A Christian's continuing cry for Justice:
As the Nazarene's 'Andas' pulled harder towards the way
As the Nazarene's 'Andas' pulled harder towards the way
The Traslación is an annual religious procession in Manila, where the Black Nazarene, a life-sized statue of Jesus Christ, is paraded through the streets. Devotees, many barefoot, follow the statue with deep reverence, demonstrating their profound faith in Christ’s suffering and a desire for healing, forgiveness, and grace. For many, this is more than a ritual; it is an expression of unity with Christ's passion, sacrifice, and ultimate resurrection.
For those who participate in the Traslación, this is not just a procession of religious expression; it is, in a sense, a battle against personal suffering and a declaration of resistance against the trials that life brings.
The words of the Apostle Paul resonate deeply here: “For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38-39). The perseverance of the devotees, in their fervent journey through the streets of Quiapo, mirrors this unshakable belief. Their physical exhaustion and emotional intensity become a metaphor for the challenges and burdens they endure for their faith.
However, there are those who argue that Christians should abandon their veneration of the Black Nazarene and other holy symbols that have been cherished for centuries. They do not understand the profound significance of these devotions. They fail to recognize that it is through the passion, suffering, and resurrection of Christ that the foundation of the Christian faith was established. The Black Nazarene, with His image of Christ carrying the cross, is not just a symbol of sorrow; it is a symbol of the power of divine love and defiance against tyranny.
The Black Nazarene represents a reflection of Christ’s own sacrifice for humanity. It is through His suffering and death that the victory over sin and death was won, and this victory carries with it a charge for all who follow Him. The procession of the Black Nazarene and the devotion to His passion have transcended simple remembrance—they are a call to action. The walk of the Nazarene, bearing the cross through the streets, is not just a historical event; it is a call to every believer to take up their cross and follow Him, to live lives of courage, resistance, and justice.
Christ’s journey to Calvary, marked by His rejection of the powers that sought to crush Him, serves as the model for every Christian who seeks to stand firm against injustice. "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 5:10). This divine message of defiance, made manifest through Christ’s “No” to evil, to tyranny, to oppression, must be carried out daily and everywhere. The message of the Black Nazarene is clear: no matter how great the empire of sin and oppression, a small but committed group can stand firm against it in the name of justice and righteousness. And now as it invites every faithful to reflect on the suffering of Christ, whose death on the cross is seen as the ultimate act of sacrificial love. Jesus himself said, “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13). The Black Nazarene, with its suffering Christ, whose words said "I'm Thirst" during his passion symbolizes this profound act of selflessness, which devotees recall as they follow the procession, often enduring physical hardship in the hopes of obtaining spiritual healing.
The Black Nazarene’s journey is an emblem not of a defeated people, but of a people called to militant faith. The cross He bore was not only a symbol of suffering but also of the unwavering resistance to the forces of darkness. His cry of suffering echoes the cry of all who have been oppressed and marginalized, and it is this cry that Christians must answer. Many who criticize the tradition of honoring the Black Nazarene fail to see the depth of its spiritual and political significance. They mistakenly view the devotion to the cross as nothing more than a display of grief, but in reality, it is a radical declaration of faith and defiance against all forms of injustice.
The enemies of Christ’s message—those who perpetuate cruelty, injustice, and sin—fear the powerful cry of the oppressed. This cry, embodied in the suffering of Christ and symbolized by the Black Nazarene, is a force that calls Christians not only to personal devotion but also to resistance. It is the cry of solidarity with the poor, the marginalized, the persecuted, and those who stand against tyranny. It is a shout of victory against evil, for in the end, Christ’s death on the cross was not a defeat, but the greatest victory ever won.
The procession of the Black Nazarene, with its powerful display of faith, is an embodiment of resistance. It is an act of defiance, a statement that, just as Christ carried His cross, so too must His followers bear witness to the truth and stand firm against the injustice that pervades the world. This devotion is not passive, but active. It is not about a helpless weeping nation, but about a nation empowered by faith to rise up against oppression and proclaim the message of justice.
To the youth, to the next generation of Christians, the call is clear: Do not allow the message of the Black Nazarene to become trivialized. It is not a mere tradition of sorrow, but a profound act of militant faith. The rituals of the Passion of Christ, including the veneration of the Black Nazarene, are not merely commemorations of past events; they are calls to live out the example of Christ in a world that continues to be ravaged by injustice. It is a challenge to every Christian to stand firm in their faith, to resist the powers that seek to oppress, and to fight for justice.
This is not about mourning for the sake of mourning. As the Apostle Paul reminds us: "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good" (Romans 12:21). The Black Nazarene, like Christ’s own suffering, is a reminder that faith requires action, courage, and resilience. As Christians, they are called to participate in the ongoing battle between good and evil, between justice and oppression. The cross they bear is not simply a symbol of personal suffering, but a public declaration of their opposition to the forces of injustice and cruelty.
The Black Nazarene is a sign—a political and spiritual sign—of resistance. It is not merely a relic of the past, but a living call to continue the work of Christ, to proclaim liberty to the captives, to heal the brokenhearted, and to stand with the oppressed. These devotions and rituals must be kept alive, for they serve as powerful reminders that Christ’s mission continues to be relevant today. The Black Nazarene’s path is the path of resistance, the path of courage, and the path of justice.
As the Bible states: "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me" (Matthew 16:24). The Black Nazarene’s walk is the Christian walk, a walk that leads to Calvary, to resurrection, and to the ultimate triumph of justice. Christians must continue to follow that path, bearing witness to the truth and standing firm against the forces of evil that seek to oppress the world.
Let no one underestimate the power of this devotion. The Black Nazarene is not simply a symbol of sorrow, but a rallying cry for justice, a bold declaration that the way of Christ is the way of defiance against evil, and the way of standing firm for the cause of the oppressed.