Devotion vs. position

Pit Senyor! It is Sinulog time again in Cebu! Millions will come or may already have started to come to Cebu to worship and to thank the Sto. Niño once again this time of the year.

Last week, devotees also trooped to Quiapo to express their devotion to the Black Nazarene. Braving the huge crowd that swarmed to express their devotion to the Black Nazarene, devotees left their comfort zone, their comfortable positions and places, just so they could be near and be able to touch their beloved Black Nazarene who has continued to touch their lives with His grace and love.

The solemn procession and serious worship of the Black Nazarene in Quiapo contrasts with the joyous celebration of the feast of Sto. Nino in Cebu. Devotion and worship in both festivals, however, are clearly palpable.

The following taken from Psalm 50 comes to mind about Cebu’s Sinulog: “Praise the Lord! Praise him with trumpets. Praise him with harps and lyres. Praise him with drums and dancing!”

There are those who will watch the Sinulog purely as a secular show, a secular gala. On the other hand, there will be those who will be there for their devotion to Baby Jesus, for the sacred dimension of this celebration. There will be those as well who will be there both for the secular and sacred aspects of the Sinulog.

The Sinulog is a yearly event, yet the festival never fails to attract millions, all with their own reasons for joining the celebration that is may be sacred or secular, or both.

And where crowds gather, expect those who want to capitalize on the numbers for their own purposes to be there as well. Malls will certainly be packed, so will sidewalks with more vendors than usual. And because this is election year, expect the politicians to make their presence known. The Sinulog will certainly be a grand show for many.

The Sto. Niño, God as the center of the celebration, however, should never be forgotten. God came to our shores and to our hearts as well. Together with all the worshippers and devotees, once again, we manifest our joy and thankfulness to God for gracing our lives, our hearts, with His continuing presence and grace. Pit Senyor!!! And Happy Sinulog celebration to you all!

For this Sinulog, many will be watching the developments at Capitol as well. Will the suspended Cebu governor be moved by her faith to dance as a continuing expression of her devotion to the Sto. Niño? Will she leap in faith to leave her present position to give way to her devotion? For sure, deep in her heart, she knows that beyond gowns and cash assistance, the Sto. Niño will be so happy to see her again dance out her devotion and gratitude to God.

We join her pray, just as we pray for all, to let go and let God and to believe and remember what Jeremiah wrote in Chapter 29, verse 11: “The Lord has plans for you, for your welfare, and for a future full of hope.” God’s justice and love will always see all of us through.

So let us all join hands once more this time of the year to “Praise the Lord! Praise him with trumpets. Praise him with harps and lyres. Praise him with drums and dancing!”

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