Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle called on the devotees of the Black Nazarene to focus on loving and serving others, in his homily at the Quirino Grandstand Monday, before the start of the annual Traslacion.
“Ang pag-ibig po ay hindi lamang damdamin. Ang pag ibig, hindi lamang ideya … Ito ay umuuwi sa gawa, gawa ng pag-ibig. At sa gawa, kami ay nabubuklod,” Tagle said.
[Translation: Love is not just an emotion. Love is not just an idea. It translates to service. This is what unites us.]
He also asked the people to stop judging others, in line with the Traslacion’s theme of love and unity.
“Ang pagkakahati-hati, kalimitan, bunga ng panghuhusga. Sila, mali. Ako, tama. Magkaiba kami. Kayo marumi, ako, malinis. Magkaiba tayo. Kayo baluktot ang isip, ako, tuwid, maliwanag ang isip. Magkaiba tayo.”
[Translation: Divisiveness usually roots from unfair judgment. You’re wrong, I’m right. We are different. You’re corrupt, I’m pure. We are different. You are crooked, I’m moral. We are different.]
Tagle called on the people to be more understanding and welcoming of others, keeping in mind that we all make mistakes. This, according to the cardinal, is the kind of love the world needs.
“Ito pong uri ng pag-ibig na handang yakapin ang mahihina, ang makasalanan sa halip na sila ay idiin, yurakan at ilayo sa ating sarili,” Tagle said.
[Translation: The kind of love that embraces the weak and the sinners, instead of condemnation.]
Police estimates more than 1.1 million attendees in this year’s Traslacion, which literally translates to “translation” or “passage” of the Black Nazarene icon carrying a huge cross. The annual procession started at the Quirino Grandstand early Monday, which will pass through a specific route in Manila until it makes its way back to the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene, or the Quiapo Church.
