ANSWERING THE OBJECTIONS OF NON-CATHOLIC (EVANGELICAL PROTESTANTS) ABOUT THE FILIPINO FESTIVAL OF SANTO NIÑO DE CEBU. . . DEFENDING THE CATHOLIC FILIPINO FESTIVAL OF SANTO NIÑO DE CEBU SINULOG FEAST THAT DEVOTED TO HOLY CHILD JESUS FROM THE OBJECTIONS OF OTHER NON-CATHOLIC SECTS AGAINST THIS SACRED TRADITION OF CELEBRATING THIS TRADITION IN CEBU, PHILIPPINES. . . OBJECTION # 1: [ nasa biblia ba ang Santo Niño , Sigurado, WALA! Inmbento nyo lang yan mga Katoks, este mga Katolikong pagano.] . (English : does Santo Niño found in the Bible?? For sure, you will read NOTHING, it was invented by the Katoks, or should I say Catholic Pagan. ) . RESPONSE: . WE CAN READ NOTHING IF WE ARE JUST RELYING TO READ AN ENGLISH BIBLE OR FILIPINO (TAGALOG) BIBLE. . WHY DON’T WE USE THE BIBLE OF SPANISH TRANSLATION, SINCE SANTO NIÑO IS NOT AN ENGLISH WORD NOR FILIPINO (TAGALOG) WORD, BUT CAME FROM SPANISH DIALECT. THE BIBLE SAYS: LUCAS 1:35, (LA BIBLIA DE LAS AMÉRICAS) “Respondiendo el ángel, le dijo: El Espíritu Santo vendrá sobre ti, y el poder del Altísimo te cubrirá con su sombra; por eso el SANTO NIÑO que nacerá será llamado Hijo de Dios.” . ENGLISH TRANSLATION, THIS IS WHAT WE READ: . LUKE 1:35 (NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE) The angel answered and said to her, The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and for that reason the HOLY CHILD shall be called the Son of God. . HENCE, THE SPANISH LANGUAGE OF “Santo Niño” TRANSLATED AS “Holy Child” IN ENGLISH, THUS YOU CANNOT FOUND IN THE ENGLISH NOR TAGALOG BIBLE BUT IN SPANISH TRANSLATION BIBLE. . THEN WHO IS NOW THE HOLY CHILD AS THE BIBLE SPEAKS?? . ACTS 4:30 (KING JAMES VERSION) By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy HOLY CHILD JESUS. . SO IT IS JESUS, THE HOLY CHILD IN THE STATUE IMAGE OF THE “SANTO NIÑO” IS JESUS. PATRON OF THE CEBUANOS AND ALL FILIPINOS. . . . OBJECTION # 2: [ Bakit Señor ang tawag sa kanya, eh gayong bata naman sya? ] . (English: why you Catholics called him as “Señor”, the fact that holy Child Jesus is still a Child?? ] . RESPONSE: . WHAT AN IGNORANT QUESTION, THE WORD SEÑOR IS CAME FROM THE SPANISH WORD MEANS “LORD”. AND OBVIOUSLY WE DO NOT DENY THAT JESUS CHRIST IS LORD, THE BIBLE SAYS: . LUCAS 1:43 (LA BIBLIA DE LAS AMÉRICAS) ¿Por qué me ha acontecido esto a mí, que la madre de mi SEÑOR venga a mí? . APOCALIPSIS 22:21 (LA BIBLIA DE LAS AMÉRICAS) “La gracia del SEÑOR Jesús sea con todos. Amén.” . 2 TESALONICENSES 3:18 (La Biblia de las Américas) “La gracia de nuestro SEÑOR Jesucristo sea con todos vosotros.” . FILEMÓN 1:5 (LA BIBLIA DE LAS AMÉRICAS) “porque oigo de tu amor y de la fe que tienes hacia el Señor Jesús y hacia todos los santos;” . ENGLISH TRANSLATION, THIS IS WHAT WE READ: . REVELATION 22:21 (NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE) “The grace of the LORD Jesus be with all. Amen.” . 2 THESSALONIAN 3:18 (NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE) “The grace of our LORD Jesus Christ be with you all.” . PHILEMON 1:5 (NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE) “because I hear of your love and of the faith which you have toward the LORD Jesus and toward all the saints;” . THUS THE BIBLE VERSES REFERRING TO JESUS IS LORD. HE IS SEÑOR AS TRANSLATED IN SPANISH WORD. . . . OBJECTION #3 [ sa ginagawa nyo , pag samba na yan sa ipinoprosisyon nyong Rebulto] . (English: what you practicing like the procession towards statues is an act of worship.) . RESPONSE: . NO, CATHOLICS NEVER WORSHIP STATUES, AND EVEN THE PRACTICE OF PROCESSIONING IS NOT CONSIDERABLE AS AN ACT OF WORSHIP. ACCORDING TO “CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH”: . CCC #1674-1675 [1674] Besides sacramental liturgy and sacramentals, catechesis must take into account the forms of piety and popular devotions among the faithful. The religious sense of the Christian people has always found EXPRESSION IN VARIOUS FORMS OF PIETY surrounding the Churchs sacramental life, such as the veneration of relics, visits to sanctuaries, pilgrimages, PROCESSIONS, the stations of the cross, RELIGIOUS DANCES, the rosary, medals,[178] etc. . [1675] THESE EXPRESSIONS OF PIETY EXTEND THE LITURGICAL LIFE OF THE CHURCH, BUT DO NOT REPLACE IT. They should be so drawn up that they harmonize with the liturgical seasons, accord with the sacred liturgy, are in some way derived from it and lead the people to it, since in fact the liturgy by its very nature is far superior to any of them.[179] . SEE ? THE CATHOLIC DOCTRINE CLEARLY ADDRESSED IN “CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH” (CCC) THAT ANY VARIOUS FORM OF FAITHFULNESS AND DEVOUTNESS LIKE PROCESSIONS, RELIGIOUS DANCES, PILGRIMAGE AND SUCH OTHER ACTIVITIES DO NOT EXCHANGE THE TRUE GOD WHERE IN FACT IT EXTENDS THE LITURGICAL LIFE OF THE CHURCH. THUS THE CHURCH AUTHORITIES NEVER TEACH TO WORSHIP THE LITERAL STATUES AND ITS VISIBLE IMAGES, BUT THE GOD ALONE. . ANOTHER THING IS, CATHOLIC CHURCH DO NOT VIEW THE STATUES AND IMAGES AS GOD. THE CATHOLIC DOCTRINE CLEARLY TELLS: CCC # 2132 the honor paid to SACRED IMAGES IS A RESPECTFUL VENERATION NOT THE ADORATION due to god alone: RELIGIOUS WORSHIP IS NOT DIRECT IMAGES IN THEMSELVES, considered as mere things, but under their distinctive aspect as images leading us on to god incarnate. the movement toward the images does not terminate in it as image, but tends toward that whose image it is . SEE? ONCE AGAIN, WORSHIP IS NOT DIRECT IMAGES IN THEMSELVES, BUT THESE SACRED IMAGES IS A RESPECTFUL VENERATION (honor & respect), AND NOT FOR THE ADORATION (to worship). BESIDES, CATHOLIC HAS NO ANY TEACHINGS TO WORSHIP THIS SUCH KIND OF ENGRAVE OBJECTS LIKE STATUES AND IMAGES. . FOR THOSE NON-CATHOLICS WHO ACCUSING CATHOLICS FOR THE IDOLATRY (by worshiping false God) IS NOT TRUE. THEY NEVER EVER UNDERSTAND IT UNLESS THEY ARE CATHOLIC. INSTEAD THEY ACCUSING FALSELY LIE IN THEY WHICH VIOLATES 1 OF THE 10 COMMANDMENTS OF GOD. BIBLE SAYS: . EXODUS 20:16 (NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION) “You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor. . . . OBJECTION # 4 [ kung hindi nyo nga sinasamba bakit sinasayawan ang mga imaheng rebulto sa pag proprosisyon tuwing fiesta ng sinulog?? kaya nag mumukang Pagano kayo?? katawatawa, at wala tayong mababasa sa biblia na nag utos ag Dios na sayawan ito tuwing fiesta..] . (English: if Catholics do not worship it, then why some people Dance before this Image while in the procession during this festival of Sinulog? that makes you like a Pagans, and you will read nothing in the bible that God’s instructs to dance before the Statues / Images during the festival. ) . RESPONSE: . WE WILL READ NOTHING IF WE ARE FOCUSING IN JUST INSTRUCTION OF GOD TO MAN ALONE, BUT WE HAVE TO UNDERSTAND THAT EVEN IN THE BIBLE EVENT ALSO HAVE A DANCE WHILE IN PROCESSION, WHICH THOSE TIMES PEOPLE LIKE DAVID AND LIVITE PRIESTS WERE DANCING BEFORE THE ARK OF THE COVENANT OR WHAT WE CALLED THE ARK OF THE LORD (a box which 10 commandments kept, this box has statue of cherubim attached over it.) BIBLE SAYS: . 1 CHRONICLES 15:29 (KING JAMES VERSION) “And it came to pass, as the ARK OF THE COVENANT OF THE LORD CAME TO THE CITY of David, that Michal the daughter of Saul looking out at a window saw king DAVID DANCING AND PLAYING: and she despised him in her heart.” . 2 SAMUEL 6:16 (NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE) Then it happened as the ARK OF THE LORD came into the city of David that Michal the daughter of Saul looked out of the window and saw KING DAVID LEAPING AND DANCING BEFORE THE LORD; and she despised him in her heart. . KING DAVID ALSO DO DANCING BEFORE THE ARK OF THE COVENANT WHILE PROCESSION ON THE MOVE TOWARD THE CITY, SINCE THE FACT THAT GOD DID NOT INSTRUCTS KING DAVID TO DO IT SO. THUS THERE IS NOTHING WRONG TO DANCE BEFORE THE STATUE OF “Santo Niño” WHILE IN THE PROCESSION BEING MOVE DURING SINULOG FESTIVAL IN CEBU PHILIPPINES. . . . OBJECTION # 5 [ saan sa Biblia ipinag prosisyon nyo ang rebulto? Eh hindi naman pinag uutos ng Dios na gawin yan eh. ] . (English: where do you found in the bible to do a procession for that Statues? And in fact, God never instruct it for you to do. ) . RESPONSE: . EVEN DURING BIBLICAL TIMES, PROCESSIONING IS ALSO A PART OF RELIGIOUS PRACTICES OF THE JEWS. BIBLE SAYS: . 1 CHRONICLES 15:14-15 (NEW AMERICAN BIBLE REVISED EDITION) [14] Accordingly, the priests and the Levites sanctified themselves to bring up the ark of the Lord, the God of Israel. [15] The Levites CARRIED THE ARK OF GOD ON THEIR SHOULDERS WITH POLES, as Moses had commanded according to the word of the Lord. . JOSHUA 6:6-7 (NAB) [6] Summoning the priests, Joshua, son of Nun, said to them, “TAKE UP THE ARK OF THE COVENANT with seven of the priests carrying ram’s horns in front of the ark of the Lord.” [7] And HE ORDERED THE PEOPLE, “PROCEED AND SURROUND THE CITY, with the picked troops MARCHING AHEAD OF THE ARK OF THE LORD.” . VERY CLEAR, THEY TOOK UP THE ARK OF THE LORD, THEY CARRIED IT AROUND THE CITY AS THEY WALKING (marching). SAME AS THE CATHOLIC PROCESSIONING DURING FESTIVAL, IT HAS A STATUE CARRIED BY MEN AND WALKING THROUGHOUT THE CITY. . NOTE: THE “ARK OF THE LORD” OR WHAT WE CALLED THE “ARK OF THE COVENANT” HAS STATUES OF CHERUBIM ATTACHED OVER IT, BIBLE SAYS: . 1 CHRONICLES 28:18 (NEW AMERICAN BIBLE) “the refined gold, and its weight, to be used for the altar of incense; and, finally, gold to fashion the chariot: THE CHERUBIM SPREADING THEIR WINGS AND COVERING THE ARK OF THE COVENANT of the Lord. . 1 CHRONICLES 13:6 (DOUAY RHEIMS) “And David went up with all the men of Israel to the hill of Cariathiarim which is in Juda, to bring thence THE ARK OF THE LORD GOD SITTING UPON THE CHERUBIMS, where his name is called upon.” . THAT IS WHY JEWS CARRYING THE “ARK OF THE LORD” THAT HAS STATUE PLACED OVER THE TOP, AS IT COVERS THE ARK. THEN IT SAME AS THE FILIPINO CATHOLICS PROCESSION OF STATUE OF “SANTO NIÑO”. DURING SINULOG FESTIVAL IN CEBU PHILIPPINES. . . . OBJECTION # 6 [ bakit pinupunta pa ang Rebultong Imahen sa Simbahan? Na may dala dala pang mga tao pag Fiesta? ] . (English: why the Statues should be parade toward the front of the Church together with crowds?.) . RESPONSE: . OBVIOUSLY, WHEN THE PROCESSION BEING ON THE MOVE, IT SHOULD BE BRING BACK FROM WHERE IT CAME FROM. . PSALMS 42:4 (NASB) “These things I remember and I pour out my soul within me. For I USED TO GO ALONG WITH THE THRONG AND LEAD THEM IN PROCESSION TO THE HOUSE OF GOD, With the voice of joy and thanksgiving, a multitude keeping FESTIVAL.” . SEE? THAT IS WHY EVERY FESTIVITIES OR CATHOLIC FIESTAS THAT THE PROCESSION OF THE STATUES AND IMAGES STOPS INTO THE HOUSE OF THE LORD, OR THE CHURCH. THIS PASSAGE ALSO TELLS US THAT A MULTITUDE OF PEOPLE KEEPING THE FESTIVAL, IN WHICH IT REFERS TO CATHOLICS CUSTOM OF HAVING AND KEEPING THIS FEAST AND CUSTOM. . . . OBJECTION # 7 [ Bakit nyo ginagawa ang Kapistahan ng Santo Niño at pinag papatuloy sa pag lipas ng siglo bilang isang tradisyon??] . ( English: Why did you practicing Santo Niño Festival and continue it for past centuries as tradition?? ) . RESPONSE: . BECAUSE THIS IS THE THANKSGIVING AND PRAISING TO THE HOLY CHILD JESUS. IN ADDITION, THIS FESTIVAL ALSO COMMEMORATES THE CHRISTIANITY ARRIVED IN THE PHILIPPINES IN WHICH THE IMAGE OF THE STATUE OF Santo Niño IS THE INSTRUMENT OF CHRISTIANIZATION IN THE COUNTRY BY THE SPANIARDS. . ALSO, THE BIBLE SPEAKS ABOUT THE APOSTLES OF JESUS TELLS ABOUT TRADITIONS OF MAN SHOULD BE HOLD WHETHER TAUGHT BY MOUTH (like Church fathers who made this feast) OR FROM THE SCRIPTURES: . 2 THESSALONIANS 2:15 (NASB) So then, brethren, stand firm and HOLD TO THE TRADITIONS which you were taught, WHETHER BY WORD OF MOUTH or by letter from us. . 1 CORINTHIANS 11:2 (NASB) Now I praise you because you remember me in everything and HOLD FIRMLY TO THE TRADITIONS just as I delivered them to you. . THUS THERE IS NOTHING WRONG PRACTICING TRADITION. AND THIS TRADITION EXTENDS THE LITURGICAL LIFE OF THE CHURCH WHICH MAKES THE FAITH WORKS TO SHOW AMONG PEOPLE, AND WHY?? BECAUSE FAITH WITHOUT WORK IS USELESS, BIBLE SAYS: . JAMES 2:18 (NASB) But someone may well say, You have faith and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I WILL SHOW YOU MY FAITH BY MY WORKS. . JAMES 2:26 (NASB) For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also FAITH WITHOUT WORKS IS DEAD. . . . OBJECTION # 8 [ itong gawi na ito, HINDI binanggit sa biblia na magkaroon ng Fiesta ng sinulog Santo Niño. Pati mga Apostol HINDI ITO TINURO ang Fiestang ito. Kahit si Hesus HINDI ITO INUTOS !!!!. ] . (English: this custom DID NOT MENTIONED IN THE BIBLE to have this Sinulog festival of Santo Niño. and apostle DID NOT TAUGHT for this feast, even Jesus NEVER COMMAND THIS !!!!. ] . RESPONSE: . AS A MATTER OF FACT, GOD HIMSELF ALLOWED A FEAST. HE LET THE PEOPLE TO CELEBRATE THEIR OWN FEAST: . NAHUM 1:15 (NASB) Behold, on the mountains the feet of him who brings good news, Who announces PEACE! CELEBRATE YOUR FEASTS, O Judah; Pay your vows. For never again will the wicked one pass through you; He is cut off completely. . SEE? GOD ALLOWED THAT, SO WHAT MORE TO CATHOLICS? SO IF GOD ALLOWED A FEAST, THEN HAVING CATHOLIC FESTIVAL IS ALSO ALLOWED, AS LONG AS THIS IS FOR THE FAITH AND FOR THE LORD. THAT IS WHY EVEN JEWS ALSO MADE CUSTOM THEMSELVES TO CELEBRATE THEIR OWN FEAST. . ESTHER 9:27 (NASB) the Jews established and MADE A CUSTOM FOR THEMSELVES and for their descendants and for all those who allied themselves with them, so that they would not fail to celebrate these two days according to their regulation and according to their appointed time annually. . ESTHER 9:20-21 (NIV) [20] Mordecai recorded these events, and he sent letters to all the Jews throughout the provinces of King Xerxes, near and far, [21] TO HAVE THEM CELEBRATE ANNUALLY the fourteenth and fifteenth days of the month of Ada.” . ESTHER 9:17 (NASB) This was done on the thirteenth day of the month Adar, and on the fourteenth day they rested AND MADE IT A DAY OF FEASTING AND REJOICING. . ESTHER 9:31 (NASB) to establish these days of Purim at their appointed times, just as Mordecai the Jew and Queen Esther had established for them, and just as THEY HAD ESTABLISHED FOR THEMSELVES and for their descendants with instructions for their times of fasting and their lamentations. . SEE? THERE IS NOTHING WRONG TO MAKE A SOME FESTIVALS LIKE SANTO. NIÑO DE CEBU AND FEAST OF THE BLACK NAZARENE AND SUCH OTHER CATHOLIC FEAST BECAUSE SINCE JEWS ALSO HAD MADE THEIR OWN FEAST. . . . . ++++ADDITIONAL INFORMATION++++ . INTRODUCTION: The Santo Niño de Cebú : is a Roman Catholic title of child Jesus Christ is popularly considered the official patron of Cebu, associated with a religious vested statue of the infant Child Jesus venerated by many Filipino Catholics believing it to be miraculous. It is the oldest religious Christian image in the Philippines, that was originally given in 1521 as a baptismal gift by Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan to native Cebu chieftain.. . SHORT HISTORY: In 1521, Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan arrived in the Philippines and landed in Cebu to plant the cross on its shore. He introduced Christianity to natives and presented the image of the Santo Niño (Holy Child Jesus) as a baptismal gift to Hara Amihan, a wife of Cebu’s Rajah Humabon who was later named Queen Juana as a symbol of their new alliance. eventually conflicts had occur, that erupts in the battle of Mactan which Ferdinand Magellan was fell along with the 27 Spaniards killed by the Native Cebuanos. the survivors had hurriedly embarked and continued their voyage to Spain, while the Cross and the Santo Niño was left behind. . for more than 40 years in silent, the next Spanish expedition have arrived, they came back to the Philippines under the command of General Miguel López de Legazpi in 1565. Spanish found the natives hostile, fearing retribution for Magellans death, and the village caught fire in the ensuing conflict. . one Spanish soldier Juan Camus found the image of Santo Niño inside the amidst ruins of burnt house of the native, this was presented to Miguel López de Legazpi and the Augustinian priests. this was attested by Fr. Andres de Urdaneta, and many other witnesses that this Image has been venerated by Filipinos ever since, The statue was later taken out for procession, and Legazpi instituted a fiesta to commemorate the finding of the image, and the original celebration still survives. . PRESENT: The Holy Childs feast is liturgically celebrated every third Sunday of January, during which devotees carry a portable Santo Niño image onto the street fiesta dancing celebrations. Nowadays. The Santo Niño image has many replicas, a various copied version from the original old one from Cebu which kept and encased within bulletproof glass in a chapel at the Basílica Menor del Santo Niño, today this Image normally seen in many Filipino homes and business establishments, public transport, and even some offices making it as one of the beloved and recognizable cultural icons in the Philippines, found in both religious and secular areas.
Posted on: Sun, 25 Jan 2015 05:21:55 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015