Yangon: Reflecting on the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, Myanmar Cardinal Charles Maung Bo, in his Easter message, reflects on his people’s road to Calvary over past two months.
“The greatest feast of Christianity comes during the saddest days in Myanmar history. For the last two months our people have walked through a real way of the Cross. They continue to be on mount Calvary. Hundreds have been killed. A blood bath has flown on our sacred land. Young and old, and even the children have been mercilessly killed. Dark days. Thousands are arrested and thrown into prisons. Thousands are on the run escaping arrests. Millions are starving,” the cardinal laments in his Easter message released March 31.
In a note of hope, the cardinal tells, “A wounded nation can find solace in Christ who underwent all that we are undergoing: He was tortured, he was abused, and he was killed on the Cross by arrogant powers. He felt the same sense of abandonment by God, felt by so many of our Youth.”
Recalling the Gospel story of women at Jesus tomb, the cardinal says, “Three women go to the grave to anoint Jesus body. They did not find him, but they found a young man. Yes. It reminds us of what is happening around us. Women and Youth of Myanmar. Empty the tombs. The message out of them is resurrection, a new world.”
Contextualizing Easter message the cardinal further says, “to the Youth, to the army, the civil society, ethnic groups and all religious groups. The Resurrection has two powerful symbols : An empty grave opened; and a tortured and crucified Jesus resurrected in glory knocking out the darkness.”
The cardinal called for four types of resurrection for the people of Myanmar. First, “the dreams of democracy buried for the last two months in the graves of oppression be resurrected. Second, Let the civil government which was aborted and buried be resurrected and let the army return to barracks, respect people’s verdict – do not attack Myanmar citizens and kill them. Third, Let all hatred between ethnic groups and religions be buried forever, let a new Myanmar of peace, inclusiveness, concern for the vulnerable rise from the graves of historical hatred. Fourth, In the opened empty graves, bury the seven decades of totalitarianism.”
In a note of assurance to youth cardinal says, “The struggle so far has drawn huge support from all men and women of good will. Youth have proved to the world, when evil asserts it must be resisted, even at the risk of losing life. In poignant show of humanity, those who died young, donated their body and blood to the future of others, shaming cowards who celebrated every killing.”
The cardinal reminded protesting youth to “defeat [the enemy] with love, defeat him with humanity. That was the message of the Cross. That is the destiny of this nation. Let a new Myanmar of peace and prosperity rise from the grave of hatred and darkness.”
In conclusion, the cardinal encouraged youth to continue adopt non violent methods saying, “Do not die unnecessarily. If you live long, democracy is strengthened, the evil is weakened. The enemy knows only one language : ruthless violence. Silence that language. He wants you to draw you into his violent turf, where he is powerful. Deny him that turf advantage.”