“AS Jesus has risen, let us also #Resurrectlove in our relationships, our society and our lives.”
This is the Easter message of the Catholic Church through its media arms Radio Veritas 846, TV Maria, Catholic Media Network and Caritas Manila in their social experiment video titled “The Lazarus Project”.
Launched on Easter Sunday, April 16, the Lazarus Project shows the reaction of people to five different characters who typically would experience judgement, such as an escort, a gay couple, a homeless man and a transgender attending a Holy Mass.
In this video, we want to express the true meaning of Jesus Christ’s resurrection, that God rose from the dead for all of mankind: men, women, even gays. Rich or poor, young or old, in all walks of life, whether you have had an education or not, Christ was resurrected for all of us, most especially for those who have sinned.
Now, God who loves us unconditionally, the Lord who loves us eternally and has risen from the dead is now calling everyone to resurrect the capacity to forgive and love, especially to those who need it most.
We who are tired, who are troubled in this world, who are lost and have sinned, let us all come to the Lord. Whatever sin we have committed, that is all in the past. The Lord has forgiven you. Offered his life for you and has risen again so you may live in comfort, joy
and freedom.
This initiative also aims to reach and remind all people of different walks of life, regardless of race, color, gender or social status that they belong; that God and the Church accepts and loves everyone without judgement. As what Pope Francis said, “The Church is a place of mercy and hope where everyone is welcomed, loved and forgiven.”
His Eminence Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio G. Cardinal Tagle, DD in his homily during Palm Sunday Mass on April 9 at the Manila Cathedral said the acceptance of Jesus Christ means acceptance of His presence among the poor and the oppressed.
“Accepting the real Jesus is accepting His presence among the poor; those who get spat at and insulted in society; those who kept silent even when they are being slapped. But they are the ones who have dignity, because only God knows the truth. And that’s how Jesus is, and that’s how we should follow Him,” the Cardinal said.
Currently, the video garnered a total of 471,000 views and 8,780 shares. You can help us spread the message of love, forgiveness and acceptance by watching and sharing the video at Radio Veritas 846 Facebook page, Veritas846.ph, and use the official hashtag, #Ressurectlove.
****
To know more about Caritas Manila, visit www.caritasmanila.org.ph. For your donations, please call our DonorCare lines 563-9311, 564-0205, 0999-7943455, 0905-4285001 and 0929-8343857. Make it a habit to listen to Radio Veritas 846 in the AM band, or through live streaming at www.veritas846.ph. For comments, e-mail veritas846pr@gmail.com.