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INTRODUCTION
The Latin word sacramentum means "a sign of the sacred." The seven sacraments are ceremonies that point to what is sacred, significant and important for Christians. They are special occasions for experiencing God's saving presence. That's what theologians mean when they say that sacraments are at the same time signs and instruments of God's grace.
In summary, a sacrament is one of the means God has chosen to influence our life in the direction of his purpose for giving us life. Baptism Baptism marks the entry of the believer into the Christian community. Along with Confirmation and Eucharist, it is one of the Sacraments of Initiation, giving access to the full sacramental life of the Church. Through Baptism we are freed from sin and joined with Christ, sharing in His divinity and destined for eternal life. Baptism leaves us permanently changed, no longer the person we once were, but a new person, dying to death and sin, and rising to new life in Christ. In the words of St. Paul, "We were buried with Him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so too may we live a new life." (Romans 6:4). The rite consists of pouring water over the head while saying the Trinitarian formula. Anyone can baptize in an emergency, although the usual minister of the sacrament is a priest or deacon. Usually the rite includes anointing the forehead with holy oil to indicate that, even as Christ was anointed Priest, Prophet, and King, so does the candidate now share in His everlasting life, participating in His glory as a member of His body. The newly baptized then receives a white garment and a candle lit from the paschal candle. Like Christ, who is the light of the world, the newly baptized Christian carries the light of Christ out into the world. Confirmation Before Jesus was put to death, He promised His followers that He would send His Spirit to comfort and strengthen them. True to His promise, the Holy Spirit was poured out on them on Pentecost, forty days after His resurrection from the dead. The Sacrament of Confirmation is our own Pentecost. When we are confirmed, we receive the Holy Spirit, through the anointing with oil and the laying on of hands by the bishop or a priest appointed by him. When we receive this sacred seal we show that we belong to God. By their anointing, the prophets, kings and priests of the Old Testament were elevated to a special position in their service of God. So it is with us when we receive the holy oil on our foreheads; we become part of the priesthood of all believers, witnesses to Christ and heirs to His throne. Eucharist The Eucharist is the sacrament in which we receive the Body and Blood of Christ. The Church teaches that Christ is really present in the bread and wine that have been consecrated by the priest at Mass. Although the bread and wine still look and taste like bread and wine, the substance, what is actually there, has changed. The roots of the Eucharist are in the Jewish Passover meal. This is the meal which commemorates Israel's delivery from oppression and slavery in Egypt. As Jesus celebrated the Passover at his last supper with the apostles, He blessed, broke and shared with them bread and wine, declaring that it was His body and blood. He promised that He would truly be with them when they did likewise and shared bread and wine together in memory of Him. The Mass is the new Passover, with Jesus offering His own body and blood so that we, His present-day followers, might go free. For this reason, as well as being a sacred meal, the Eucharist is also a link with Jesus' death. When we participate in the Mass together with our fellow believers and receive Him in the Eucharist we take part in the Passover meal which He celebrates now, shedding His blood so that we may be saved. Reconciliation or Penance Many of us regret things we have done or fail to do, words we have said or thoughts we have harbored, things we are too embarrassed or ashamed to admit. Sometimes these hidden secrets take on much more importance than they deserve, simply because we keep them bottled up and are unable to speak about them. The Sacrament of Reconciliation gives us the opportunity to express our sorrow for things we have done wrong, to heal broken relationships, to forgive ourselves and others, and to open up the channels of communication between ourselves and God. Confession is above all a place of healing, not a place of judgment or punishment. When we make our confession to a priest in the confidentiality of the confessional or reconciliation room, we experience healing and liberation, discovering again and again how much we are loved by God, how precious we are to Him, and how great is our dignity as His children. Once he has heard our confession, the priest says the words of absolution for our sins: God the Father of mercies, through the death and resurrection of His Son has reconciled the world to Himself and sent the Holy Spirit among us for the forgiveness of sins; through the ministry of the Church may God give you pardon and peace, and I absolve you from your sins, in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. What the penitent makes known to the priest remains "sealed" because the confidentiality of confession is absolute. Nothing said by the penitent in confession will ever be repeated. This is an experience of mercy and reconciliation, where we can lay down the burdens of guilt and shame that we carry with us. No matter what we think of ourselves or of God, we can still be certain that God forgives us, loves us and wants only to heal us. Anointing of the Sick "Are any among you sick? Let them call for the elders of the Church to pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord; and the prayer of faith will save the sick ones, and the Lord will raise them up; and if they have committed any sins, they will be forgiven." (James 5:14-15) Part of Jesus' ministry was to heal the sick, and He went about curing those who were ill or disabled, showing that suffering and death have no place in the Kingdom of God. By His sacrifice of Himself, He took hold of suffering and death and eliminated their power to separate us from each other or from God. Our faith tells us that, indeed, God suffers with us. Through Jesus' suffering and death, God joins His suffering to the suffering of human beings. And by doing this, He transforms and gives it a new meaning. Through the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick we are assured that God will raise us up, like Jesus, from our bed of pain and sickness and lead us to eternal life. Through this holy anointing may the Lord in His love and mercy help you with the grace of the Holy Spirit. Amen. May the Lord who frees you from sin save you and raise you up. Amen. Holy Orders As people of God, we all share in the priesthood of Christ, and so the Church speaks meaningfully of "the priesthood of all believers." Each of us is to exercise our priesthood by strengthening and serving one another. Within the Church there are many means of service. One way of service stands out as a sacrament, namely Holy Orders, which ordains the recipient to the office of bishop, priest or deacon. The priest's special calling is first and foremost to preach the Good News of God's love and humanity. In offering himself as a candidate for the priesthood, he must give evidence of wisdom and spiritual maturity, as he is called to lead the Christian community with patience and kindness. The priest celebrates Mass and administers the Sacraments, taking an active role in offering Christ's gift of Himself. From earliest times, deacons have had a special place in the pastoral work of the Church, preaching, ministering at baptisms and weddings, and caring for the poor and hungry on behalf of the whole Church. Nowadays, married men are more and more frequently ordained to the diaconate, where they have a strong role in assisting priests and bishops and serving the people. Finally, bishops are chosen and ordained to supervise and lead priests and deacons, to unify, bless and teach the people and act as a sign of Christ in the local church and community. Matrimony All love comes from God, and all love reflects the love that God has for His creation. The Sacrament of Marriage is, first and foremost, a sign and symbol of this love. Marriage is a sacrament of the self-giving love which two people offer to each other. The love which a couple have for each other mirrors the love God has for men and women. The minister of the Sacrament of Marriage is the couple themselves. The priest serves as a witness. The joy and mutual support of married love can be a source of strength which enables married people to serve others in a very powerful way. It should spill out to their children and to those around them and become a source of life, hope and comfort for others. This is reflected in the blessing which the priest often gives the newly-married couples, saying: "May you always bear witness to the love of God in this world, so that the afflicted and the needy will find in you generous friends and welcome you into the joys of Heaven."
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1/14/2015 0 Comments ANSWERING THE QUESTIONS AND ALLEGATIONS ABOUT BLACK NAZARENE FESTIVAL (BROUGHT YOU BY I LOVE INA PENAFRANCIA 360 APOLOGETICS)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 NAZARETH, 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 IN BIBLE. AND THE 3RD ONE IS 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 NAZARENE, 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 PORTRAYING ON HIS CALVARY DURING THE WALK UNDER THE HEAT OF SUN CARRYING HIS CROSS, WHICH FULFILLMENT 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: IT'S 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 STATUE OF JESUS NAZARENE. # 6. QUESTION: [ STATUE PROCESSIONING MEANS ALSO WORSHIPING ON IT?? ] ANSWER: NO, THAT IS A COMMON MISCONCEPTION BY THE NON CATHOLICS (OTHER RELIGIOUS DENOMINATION OUTSIDE CATHOLIC CHURCH). 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 WORSHIPING THIS ENGRAVED 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." THUS WE HAVE TO MAKE OUR TRADITION FOR FAITH, TO WORK FOR FAITH AND TO SHOW IT, AND WHY? BECAUSE FAITH WITHOUT WORK IS USELESS: 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. # 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.” 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 "IGLESIA NI CRISTO" THE "ANG DATING DAAN", "BORN AGAIN" AND OTHER ANTI-CATHOLICS THAT COMPLAIN AGAINST THIS 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 THEIR 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 JESUS, MARY, THE APOSTLES, AND MARTYRED SAINTS SHOULD BE USED AND REPLACE THE JEWISH STATUE OF CHERUBIM IN OLD TESTAMENT. AND WHY? FOR THE PURPOSE OF REMINDING CHRISTIAN PEOPLE HAVE DEPARTED & MARTYRED FOR FAITH. . 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 CATHOLICISM 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 DIASPORA, OFW, OR IMMIGRANTS. THE SPIRIT OF FILIPINO CATHOLICISM 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. ONE OF THESE YOUNG MEN IS NOW OUR CURRENT CHURCH LEADER, NOT JUST TO CATHOLIC CHURCH BUT IN A WHOLE CHRISTIANITY,
. HE IS "POPE FRANCIS" . . . THESE YOUNG BOYS PREFER TO CHOOSE THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN AND TO SERVE GOD’S PEOPLE. THEY ARE UNMARRIED FOR THEM TO DO THINGS FOR THE LORD’S SAKE AND FOR THE LORD’S CHURCH. . 1 CORINTHIANS 7:32 (New American Standard Bible) [32] But I want you to be free from concern. ONE WHO IS UNMARRIED IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE THINGS OF THE LORD, how he may please the Lord; . MATTHEW 19:12 (Good News Translation) [12] For there are different reasons why men cannot marry: some, because they were born that way; others, because men made them that way; AND OTHERS DO NOT MARRY FOR THE SAKE OF THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN. Let him who can accept this teaching do so.” . . . . WELCOME HERE IN THE PHILIPPINES POPE FRANCIS 01/15-19/2015 |
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