Jesus’ arrival should not be taken as a sign of defeat but rather as a pursuit of love, Bishop of Balanga Most Rev. Rufino Sescon Jr. said during the Misa Mayor for the Feast of Jesus Nazareno at midnight on Friday, Jan. 9.

Sescon presided over the celebration at the Quirino Grandstand on behalf of Manila Archbishop Jose Advincula, who attended a conference in Rome.

In his homily, the bishop called his role a “grace” and said that blessings and miracles from the Jesus Nazareno are “one of a kind.”

“Kaya’t naniniwala ako na pambihira lagi ang biyaya at himala ng ating Mahal na Poong Hesus Nazareno,” Sescon said.

Reflecting on this year’s theme of “Dapat Siyang Tumaas at Ako Nama’y Bumaba,” the bishop shared that it was inspired by the words of St. John the Baptist.

“Sinasabihan tayo ni San Juan na tayo’y dapat bumaba upang si Hesus ay tumaas,” he said. “Sapagkat sabi nga sa Ebanghelyo ngayon, ang bumaba mula sa langit ang siyang tunay na itataas ng Diyos.”

The bishop also said that the first coming of Jesus Nazareno is the reason He is celebrated and worshipped.

“Kaya siya dinadakila, kaya siya’y itinatampok. Walang hihigit sa kanyang Pangalan at ang lahat ay yuyuko sa Kanya,” Sescon added. “Kusang loob siya bumaba dahil sa awa at pag-ibig.”

Sescon noted that in today’s age, there are those refusing to “step down,” despite light being shed on their wrongdoings.

“May mga ayaw bumaba kahit mali at bistado na. Ayaw bumaba kahit pahirap na sa bayan, kahit nagdurusa na ang mga mahihirap.” he said.

Towards the end of his homily, he urged attendees that Jesus came down from Heaven and embodied a human persona, for people to further seek and hear His presence.