MANILA, Philippines - Chief Justice Renato Corona spent the Holy Week in prayer and expressed optimism on the outcome of his impeachment trial that he drew parallels with the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
In his Easter Sunday message, Corona said that just like Jesus, he also has “sufferings caused by such injustice by complicity, trial by publicity and conviction by popular opinion (that) seem like dark thunderstorm clouds.”
Corona said the Holy Week was extra meaningful to his ordeal as it taught him the Lord’s “story of patience, perseverance and faith.”
“It began when the chief priests and other leaders plotted against the Son of God leading to his arrest, mockery, trial and crucifixion... But in the end, it will still be between us and our Creator, just like the time of the Son of Man when he called on his heavenly father,” Corona said.
The embattled Chief Justice said the persecution of Christ reflects what people go through nowadays “where the temple of justice is shaken by tectonic plates of political expediency, and in a government where leaders take away the rights of others to give in to the demands of the mob.”
Corona added, “The sacrifice of Christ is a timely reminder to value our ideals and principles to the point of risking everything for them.
“The message of a Risen Christ gives us strength, hope and solace. This occasion therefore is a welcome opportunity for us to reaffirm our courage and thank the Almighty for His unceasing grace as we face an unknown tomorrow and uncertain future,” he said.
Corona said the promise of Easter gives the people the resolve to “overcome hate and division and help us tread the path of peace and faith towards a society free from poverty, violence and injustice.”
This is not the first time that the Chief Justice gave an Easter message, a kind of tradition among some government officials.