Manila Archbishop Jose Cardinal Advincula presides over the Misa Mayor in honor of the Jesus Nazareno at the Quirino Grandstand on Thursday, Jan. 9. (Photo by Karla Louise B. Maningas/ The Varsitarian)

EMULATING the teachings of Jesus instead of giving in to vices and following evil men is the true devotion toward Jesus the Nazarene, Manila Archbishop Jose Cardinal Advincula told the faithful during the Misa Mayor at midnight on Thursday, Jan. 9, at Quirino Grandstand.

Reflecting on the Traslacion 2025 theme “Mas mabuti ang pagsunod kaysa paghahandog sa mga umaasa kay Hesus,” Advincula urged devotees to let go of their vices when seeking out Jesus.

Kung namamanata tayo sa Señor 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 sa ano mang bagay ng mundo, mabibigo lamang tayo. Madidismaya lamang tayo,” the archbishop said in his homily.

Siya ang Mahal na Poong Nazareno. Kaya’t Siya ang sundin natin. Ang mga utos niya ang isabuhay natin. Ang mga aral niya ang isapuso natin. Ang halimbawa niya ang tularan natin. Mas mabuti ang pagsunod sa Mahal na Señor.”

This obedience, Advincula said, is a sign of hope.

Pag-asa kay Hesus at pagsunod kay Hesus–ito ang mga tanda ng tunay na deboto.  Ipangako natin ito kay Hesus na siya lang maaasahan natin. Siya ang lagi nating sundin.

In contrast with the usual Filipino saying, “Habang may buhay, may pag-asa,” Advincula emphasized that having hope is also a sustenance of life.

Hangga’t meron tayong pag-asa, meron tayong buhay…Buháy ang pag-asa natin dahil buhay ang Mahal na Señor. Nabubuhay siya sa mga puso natin. Nabubuhay siya sa paligid natin.  Nabubuhay siya kasama natin.  Huwag na tayong magpapátay-pátay,” he said.

More than 230,000 devotees flocked to the Quirino Grandstand for the Misa Mayor, according to the Nazareno Operation Center.

The carriage or andas of Jesus Nazareno, enclosed in a newly improved glass case with a sunroof, departed Quirino Grandstand at 4:41 a.m. after the morning prayer. 

The carriage or andas of Jesus Nazareno prepares to depart Quirino Grandstand at 4:41 a.m. after the morning prayer. (Photo by ikyla Rosette C. Bernabe/ The Varsitarian)

As of 12 p.m., according to the Nazareno Operation Center, almost 200,000 maroon-clad and barefoot devotees have joined the procession. With reports from Marielle F. Pesa

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