It sometimes amazes me and put me to tears when i see year by year a display of the Filipino's devotion to the Black Nazarene. This phenomenon of devotion reminds me of the episode in the gospel that narrates the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. The people lay down their clothes on the streets for Jesus to pass on, the disciples took palms while the children sang the chorus "Blessed is he who comes in the Name of the Lord, Hossana in the highest!" Jesus thank the Father for revealing these marvelous things to the children and has hid them from the wise. The rich and the proud may mock and belittle the faith of the common people, but the common people has in their simple ways displayed their love and devotion to Christ as represented by the icon of the Black Nazarene.
This form of devotion is not strange. In the Old testament we saw King David dancing before the Ark of the covenant despite of his stature as King of Israel. In the New testament we saw how the people used handkerchiefs in order to be touched by the apostles, and today this practice remains as a form of devotion.
Indeed we Filipinos are fortunate for having this icon with us. Because it points us to our destiny of journeying with the Lord, bearing our cross and hoping for the promised glory and rest. Our sufferings and pains. This form of victimhood cn be join in the passion and death of Christ. Amen
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3 comments:
You couldn't have phrased it any better. I confess, I too tear up whenever I see images of such pious devotion. I'm glad to hear that I'm not alone in appreciating this religiosity really peculiar to the Philippines. It's a blessing that I wish our countrymen would realize is truly exemplary. I enjoy reading your blog. Fight the good fight and God Bless!
Thank you. I think this kind of devotion is an example of a genuine "enculturation" not the fake or false enculturation promoted by modernists of today. This is a kind of simple folk but simple spirituality that if nurtured well can lead us to a higher understanding of the Love, peace and serenity that only Our Lord can give.
Very true doc.
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