Manila Archbishop Jose Cardinal Advincula warned against becoming slaves to money and vices, saying that doing so will only lead to failure or disappointment, during his homily for the Feast of Jesus Nazareno on Thursday, Jan. 9.
During the midnight Mass at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila, Advincula emphasized the theme of this year’s feast, drawing inspiration from the first book of the Prophet Samuel (15:22).
He urged devotees to reflect on two key lessons—hope in Jesus and obedience to Him—and stressed that obedience is more pleasing than sacrifice for those who hope in Jesus.
“Sa totoo lang, ang pagsunod ang tanda ng pag-asa. Kung ano ang sinusunod natin, yun talaga talaga ang inaasahan natin. Kung naghahandog tayo sa Senyor, pero sumusunod naman tayo sa pera, ibig sabihin, pera talaga ang inaasahan natin. Kung nagdedebosyon tayo sa Senyor, pero sumusunod naman tayo sa masamang tao, ibig sabihin, masamang tao ang inaasahan natin. Kung namamanata tayo sa Senyor, pero sumusunod naman tayo sa bisyo, ibig sabihin, bisyo talaga ang inaasahan natin. At kapag susunod tayo sa pera, sa masamang tao, sa bisyo, o anumang bagay ng mundo, mabibigo lamang tayo,” Advincula told thousands of devotees gathered for the annual gathering.
(Honestly, obedience is a sign of hope. What we follow is truly what we expect. If we offer to the “Señor” but follow money, it means we are really expecting money. If we devote ourselves to the Señor but follow bad people, it means we are expecting bad people. If we perform devotions to the Señor but follow vices, it means we are expecting vices. And when we follow money, bad people, vices, or anything in the world, we will only fail.)
Advincula’s homily continued with a message about obedience to Jesus.
“Kung tunay tayong deboto, kung totoong mahal natin ang Poong Hesus Nazareno, maging masunurin tayo sa kanya. Gayahin natin sya, na masunurin sa Ama magpahanggang kamatayan. Sabi sa ating tema ngayong taon, mas kinalulugdan ng Diyos ang ating pagsunod kaysa paghahandog),” he said.
(If we are true devotees, if we truly love Jesus Nazareno, let us be obedient to Him. Let us imitate Him, obedient to the Father even unto death. As our theme for this year says, God delights more in our obedience than in our offerings.)