As Filipino Catholics celebrate the “Traslacion,” or the Feast of the Jesus Nazareno of Quiapo, Manila, Manila Archbishop Jose Cardinal Advincula emphasized that true devotion to the Nazareno is rooted in faith and obedience to God.
Speaking during the “misa mayor” at the Quirino Grandstand today, January 9, for the Feast of the Black Nazarene, he urged devotees to embrace a life of trust and submission to God's will.
“If we are true devotees, if we truly love the Black Nazarene, let us be obedient to Him. Let us imitate Him, who was obedient to the Father even unto death. As this year’s theme reminds us, God delights more in our obedience than in our offerings,” Advincula said.
He highlighted that external acts of devotion, such as offerings, are hollow without genuine obedience.
“Obedience is the sign of hope. What we follow reveals what we truly place our hope in. If we offer to the Lord but follow money, it means that money is what we truly rely on,” he said.
Advincula further elaborated that devotion becomes meaningless when paired with contradictory actions, such as following wicked individuals or succumbing to vices.
“If we are devoted to the Lord but follow wicked people, it means we place our trust in those wicked people. If we perform acts of devotion to the Lord but follow vices, it means we truly rely on those vices. And when we follow money, wicked people, vices, or any worldly thing, we will only end up disappointed,” he added.
The Manila Public Information Office reported that around 70,000 devotees attended the mass before the “Traslacion,” or the solemn procession of the image of the Nazarene from Quirino Grandstand to Quiapo Church.
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