TRUE NAZARENO devotees are willing to humble themselves out of love and compassion for the nation, the bishop of Balanga emphasized in the Misa Mayor for the Feast of Jesus Nazareno on Friday, Jan. 9, at Quirino Grandstand.
In his homily, Bishop Rufino Sescon Jr. urged corrupt officials to step down as a sign of “hiya” or shame, and out of courtesy to the poor and suffering.
“Sa ating bayan ngayon, may mga ayaw bumaba kahit mali na at bistado na. Ayaw bumaba kahit pahirap na sa bayan. Ayaw bumaba kahit nagdurusa na ang mga mahihirap. Ayaw bumaba kahit binabaha na at nasisira na ang bayan. Ayaw bumaba kahit karapat-dapat,” Sescon, a member of the Priestly Fraternities of St. Dominic, said in his homily.
Reflecting on Nazareno 2026’s theme, “Dapat siyang tumaas at ako nama’y bumaba,” which is based on the Gospel of John, Sescon said those who humble themselves will be lifted up by the Lord.
The Balanga prelate added that genuine devotees are those who truly listen to Jesus and who lift others through love.
“Ang namamanata, ang kumakapit at humihila ng lubid, ang mga nagpipingga at pumapasan, ang mga sumasalya at humahalik sa Kanyang paanan, ay dapat lalong nakakapakinig sa Diyos,” Sescon said.
Devotees must also answer Jesus’s call to help the poor and the needy and victims of injustice, the bishop added.
“Kung bumaba si Jesus Nazareno para iangat tayo, tinatawag din niya tayong makibahagi para iangat ang ating bayan, kapwa, at dangal ng bawat isa,” Sescon said.
The bishop and former Quiapo church rector urged devotees to set aside personal interests for the greater good of all.
“Hindi ito nakukuha kung sino ang makaangat sa andas. Hindi ito masusukat kung sino ang makakahila ng lubid. Ang tunay na deboto’y nasusukat kung sino ang tunay na nakikinig kay Jesus Nazareno at natututo rin iangat ang kaniyang kapwa para sa pagmamahal,” Sescon concluded.
The Misa Mayor was attended by about 117,000 devotees, according to the Quiapo Church Command Post.
The carriage or andas of the image of Jesus Nazareno left Quirino Grandstand at 4 a.m., earlier than last year’s 4:41 a.m., and was joined by 270,000 devotees. Alexandra Gabrielle C. Mansineros
