FINDING ANSWERS
There’s no doubt that devotees are saddened that the galloping coronavirus cases caused the cancellation this January of the usual activities in traditional religious festivals like Manila’s Feast of the Black Nazarene, Cebu’s Sinulog, Iloilo’s Dinagyang, and Aklan’s Ati-Atihan.
But despite the cancellation of pre-pandemic activities like processions and street dancing that accompany the festivities, there’s also no doubt that religious fervor and piety would never waver in the hearts of those who feel intense devotion to Señor Sto. Niño and Nuestro Padre Jesus Nazareno.
Indeed, intense devotion to God – usually in full display especially during the phenomenal frenzy of the Traslacion which traditionally highlighted the Feast of the Black Nazarene in previous years – can be so overwhelming and baffling to many, particularly foreigners amazed at the multitude of devotees impervious to hunger, fatigue and suffering.
But those bewildered can find enlightenment in the biblical story (Luke 7:36-50) of a sinful woman who wets with her tears, wipes with her hair, and pours expensive perfume on the feet of Jesus who tells her: “Your sins are forgiven; your faith has saved you.”
Grasping the power of God’s mercy helps one understand the intense devotion. Trying to comprehend what we Filipinos term as “Awa ng Diyos” may enlighten one on the reasons for our existence, and why blessings come our way in various times in our lives, even when all our sinfulness makes us undeserving of such blessings.
While the fulfillment of a “panata” to the Black Nazarene usually concerns the aspirations of one’s family, relatives, and close friends, many hope that the raw manifestation of piety would eventually focus on aspirations for the entire country.
President Duterte made a good point in his message to the country last Sunday during the observance of the Feast of the Black Nazarene.
“Although we may not be able to take part in the usual Traslacion activities that have marked the celebration for centuries, let us keep on demonstrating our faith by praying for our country’s recovery and for humanity’s complete healing, especially from the ill effects of the COVID-19 pandemic,” the presidential message said.
Indeed, our country’s recovery ought to be the focus of our collective prayers especially now when the worsening pandemic situation would inflict more economic hardships on Filipinos. But even before the pandemic, the Philippines has been continually beset by the same old problems of poverty, rampant corruption, criminality and injustice, and a host of other ills afflicting our society.
It’s lamentable that our nation’s problems – for which I’ve fought for solutions while a student activist starting at age 17 who nearly died as bullets killed a man beside me during a violent rally in the 70’s – remain unchanged. The cold stats still show a grim reality of how many Filipinos go hungry every day, of how many Filipinos just die without even seeing a doctor or getting medication, of how billions of pesos in public funds go to waste or stolen by the corrupt.
Let’s pray that a better Philippines would emerge from our intense devotion to God. With about 95 percent of 100 million Filipinos professing to be Christians, it should not be difficult for us to believe that God has a wonderful plan for us and that our country is truly blessed.
Especially so as God’s promise – “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord” – is displayed in our money. “Pinagpala ang Bayan na ang Diyos ay ang Panginoon” is the local translation of the Holy Bible’s Psalm 33, Verse 12, printed in Philippine currency notes since 2010.
Let us all be united in the following expression of affirmation sourced from the Holy Bible: Aking Pananalig - Ako ay Pilipino, nagmamahal sa bayan. Naniniwala ako na ang Diyos ay may plano para sa akin, na ako at aking pamilya ay mabuhay na ganap at kasiya-siya (Juan 10:10); Na ang pamahalaan at mga pinuno ay itinakda ng Diyos na mga lingkod Niya sa ikabubuti ng bayan (Roma 13:4);
Na katungkulan ko bilang mamamayan na ipatupad ang nais ng Diyos na pumili ng mga pinuno na magsisilbi ng mabuti, malinis, marangal at may kakayahan; At kung ang pamamalakad ma’y maging lihis at di tapat, aalamin ko ang dapat gawin, at walang takot na kikilos, dahil may kapanalig akong tapat ding kikilos, kasama ang Diyos na gabay at sanggalang (Awit 23:4).
At kung paglilingkod ma’y maging tawag ng Diyos, ako at aking angkan sa Diyos ay maglilingkod (Josue 24:15). May pag-asa akong hinaharap (Jeremiah 29:11) na sa piling ng Diyos giginhawa ang buhay ko, at ibabalik Niya sa lupain natin ang katiwasayan at kasaganaan (2 Cronica 7:14).
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