Advincula to Nazareno devotees: Be role models, emulate Christ’s life

LIVE LIKE CHRIST. Manila Archbishop Jose Cardinal Advincula leads the Mass marking the start of the Traslación of the image of the Black Nazarene at the Quirino Grandstand at midnight on Tuesday (Jan. 9, 2024). The prelate called on the faithful to emulate the life of Jesus by showing compassion to others. (PNA photo by Avito Dalan via Philippine News Agency/Facebook)

MANILA – Manila Archbishop Cardinal Jose Advincula on Tuesday called on devotees of the Black Nazarene to be role models by emulating the life of Jesus Christ.

In his homily during the midnight Mass marking the start of the Traslacion, Advincula urged the public to reflect on three lessons — “to see Jesus, be seen by Jesus, and to show Jesus”.

“Ang tunay na deboto ay modelo. Makikita sa buhay niya ang mismong buhay ni Hesus. Ang deboto ay modelo ng pananalig sa Ama, at pagmamalasakit sa kapwa. Sa bahay man o sa trabaho, sa simbahan man o sa kalsada, dala-dala ng deboto sa puso niya ang pagkikita nila ni Hesus (A real devotee is a model. The life of Jesus can be seen in his/her life. A devotee is a model of faith to the Father and compassion towards others — whether at home, at work, at the church or on the streets, a devotee carries in his/her heart the devotion to Jesus,” the Cardinal added.

He also urged them to show Jesus to each other during the Traslacion.

“Sa paghatak natin ng lubid, ipakita natin si Hesus na humahango sa atin at umaayos sa mga buhol ng mga problema natin. Sa pagsalya natin sa likod ng andas, ipakita natin si Hesus na tumutulak sa atin upang makausad tayo sa pagbabagong-buhay. Sa pagtukod natin sa galaw ng prusisyon, ipakita natin si Hesus na nagliligtas sa atin upang hindi tayo mahulog sa kamalian at kapahamakan. Sa pagtimon natin sa galaw ng andas, ipakita natin si Hesus na gumagabay sa atin sa tamang landas (As we pull the rope, let’s show Jesus who is renewing us and fixing the knots of our problems. As we follow the carriage, let’s show Jesus who is pushing us towards new lives. As we join the procession, let’s show Jesus who is saving us so that we don’t fall into mistakes and disasters),” he added.

He also reminded the faithful of Christ’s healing power, noting that anyone who believes in Jesus Christ would not fall into peril but would reap eternal life.

“Sabi sa Ikalawang Pagbasa, ang Anak ng Diyos ay nagpakumbabang lubusan. Siya ay nagkatawang-tao, at nakiisa sa ating karanasan maging sa kamatayan. At ito ay para makita at makilala nya tayong lubusan (As the second reading said, the Son of God humbled himself. He lived as a human and experienced human life, even death. This is for Him to fully knows us),” he added.

Two images

Meanwhile, the devotees were surprised as organizers used two Black Nazarene images for the activities at the Quirino Grandstand — one for the “Pahalik” and another for the Traslacion or the grand procession of the image from Luneta to the Quiapo Church.

Quiapo Church rector Fr. Jun Sescon said they decided to use two wooden images of the Black Nazarene as the procession would be returning after a three-year hiatus after the pandemic.

In previous editions of the Traslacion, the image of the black Jesus Christ in the “Pahalik” is the same image used for the procession.

This year, the image used in the “Pahalik” which started on Jan. 6 until the start of the Traslacion is called “Callejero Dos” while the “Vicario”, which has the original 400-year-old wooden body including the feet of the image, was utilized in the procession.

“Since this is the first Traslacion after the pandemic, we thought of having a more solemn start of the procession unlike in the past years the Traslacion, they often had a difficult start and we are still adjusting,” the Quiapo rector said in an interview.

He thanked the Lord, officials, the volunteers, and others who helped execute the start of the procession.

Sescon also thanked the devotees for cooperating in making the Traslacion orderly.

The procession started at 4:45 a.m. after the midnight Mass and vigil.

As of 10 a.m Tuesday., the Quiapo Church Command Post estimated the crowd size at the procession at 1,008,000 and 60,500 in Quiapo.