinal described the Easter Vigil as a movement from darkness to light—symbolizing humanity’s liberation from sin and suffering through Christ’s resurrection.
He pointed out that present-day struggles—such as rising prices on goods and corruption—are forms of “darkness” that continue to afflict many, particularly the marginalized.
“Hunger stalks the land because of high prices that the needy and poor people can hardly afford,” he said.
Despite these challenges, Quevedo underscored that Easter is a celebration of joy and hope, urging the faithful to spread the love of God not only to their families and friends but more importantly to the poor.
