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There is a plethora of motives for the veneration of the image of the suffering Christ. For some devotees, it means a pious exercise of atonement, while for others it is a simple heartfelt thanksgiving to the Lord, but the goal is equal: to praise, pray and intercede for deliverance.
The Traslacion is held every January 9 on the feast of the Black Nazarene. It is a spectacular and even scary mammoth, with a seven-kilometer long procession attracting between a million to 1.5 million devotees. What are the reasons for such a show of devotion seemingly edging on fanaticism and idolatry?
Even though the grand procession of the image of the Black Nazarene has been canceled this year due to coronavirus, the devotion to the centuries-old icon of Jesus Christ is unique in the world. Prof. Celia M. Bonilla traces the origins and developments of such deeply-rooted Filipino tradition.
Christianity is relatively new to Asia, but today about 30% of the South Korean population is Christian. Therefore, Christmas (Sung Tan Jul) is celebrated by Christian Korean families and is also a public holiday (even though South Korea is officially Buddhist).
A missionary in South Korea for the past 30 years shares his personal experience of mission, highlighting not so much what he preached, but what people, the poor and the street have taught him about who God is.
It is not easy to believe in a message of joy amidst the agonies of coronavirus that has swept through the world and caused the deaths of hundreds of thousands. In the midst of pain we are urged to stand erect and be Bearers of Hope to usher in a new stage in human history.
Due to this year’s coronavirus there is apprehension and anxiety leading up to Christmas. Bishop Ruperto Santos suggests cultivating three virtues as a way to counteract a widespread pessimism in preparation for the holy season: be fearless, be faithful and be fruitful.
Human beings will never understand why suffering exists, admits the priest and theologian Robin Ryan but concludes: “Even in the midst of our pain, there is God.”
The suffering and death of Jesus was the consequence of His radical Incarnation and insertion into the whole human condition, and of His deep desire to transform that human condition according to the mind of a God of mercy.
Faith turns misfortunes into occasions of blessing and thanksgiving. Surprisingly, sufferings open our eyes to unnoticed realities, provide new motivations, and supply new energies.
