On first novena night, Black Nazarene faithful told: Believe even if petitions aren’t granted yet
Niño Jesus Orbeta/Philippine Daily Inquirer
MANILA, Philippines — Devotees of the Black Nazarene should continue to believe and come closer to God even if their petitions have not been granted yet, the parochial vicar of the Minor Basilica or the Quiapo Church said.
During the early Saturday morning mass, Rev. Fr. Hans Magdurulang reminded devotees that they gather at the Quirino Grandstand — and participate in the various activities laid down by the Catholic Church — not just because they have supplications that need answers.
Instead, the faithful are gathered because they have a lot to thank for.
“Mga kapatid, itong gagawin nating pagpupugay, ay hindi lang paghingi ng bagong biyaya. Kaya natin gagawin ang tatlong hating-gabing na ito dahil pare-pareho tayo, lahat tayo maraming ipinagpapasalamat sa Poong Hesus Nazareno […] Kagaya ng lagi kong sinasabi, kung meron mang isang mahalagang bagay na dapat, dapat itinuro sa atin ng debosyong ito […] ‘yan ay ang manalig,” Magdurulang said.
(Brothers and sisters, this activity we are doing is not just to seek new blessings. We are doing these three-night novena because all of us, we have a lot to thank for and give praise to the Black Nazarene. As I have always said, if we have at least one lesson learned from being a devotee, it’s about having faith.)
“Ang pananampalataya ng totoong deboto, kahit wala pa, kahit hindi pa, naniniwala ka. Pero ‘wag mong kalimutan, ang tunay at mabuting deboto, lalapit, humihingi sa Diyos nang may pagtitiwala. Ibibigay ng Diyos ang sapat at dapat para sa’yo, kung kalooban niya,” he added.
(The faith of the true devotee never falters, even if it is not there, they continue to believe. Also don’t forget: the true devotee comes to God, asking with immense faith. God will give what is due and right for you, if he wills it.)
Magdurulang also reflected on the gospel for the day, which is about Jesus Christ’s first miracle according to the Catholic belief — the Wedding at Cana — wherein Christ turned water into wine upon the request of his mother Mary, despite him insisting that it is not yet the time for him to perform miracles.
It is believed that Christ saved the newlyweds from disappointment and shame, as wine ran out even before the celebrations could finish.
The parochial vicar of the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene noted that devotees should follow Mary’s lead and advice, as she told people at the wedding to just follow Jesus’ directives.
“Sa unang araw ng pagpupugay, sinasamahan tayo ni Maria — nandito ang imahen ng Birhen ng Antipolo — sa unang araw ng pagpupugay natin, sinasamahan tayo ni Maria, ang modelo, ang ina ng bawat alagad ni Kristo, sinasamahan niya tayo na matuto tayong sumunod — hindi lang sa kalooban ng Diyos, kun’di sa paraan ng Diyos,” Magdurulang said.
(On the first day of the novena, Mary accompanies us — the image of the Virgin of Antipolo is here — on our first day, Mary is with us, the model, the mother of Christ’s followers, she accompanies and teaches us how to follow not only the will of God, but the way of God.)
“Sa ating ebanghelyo, sa unang himalang ginawa ni Hesus sa kasalan, nandoon ang kanyang ina, para turuan, para gabayan ang mga taong lumalapit. Pati ang mga hindi lumalapit sa kanyang anak, isa lang ang bili ni Maria sa kanyang mga alagad noon, at sa ating mga alagad ngayon, pareho lang ang sinasabi ni Maria: Gawin ninyo ang anumang sabihin niya sa inyo,” he added.
(In our gospel today, the first miracle of Jesus at the wedding, his mother was there to guide and teach people coming to Christ, and even those who are not approaching him. Mary has one reminder to Christ’s followers of the past and present: Do whatever he tells you.)
Magdurulang also urged devotees to question themselves and assess if the things they are doing are really for the glory of God, or if it is for their own self-satisfaction.
“Hindi lang tayong mga tinatawag na deboto, bilang mga Kristyano, bilang matinong tao, tanungin natin ang sarili natin: tama pa ba, mabuti pa ba ang ginagawa ko?” he said.
(We are not merely called devotees. As Christians, as good humans, let us ask ourselves: are we doing the right thing, do my actions reflect goodness?)
“Sa pagsisimula ng bagong taon na ito, bago natin ipagpatuloy ang mga ginagawa natin, ang mga paandar natin, ang mga pinapakita natin sa buhay, tanungin muna natin ang sarili natin: naaayon pa ba sa tinuturo at inuutos ng Diyos ang mga iniisip, ang mga sinasabi, ang mga ginagawa ko? Talaga bang ‘Lord, para sa’yo, dahil sa’yo’, o ‘yong totoo, ‘yong alam at gusto mo lang ang sinusunod mo,” he added.
(For the start of this new year, before we proceed with our activities, our norms, and our lives, let us ask ourselves: are the things that I am doing or saying in accordance with the teachings and commandments of the God? Is it really for the Lord, or are we just following what we want to do?)
While the traditional Traslacion or the procession of the Black Nazarene image was not yet allowed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, authorities expect more people to flock to Quiapo Church with restrictions relaxed and infections steadily at a low number.
READ: No ‘Traslacion’ in 2023, says Quiapo Church priest
Last Wednesday, the local government of Manila also announced that they are suspending work and classes on Monday in anticipation of the huge crowds that would troop to Quiapo for the festivities.
According to the Manila Police District, they expect that the 2023 Feast of the Black Nazarene would draw around five million devotees — matching pre-pandemic numbers.
