Message from the Nazarene

A day before the Black Nazarene procession in Quiapo, President Aquino warned of bomb threats. Observers thought only a few would dare join the procession. It was the complete opposite. Never in the history of the Black Nazarene was there an ocean of devotees, about 6.5 million people in all. It was also the longest procession, 22 hours from dawn to dawn, nine hours longer than the usual. All four wheels of the carrosa broke down, ironically right at the heart of the Muslim enclave, a sign perhaps of the bond among common Muslims and Christians. People slept on the pavement, waiting for the image to pass their street. When the local government wanted to make a short cut due to the delay, residents came out in droves to protest.

There are two messages in this historic affair, one from the Nazarene, and the other from the Filipino devotees. The message from the devotees is a simple prayer: “We will never abandon You, Lord, even amid the greatest trials You send us. We will always endure in You.” And the message from the Lord in return is just as simple: “I will never abandon you because you have not abandoned Me. I am the ocean, you are the river. Flow into Me as I flow back into you as rain that nourishes your fields. I am the vine. You are the branches. Abide in Me as I in you.”

—BERNIE LOPEZ,

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