EDITORIAL - Salvation largely depends on deeds

Today, Easter Sunday, marks one of the most important religious feasts across Christendom as hundreds of millions of Catholic faithful celebrate the resurrection of Christ.

In the Philippines, the bastion of the Christian faith in Southeast Asia, observance of the Lenten Season, of which Easter Sunday forms an integral part, has always been a more meaningful affair.

From the Ash Wednesday to the Holy Week, Catholic faithful across the archipelago would always see to it that their observance would transcend beyond the boundaries of their faith. 

That is why, of all annual religious feasts, the observance of the Lenten Season seems to be the most unique in this country. The fact that some devotees would even go the extra mile inflicting punishment upon their bodies as a form of penitence is a testament that they are reenacting Jesus Christ's sufferings in his last days on earth for a meaningful spiritual cleansing.

 Of course, today's celebration of the resurrection of Christ would not be complete without going to beaches and engaging in other form of parties. Some of us will say that Christ's resurrection should be celebrated in the most sumptuous manner for it completes God's assurance of an eternal life to those who walk along the path of righteousness.

However, the celebration of Christ's resurrection should not only center on the aspect of merrymaking. There is also a need for us, the faithful, to try to examine our spiritual lives as to whether we are worthy to receive God's promised gift of an eternal life.

Since Christ chose death to redeem us from sin, salvation largely depends on our deeds. And we can only have that heavenly gift unless we learn to repent and denounce wickedness.

Yes Christ's death on the cross cannot guarantee salvation for those who are unrepentant. That is because eternal life can only be obtained through willingness to accept Christ as personal savior.

 Through His unconditional love for man God had sent His only begotten Son to live with us on earth. And because of the death of Christ salvation is guaranteed to those who choose to follow His will.