“Jesus Nazareno: Glory in Struggle, Hope in Liberation”
By Ted Tuvera
For the devotees of the Black Nazarene — and there are millions! — the title "Nazarene" or "Nazareno" is revered. But in the biblical and historical context of Jesus of Nazareth, it is rather discriminating. In Jesus' context (and even in the image itself), it is one that is suspect.
For instance, in the first chapter of John's Gospel, when Philip introduced Jesus of Nazareth as "the one about whom Moses wrote in the law, and also the prophets" to Nathanael, the latter responded "Can anything good come from Nazareth?" (Jn 1:45-46)
Imagine it as of almost the same tone when one is warned — with condescension — of people from Manila districts where thugs thrive.
In John's passion narrative, those who were about to arrest Jesus strongly searched for him, identifying him as a criminal "Jesus the Nazorean" (Jn 18:4-5, 7). A condemned criminal hanging, dying on the Cross, Pilate ordered that an inscription be pegged on top of Jesus' head: "Jesus the Nazorean, the King of the Jews." (Jn 19:19)
Imagine it as the condemnation written on placards back at the height of the government's drug war where thousands fell to extrajudicial killings: "Drug Pusher - Huwag tularan!"
The traslacion itself could be imagined as a procession where a condemned criminal is being paraded.
If there is a stand-out message that's worth reckoning about this Filipino tradition, it has to be the solemnity, the glory of God that is found and realized in the people's struggle for justice, for peace, for liberation.
And this is consistent with the whole story of Jesus of Nazareth who was born poor, ministered as a poor itinerant rabbi, and mocked and condemned to death as a poor criminal.
Paul, in that beautiful hymn in his letter to the Philippians, wrote: "Though he was in the form of God, Jesus did not equality with God something to be grasped at. Rather, he emptied himself and took the form of a slave, being born in the likeness of men." (Phil 2:6-7)
Just as there are millions of devotees of the Nazareno, there are also millions of reasons why they (we) flock to him.
Sure, God, Jesus can be glorified in many ways — such as in our fancy liturgies and solemn rituals and hymns (that are all wonderful). But identifying him as the Nazareno draws us to glorify him where he really was, where he really is: in the midst of a people that struggles – journeying in hope along the path of liberation.
VIVA JESUS NAZARENO!