SINO PO DITO MATIYANG NAGBABASA? KUNG MATIYAGA KA, BASAHIN MO TO! (Y) #GODBLESS #THANKYOUUU! :* (y) ANSWERING QUESTIONS AND ALLEGATIONS ABOUT BLACK NAZARENE FESTIVAL . . DEFENDING THE FILIPINO FESTIVAL OF THE BLACK NAZARENE FROM THE MALICIOUS ALLEGATIONS OF OTHER RELIGIOUS GROUP (ANTI-CATHOLIC SECTS) FOR HAVING THIS UNIQUE AND SACRED CATHOLIC TRADITION IN THE PHILIPPINES. . . # 1. QUESTION: [ WHAT AND WHO IS NAZARENE?? ] . ANSWER: . NAZARENE COMES FROM THE WORD NAZARETE, SITUATED IN ISRAEL: MATTHEW 2:23 (NASB) and came and lived in a city called NAZARETH. This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophets: “HE SHALL BE CALLED A NAZARENE.” . THEN WHO SHALL BE CALLED NAZARENE? . MARK 16:6 (NASB) “ And he *said to them, “Do not be amazed; you are looking for JESUS THE NAZARENE, who has been crucified. He has risen; He is not here; behold, here is the place where they laid Him. . . . # 2. QUESTION : [ WHY IS IT COLOR BLACK ?? ] . ANSWER: . THERE ARE THREE ANSWERS REGARDING ABOUT THE QUESTION OF WHY IS IT BLACK. 1ST ONE, DUE TO HISTORICAL REASON, THEN THE 2ND ONE IS BIBLICALLY. AND THE 3RD ONE IS BY SIMPLY LOGIC. 1ST: (HISTORICAL REASON) DURING THE MANILA GALLEON EXPEDITION FROM MEXICO, THE ORIGINAL STATUE IMAGE OF THE BLACK NAZARENE SCULPTED FROM PURE IVORY WAS IN THE SHIP ABOARD, BUT TRAGIC ACCIDENT WAS HAPPENED, THIS SHIP BURNT AND LEAVING OTHER DESTROYED. THAT IS WHY THIS STATUE BECOMES BLACK. . DURING WORLD WAR II THE ORIGINAL ONE THAT MADE FROM IVORY WAS DESTROYED SINCE IT WAS PLACE OUTSIDE INTRAMUROS THAT KEPT BY RECOLLECTS FRIARS CAUGHT IN BOMBING, WHILE THE 2ND REPLICA WAS SPARED IN THE BATTLE IN WWII SINCE IT WAS INSIDE THE QUIAPO CHURCH. DUE TO ANTIQUITY CHURCH HAD MADE ANOTHER REPLICA IN 1998 MADE BY WOOD. . THE NAME OF BEING BLACK NAZARINE, CONJOINT WITH THE WORD “BLACK” SINCE IT WAS CAME FROM THE SHIP THAT WAS BURNT. THUS THE DESCRIPTIVE NAME OF THE SCULPTURE IS THEN TAKEN IT BEING BLACK RESULTING FROM THE INCIDENT THAT HAPPENED, THAT IS WHY IT CALLED BLACK NAZARENE. . 2ND: (BIBLICAL REASON) JOB 30:28-31 (NASB) [28] “I go about MOURNING WITHOUT COMFORT; I stand up in the assembly and cry out for help. [29] “I have become a brother to jackals And a companion of ostriches. [30] “MY SKIN TURNS BLACK ON ME, And my bones burn with fever. . ALTHOUGH THIS PASSAGE IS AN OLD TESTAMENT WHICH IS FAR FROM THE NEW COVENANT, THIS PASSAGE TELLS AND SIGNIFIES ABOUT THE PROPHETIC SUFFERING OF THE SON “JESUS” AS HE MOURNING WITHOUT COMFORT. THEN HIS SKIN TURNS TO BLACK THAT POTRAYING ON HIS CALVARY DURING THE WALK UNDER THE HEAT OF SUN CARRYING HIS CROSS, WHICH FULLFILLMENT FOR THE NEW COVENANT. . 3RD: (LOGIC REASON) RIZAL STATUE IS ALSO BLACK IN THE LUNETA PARK AND MAJORITY OF HIS STATUE IN THE MONUMENT IS COLOR BLACK, THE FACT THAT HE IS NOT BLACK DURING HE LIVES? . WHY IS THAT THE BRONZE STATUE OF FELIX MANALO A FOUNDER OF THE HERETIC CHURCH “IGLESIA NI CRISTO” IS ALSO COLOR BLACK ? THE FACT THAT THIS SINFUL FOUNDER IS NOT AS BLACK AS BRONZE COLOR SKIN, BUT A BROWN FAIR SKIN. . ANOTHER THING, IS THERE A COLOR THAT BECAME RED?, WHITE? OR EVEN BLUE AFTER IT WAS BURNT BY ACCIDENT? . . . # 3. QUESTION: [ WHY IS THAT PEOPLE HAVE HANDKERCHIEF OR SMALL TOWEL IN THE FEAST THAT CARRIED TOUCHED UPON THE STATUE BODY?? ] . ANSWER: . ITS A MATTER OF CULTURE , AS A MATTER OF FACT, CATHOLICS IN EUROPE, AMERICAS AND OTHER CATHOLIC COUNTRIES, NEVER DO THIS CUSTOM AS CATHOLIC FILIPINO ALWAYS DID OF TOUCHING ONES OBJECT USING WITH HANDKERCHIEF OR JUST BY HAND. IT IS JUST A MATTER OF FILIPINO CULTURE BY BELIEVING THAT THERE HAS A MIRACLE IN THE HANDKERCHIEFS, CLOTHES THAT HAS CARRIED TOUCHED IN THE RELIGIOUS OBJECTS (STATUES, IMAGES, ETC.). . THERE IS NOTHING WRONG ABOUT TOUCHING RELIGIOUS OBJECTS USING WITH OF HANDKERCHIEFS, LIKE THE STATUE OF THE BLACK NAZARENE. SINCE THE BIBLICAL TIMES TOUCHING ONES BODY USING A SMALL CLOTHE, HANDKERCHIEFS IS BEING DONE TO JESUS AND ST. PAUL THE APOSTLE. . MIRACLE OF ST. PAUL BY TOUCHING FROM HIS BODY: . ACTS 19:12 (NASB) “God was performing extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul, [12] so that HANDKERCHIEFS or aprons were even CARRIED FROM HIS BODY TO THE SICK, and the diseases left them and the evil spirits went out. . BIBLE TELLS, THE HANDKERCHIEFS HAS CARRIED TOUCHED ON THE BODY OF APOSTLE ST. PAUL, THUS THIS HANDKERCHIEFS DOES A MIRACLE FOR PUTTING OFF THE DISEASES OUT IN ORDER TO GET WELL. . MIRACLE OF JESUS BY TOUCHING FROM HIS CLOAK: . MARK 5:27-28 (NASB) [27] after hearing about JESUS, she came up in the crowd behind Him and touched His cloak. [28] For she thought, “IF I JUST TOUCH HIS GARMENTS, I WILL GET WELL.” . MATTHEW 9:21 (NIV) She said to herself, “If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed.” . NOT JUST TOUCHING TO JESUS USING EITHER CLOTH OR BY HANDS BUT ALSO TO HIS CLOAK HAVE ALSO MIRACLE. SAME AS CATHOLICS DURING THE PROCESSION OF BLACK NAZARENE. BUT IT IS NOT ONLY BASIS FOR THE GETTING OFF THE DISEASES BY THIS MIRACLE, OR WISHES TO BE ASK. MIRACLE WILL NOT WORK WITHOUT FAITH AND DEEP BELIEF IN YOUR HEART TO JESUS, AS WE READ THE FOLLOWING VERSE: . MATTHEW 9:22 (NIV) Jesus turned and saw her. “Take heart, daughter,” he said, “your FAITH HAS HEALED YOU.” And the WOMAN WAS HEALED at that moment. . . . # 4 QUESTION: [ WHY IS THAT THE FEAST OF THE BLACK NAZARENE IS OVERCROWDED? ] . ANSWER: . BECAUSE THE HUGE CROWD OF FILIPINOS AROUND THE STATUE OF JESUS THE NAZARENE DURING THE PROCESSION FESTIVAL MAKING A WAY TO PASS THROUGH THE CROWDING PEOPLE JUST TO APPROACH THE STATUE FOR THE MIRACLE OF HEALING, WISHES TO COME TRUE, AND BLESSINGS FOR YEAR LONG. SAME AS JESUS. EVEN HIM, HE EXPERIENCED THIS CROWDING PEOPLE AROUND HIM: MARK 5:30-31 (NEW AMERICAN BIBLE REVISED EDITION) [30] Immediately JESUS, perceiving in Himself that the power proceeding from Him had gone forth, turned around in the CROWD and said, “Who touched My garments?” [31] But his disciples said to him, “You see how the CROWD IS PRESSING UPON YOU, and yet you ask, ‘Who touched me?’” . . . # 5. QUESTION: [ WHY DID YOU PRACTICE PROCESSION? ] . ANSWER: . EVEN DURING BIBLICAL TIMES, PROCESSIONING IS ALSO A PART OF RELIGIOUS ACTIVITIES OF THE JEWS. 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 (MARCH). 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: . 1 CHRONICLES 28:18 (NEW AMERICAN BIBLE REVISED EDITION) “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. . THAT IS WHY JEWS CARRYING THE ARK OF THE LORD THAT HAS STATUE PLACED OVER THE TOP, AS IT COVERS THE ARK. SAME AS CATHOLICS PROCESSION OF STATUES OF JESUS NAZARENE. . . . # 6. QUESTION: [ STATUE PROCESSIONING MEANS ALSO WORSHIPPING ON IT?? ] . ANSWER: . NO, THAT IS A COMMON MISCONCEPTION BY THE NON CATHOLICS (OTHER RELIGIOUS DENOMINATION OUTSIDE CATHOLIC CHRUCH). THE TRUTH IS WHAT WE (CATHOLICS) DID IS NOT AN ACT OF WORSHIP. BY PROCESSIONING THE WOODEN STATUE OF BLACK NAZARENE REPRESENTS JESUS VICTORY WHEN HE DIED AT THE CROSS TO DEFEAT THE EVIL HEBREWS 2:14 (New American Bible Revised Edition) “Now since the children share in blood and flesh, he likewise shared in them, that THROUGH DEATH HE MIGHT DESTROY the one who has THE POWER OF DEATH, THAT IS, THE DEVIL,” COLOSSIANS 2:15 (Good News Translation) “And on that cross Christ freed himself from the power of the spiritual rulers and authorities; he made a PUBLIC SPECTACLE of them by leading them as captives in HIS VICTORY PROCESSION” . THAT IS WHY WE CATHOLICS HAVE A PROCESSION OF JESUS THE NAZARENE FOR HIS VICTORY OVER EVIL, AND NOT FOR WORSHIPPING THIS OBJECT. . SAME AS THE SOLDIERS PARADING STREETS AFTER THE WAR PROCLAIMING THAT THEY ARE VICTORIOUS. . . . # 7. QUESTION: [ WHY IS THAT IT BECAME A MIRACULOUS STATUE IMAGE ??] . ANSWER: . WE WILL APPLY THE OLD TESTAMENT. EVEN THE BIBLICAL TIMES, MOSES MADE A STATUE IMAGE OF SERPENT THAT WHENEVER PERSON LOOKED AT THIS BRONZE SERPENT WILL RECOVERED OR LIVED. . NUMBERS 21:9 (NASB) “And Moses made a bronze serpent and set it on the standard; and it came about, that if a serpent bit any man, when HE LOOKED TO THE BRONZE SERPENT, HE LIVED.” . SAME AS THE CATHOLIC PROCESSION OF THE BLACK NAZARENE STATUE BELIEVING THAT ONES GET CLOSE INTO HIS STATUE TOUCHING IT WILL BE HEALED AND OR WISHES BE BLESSED TO COME TRUE. . BUT ONCE AGAIN, MIRACLES DOES’T EFFECT WITHOUT FAITH AND DEEP BELIEF IN YOUR HEART TO JESUS: . MATTHEW 9:22 (NIV) [22] Jesus turned and saw her. “Take heart, daughter,” he said, “your FAITH HAS HEALED YOU.” And the WOMAN WAS HEALED at that moment. . . . # 8. QUESTION: [ WHY DID YOU PRACTICING THIS FESTIVAL OF THE BLACK NAZARENE AS TRADITION??] . ANSWER: . BECAUSE THE APOSTLES TELLS US 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. . . . # 9. QUESTION: [ WHY ARE CROWD WALKING IN BAREFOOT AS THEY FOLLOW THE PROCESSION?? ] . ANSWER: . EVEN THE BIBLICAL TIMES, GOD INSTRUCTS MOSES TO REMOVE HIS SANDALS AS HE APPROACH TO HIM: . EXODUS 3:5 (NASB) [3] So Moses said, “I must turn aside now and see this marvelous sight, why the bush is not burned up.” [4] When the Lord saw that he turned aside to look, God called to him from the midst of the bush and said, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.” [5] Then He said, “Do not come near here; REMOVE YOUR SANDALS FROM YOUR FEET, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.” . AS WE NOTICED, THAT IS WHY CATHOLIC DEVOTEES HAVE A CUSTOM WHEN THEY APPROACHED TO THE STATUE OF THE BLACK NAZARENE THEY ARE ALL IN BAREFOOT WITHOUT ANY SHOES OR SANDALS. . . . # 10 QUESTION: [ WHY ARE THERE TOO MANY COMPLAINTS AND COMMENTS FROM THE INC-1914? THE ANG DATING DAAN AND OTHER ANTI-CATHOLICS ALSO COMPLAIN AGAINST CATHOLICS DURING THE CELEBRATIONS? ] . ANSWER: . WE WOULD APPLY THE SCRIPTURES WHEN LEVI CELEBRATED THE FEAST FOR THE LORD JESUS, THE SCRIBES AND PHARISEES ALSO COMPLAINED. . LUKE 5:30 (NASB) [30] The Pharisees and their scribes began grumbling at His disciples, saying, “Why do you eat and drink with the tax collectors and sinners?” . WE HEAR COMPLAINTS AND COMMENTS FROM ANTI-CATHOLICS WHENEVER WE CELEBRATE THE FEASTS, LIKE THE FEAST OF THE BLACK NAZARENE, FEAST OF STO. NIÑO, AND OTHER FEASTS TO DEVOTE TO THE LORD. . THIS IS BECAUSE THEY FEEL SO JEALOUS OF THE FESTIVAL LIKE THE FEAST OF THE BLACK NAZARENE AND STO. NIÑO AS WE CATHOLICS ARE BAD IN THEIR EYES. . PROVERBS 15:15 (NASB) “All the days of the afflicted are bad, But a cheerful heart has a continual feast.” . . . . OBJECTION # 1 [ itong gawi na ito, HINDI binanggit sa biblia na magkaroon ng Fiesta ng Hesus nazareno. 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 festival of Jesus the Nazarene. 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 OF WHATEVER FESTIVAL IT IS, AS LONG AS 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? THUS THERE IS NOTHING WRONG TO MAKE A CUSTOM OF SOME FESTIVALS LIKE FEAST OF THE BLACK NAZARENE, FEAST OF STO. NIñO AND ETC. SINCE JEWS ALSO MADE THIER OWN FESTIVAL FOR THEMSELVES. . . . OBJECTION # 2 [ sa biblia, HINDI negrong Nazareno at mga kung ano ano pang mga santo rebulto ang pinoprosisyon ng mga Judio nuon, kundi ang kaban ng tipan at cherubim. ] . (English: as it was written in the bible that ark of the lord with cherubim are the one that processioning by the Jews, and NOT the statue of the black Nazarene and such others Saints statues. ) . RESPONSE: . WE HAVE TO USE OUR COMMON SENSE. DON’T LIMIT THE UNDERSTANDING ABOUT THE JEWS DID IT ALONE. SINCE JEWS PRACTICING PROCESSION OF THE ARK OF THE LORD THAT HAS STATUE OF CHERUBIM ATTACHED OVER IT IN THE OLD TESTAMENT, (1 CHRONICLES 15:14-15), (JOSHUA 6:6-7) . SO THAT, THE CHRISTIANS SHOULD ALSO DO THE SAME, BUT IN A CHRISTIAN WAY, WHICH THE STATUES OF PEOPLE OF GOD IN NEW TESTAMENT LIKE JESUS, MARY, THE APOSTLES, AND MARTYRED SAINTS SHOULD BE USED AND REPLACE THE JEWISH STATUE CHERUBIM IN OLD TESTAMENT, FOR THE PURPOSE OF REMINDING CHRISTIAN PEOPLE HAVE DEPARTED & MARTYRED FOR FAITH, AND NOT FOR THE REMINDING CHERUBIM WHICH IS PART OF OLD TESTAMENT FROM THE JEWS. . THUS THE PROCESSION OF THE ARK OF THE LORD WITH CHERUBIM IS FOR THE JEWS. THEN THE PROCESSION OF STATUES IMAGES OF JESUS, MARY, AND SAINTS IS FOR CHRISTIANS. SO THERE SHOULD BE NO ISSUE THERE SINCE CHRISTIANS ARE DOMINANTLY CAME FROM JEWS CONVERTS, THAT IS WHY TRADITIONS FROM JEWS AS IT WRITTEN IN THE BIBLE BORROWED UP TO POST-APOSTOLIC (EARLY CHRISTIANS YEARS), DOWN TO MODERN CHRISTIAN DAYS, AS CATHOLIC. . . . . CONCLUSION: BLACK NAZARENE FESTIVAL IS THE UNIQUE ICON OF FILIPINO CATHOLICSM IN THE PHILIPPINES, ALSO THIS CUSTOMS MAKING THE PHILIPPINES DISTINCT AMONG OTHER CATHOLIC COUNTRIES FOR THIS UNIQUE TRADITION OF OVERCROWDING DEVOTEE DURING PROCESSION ATTEMPTING TO APPROACH THE STATUE OF BLACK NAZARENE JUST TO TOUCH FOR THE BELIEF THAT THEIR FAMILIES WILL BE HEALED WISHES TO COME TRUE AND BE BLESSED FOR YEAR LONG. . IT IS A MATTER OF TRADITIONAL BELIEF THAT SHOULD BE RESPECT BY OTHER RELIGIOUS SECT. . THUS, SOMEDAY IF YOU SET FOOT IN OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD AS DISSAPORA, OFW, OR IMMMIGRANTS. THE SPIRIT OF FILIPINO CATHOLICSM REMAINS IN YOU. . WHEN YOU HAVE SEEN A STATUE OF THE BLACK NAZARENE IN THE OTHER COUNTRY THAT YOU HAVE DESTINED, SURELY THERE ARE FILIPINO RESIDES THERE. AND SURELY IT REMINDS YOU WHERE YOU CAME FROM.
Posted on: Sat, 10 Jan 2015 17:12:00 +0000
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