True Black Nazarene devotees show Christ-like love, says priest

By: Charie Abarca - 10 months ago

MANILA, Philippines — Despite odds and grievances, true Black Nazarene devotees stand out as they know how to love like Jesus, a priest said during Tuesday’s morning mass at Quiapo Church in Manila.

“Kung gusto nating tunay na makita si Hesus, magmahal kagaya ni Hesus — ang tunay na deboto ay marunong umibig. At anong klaseng pag-ibig? Pag-ibig na handang sumunod kay Hesus,” said Rev. Fr. Paul Enrique Gungon IV.

(If we really want to see Jesus, love like Jesus — a true devotee knows how to love. And what kind of love? A love that is ready to follow Jesus.)

Gungon said the times we love are also when God shows up.

“Sometimes we ask the Lord — Lord, where are you? But it’s also good to ask ourselves — do I love? Am I capable of loving? Because the times you love are the times you see Jesus,” said Gungon, partly in Filipino.

Gungon then appealed to Catholic devotees to let go of their selfish desires and instead embrace characteristics that glorify Jesus.

“Yun din ang pakiusap namin — kung gusto talaga nating makita ang Panginoon, huwag maging makasarili. Kung gusto talaga nating makita ang Panginoon, tumulong, magbigay at magmahal, dahil sa mga ganyang paraan tunay ngang makikita natin si Hesus,” he emphasized.

(That’s our plea — if we really want to see the Lord, don’t be selfish. If we really want to see the Lord, then we should help, give, and love because, in those ways, we can truly see Jesus.)

In time for the Feast of the Black Nazarene, devotees were likewise urged to remember all the goodness, blessing, grace, love, and mercy that the Black Nazarene “continues to grant His people.”

“Tunay nating makikita na kailanman si Hesus ay hindi tayo iniwan sa ating buhay,” said Gungon.

(We will genuinely see that Jesus has never left us.)

Over a million people have gathered to join the much-awaited return of the Black Nazarene procession.

The religious event was put on hold in recent years due to the Covid-19 pandemic.