Balanga Bishop Rufino Coronel Sescon Jr. on Friday called on government officials and individuals in authority to voluntarily relinquish power when tainted by corruption, urging them to follow the humility of Jesus the Nazarene for the good of the nation.
In his homily during the High Mass for the Feast of the Black Nazarene on Friday, Bishop Sescon stressed that humility, self-sacrifice, and accountability are essential virtues for leaders, especially at a time when corruption continues to burden the country.
“Matuto tayo kay Jesus Nazareno na bumaba ng kusa alang-alang sa pag-ibig (let’s learn from Jesus to step down voluntarily for the sake of love),” the bishop said.
He emphasized that genuine devotion to the Black Nazarene must be expressed through integrity, honest service, and concern for the suffering poor.
VP Sara: Time for reflection, gratitude
Meanwhile, Vice President Sara Duterte described the Feast of the Black Nazarene as a time for reflection and gratitude, emphasizing that the feast goes beyond tradition, serving as a call for repentance and thanksgiving.
In a statement released Friday, Duterte reminded Filipinos that devotion to the Black Nazarene symbolizes Jesus’ love, sacrifice, and humility.
“Sa bawat taon, ang bawat hakbang na tinatahak ng mga deboto, sa kabila ng hirap at pagsubok, ay nagpapatibay sa ating pananampalataya,” she said.
(Every year, the steps taken by devotees, despite challenges and hardships, strengthen our faith.)
Speaker: Traslacion mirrors Filipino resilience
Speaker Faustino Dy III also joined the Catholic faithful in celebrating the Feast of the Black Nazarene, saying the traditional Translacion mirrors the resilience of Filipinos in the face of hardship.
“Magkakaiba man ang mga pagsubok, iisa ang pinanghahawakang lakas upang magpatuloy (Even if our trials may differ, only one source of strength sustains us all),” Dy, representative of Isabela’s sixth district, said in a statement.
“Sa pagtitipon ng milyun-milyong deboto, malinaw kung gaano katatag ang mga Pilipino. Kapag may problema, kumakapit. Kapag napagod, humihinto sandali at nagpapatuloy. Kapag nadapa, bumabangon.”
(In the gathering of millions of devotees, it is evident how resilient Filipinos are. When faced with problems, they hold on. When tired, they pause for a moment and continue. When they stumble, they rise again).
Bishop: Some leaders refuse to step aside
Bishop Sescon lamented that despite clear signs of wrongdoing, corruption, and abuse of authority, some leaders refuse to step aside, choosing instead to cling to power while ordinary citizens bear the consequences.
“Ang pagbaba ni Kristo ay hindi bunga ng pagkatalo, kahinaan, o pagkawala ng kapangyarihan, ito ay malayang pasya ng pag-ibig (The descent of Christ is not the result of defeat, weakness, or loss of power, it is a free decision of love),” he said.
The prelate said remaining in office amid corruption deepens public suffering and erodes moral leadership.
“Mga kapatid, matuto tayo kay Jesus Nazareno na bumaba ng kusa alang-alang sa pag-ibig. Sa ating bayan ngayon, may mga ayaw bumaba kahit mali na at bistado na,” he said.
(Brothers and sisters, let us learn from Jesus of Nazareth to descend voluntarily for the sake of love. In our country today, there are those who do not want to descend even though it is wrong and obvious).”
“Ayaw bumaba kahit pahirap na sa bayan. Ayaw bumaba kahit nagdurusa na ang mahihirap. Ayaw bumaba kahit binabaha na at nasisira na ang bayan. Ayaw bumaba kahit hindi karapat-dapat,” the bishop said.
(They don’t want to come down even if it’s making things difficult for the people. They don’t want to come down even if the poor are suffering. They don’t want to come down even if the people are being flooded and destroyed. They don’t want to come down even if they don’t deserve it).
Sescon echoes ‘Mahiya naman kayo’
Sescon also used the famous line of President Marcos Jr., saying “mahiya naman kayo” (be ashamed) for the sake of mercy and love.
This year’s festival theme was derived from John 3:30, which reads “Dapat siyang tumaas at ako nama’y bumaba” (He must become greater; I must become less).
The Vice President, meanwhile, expressed hope that the Black Nazarene may serve as an inspiration for the public to embody the teachings of love in God’s plan.
“Nawa’y magsilbing inspirasyon ang Itim na Nazareno upang patuloy nating isabuhay ang turo ng pag-ibig at pagtitiwala sa plano ng Diyos (May the Black Nazarene serve as an inspiration for us to continue living out the teachings of love and trust in God’s plan),” she added.
Dy: God with us ‘every step of the way’
Dy said the occasion reminds that “God is with us every step of the way.”
“Ang Itim na Nazareno ay hindi nangangakong mawawala ang hirap. Sa halip, ipinapaalala Niya na may lakas upang bumangon at may Diyos na kasama sa bawat hakbang,” the House chief said.
(The Black Nazarene does not promise that hardship will disappear. Instead, He reminds us that there is strength to rise again and that God is with us at every step.)
He added that the Translacion also teaches lesson to every public servant like him.
“Ang pamahalaan ay may tungkuling makinig, umunawa, at kumilos lalo na para sa mga higit na nangangailangan. Nawa’y magsilbing paalala ang Traslacion na sa gitna ng hirap, hindi nag-iisa ang sambayanan at may pag-asa hangga’t nagkakaisa,” Dy said.
(The government has the duty to listen, to understand, and to act,especially for those most in need. May the Traslacion serve as a reminder that amid the hardship, the nation is never alone, and there is hope as long as we are united)
The Feast of the Black Nazarene draws millions of devotees annually and remains one of the country’s most powerful religious observances, reflecting themes of sacrifice, repentance, and unwavering faith.
