OPAPRU marks Easter, calls on Filipinos to embrace peace, love, and forgiveness

DAVAO CITY (April 20) – The Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity (OPAPRU) joined the global Christian community in celebrating Easter Sunday, urging Filipinos to live by the values of love, peace, and forgiveness as taught by Jesus Christ.

“Let us rejoice, for He is risen!” OPAPRU said in a statement, reflecting on the resurrection of Jesus Christ, a pivotal event in Christianity that symbolizes triumph over sin and death and affirms God’s boundless love for humanity.

“After a week of commemorating Christ’s painful journey to the cross, today we celebrate His victory over death and His promise of eternal life,” the statement read.

The agency emphasized that Christ’s resurrection, which occurred three days after His crucifixion, should inspire all Filipinos in their collective pursuit of just and lasting peace.

“As we, Filipinos, move forward in our journey towards peace, may we be inspired to practice the values the risen Christ teaches us—love, peace, and forgiveness,” OPAPRU said.

Encouraging citizens to be agents of hope and transformation, the office added: “Just as Jesus Christ’s victory over death was a promise of hope to the Christian faithful, let us also be torchbearers of hope and positive change for our families, communities, and our country.”

OPAPRU ended its message with a prayerful wish: “May this Easter Sunday be a source of great faith, joy, and peace for all of us. A Happy and Blessed Easter Sunday to all!”

The message also quoted scripture from John 11:25-26:

“Jesus told her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die.’”