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Manila Archbishop Jose Advincula in a mass during the feast of the Ephiphany on Jan. 4, 2025 at the Quiapo Church in Manila.
Quiapo Church / Released
MANILA, Philippines — Manila Archbishop Cardinal Jose Advincula urged devotees of the Black Nazarene to embody a faith that seeks no praise and centers entirely on Christ.
In his homily during the feast of the Epiphany on January 4 at Quiapo Church, Advincula said that the spirit of the Epiphany and the upcoming Nazareno festivities share a common call: the manifestation of God’s love through humility and self-emptying service.
“Ang liwanag ni Kristo ay maningning ngunit tunay na mapagpumbaba. Ang pang-akma sa temang napili natin para sa darating na Traslacion, ‘dapat siyang itaas at ako naman ay bumaba,’” Advincula said.
(The light of Christ is radiant yet truly humble. This perfectly aligns with the theme we have chosen for the upcoming Traslacion: 'He must increase, and I must decrease.’)
Advincula also reminded the faithful that true devotion is not found in loud proclamations or seeking personal credit, but in the quiet, persistent love of a servant.
“Ang inyong pananampalataya ay malinaw na malinaw. Ang inyong pag-ibig sa Panginoon ay hindi kailangan ipangalandakan; tahimik na nagbibigay, nagpapasalamat, nagmamahal sa ating Poong Hesus Nazareno,” he said.
(Your faith is crystal clear. Your love for the Lord does not need to be paraded or boasted about; it is a quiet way of giving, giving thanks, and loving our Lord Jesus Nazarene.)
“Kapag humahawak kayo ng lubid ng andas, hindi ninyo hinihiyaw, ‘Tingnan ninyo ako.’ Kapag naglalakad kayo ng nakayapak o paluhod, hindi ninyo sinasabi, ‘Purihin ninyo ako.’ Ang isinisigaw ng puso ninyo ay iisa lamang. Si Hesus, ang dapat itaas,” he added.
(When you hold the rope of the carriage, you do not shout, 'Look at me.' When you walk barefoot or on your knees, you do not say, 'Praise me.' Your heart screams only one thing: It is Jesus who must be lifted up.)
Sunday’s Mass is one of the masses in celebration of the Feast of the Black Nazarene, which started on Dec. 31, 2025. Its culmination will be on January 9, when the Traslacion will occur.
