Author's Note: This post is based on my faith, on what I believe, and on what the Bible say. Still, I wrote this for you, my readers, that you may know what's right, and what God says in the Scriptures. Thanks.
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| Courtesy of Inquirer.net |
Last January 9, a big news made the headlines. It's an event that showed Catholic faith, maroon shirts, and what else but crowded roads. "The Feast of The Nazarene", as they call it, went again. But it's different this year than the previous years, as I saw it on TV and on print throughout the years.
Crowds are larger, making incidents and injuries on some. Vast devotees were around the Quiapo church, around Plaza Miranda and Quirino Grandstand, and throughout the procession. Most of them crawled and struggled to go through the icon that they believe to bring miracles, and they either put their towels on it or say their prayers. They shouted the usual “Viva! Viva!”. They even defy alerts of plotted terror attacks announced by the President. Also, the procession of the caravan lasted almost a day.
However, as an adolescent aware of the news and as a born-again Christan, I am saddened by this event and its futility and contradiction to the 2nd commandment of the Ten Commandments.
"You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below."-Exodus 20:3-4 (NIV)
Like my mother said, it's awful to see this people clinging to their faith, clinging to the man-made representation of Jesus Christ. It's not good to see vast crowds, believing in God of course, waiting and rushing through their "Black Nazarene", expecting him(
it) to hear their prayers, to heal them of their sicknesses, or to grant them blessings. It's an entire idolatry.
"They would not listen, however, but persisted in their former practices. Even while these people were worshipping the Lord, they were serving their idols. To this day their children and grandchildren continue to do as their fathers did."-2 Ki 17:40-41(NIV)(Emphasis mine)
How wrong the feast really was! They are misled to something untrue. As Dr. Anthony P. Pezzota, a former Roman Catholic who turned Christian, put it on his book, "
Truth Encounter":
"Roman Catholics are truly misled whenever they are taught that the second commandment does not apply to our time or is the simple repetition of the first."(Emphasis mine)
God is only the one to be worshiped. He, our Creator, should be only honored. He, who loves us so much that He gave His Son, Jesus Christ, should be the One to be trusted and relied on; not mere figures or statues. Furthermore, Dr. Pezzotta wrote on his book:
"Idolatry is directing honor, praise, respect, or affection that rightly belongs to God to some created person or thing."(Emphasis mine)
While you worship some saint or icon, you praise or honor it instead of God, who really deserves our praise.
"Those who cling to worthless idols forfeit the grace that could be theirs."-Jonah 2:8 (NIV)
But idolatry is not limited to icons. Idolatry can also be
on material things, on money, on self, on people-personality cults, or even someone you love.
How bad and blind idolatry is. Instead of worshiping God, people would bow, kiss, or hold to saints or figures of Christ or Mary.
If you want to learn more about what I wrote today, I recommend you to read "
Truth Encounter: Catholicism and the Holy Scriptures" by Anthony Pezzotta. Nevertheless, always read the Bible that you may know the truth and obey it. I'm also open to your questions. Just comment. You may also talk to a pastor near you.
Some may just ignore this or even distaste me for working on such a post. But I'm just telling the truth as a believer in Christ. That's what The Ten Commandments said. That's God wanted for us: our praises, our honors, and-of course-our love to the One who truly loved and remained faithful and loyal to us.
May you never be blinded by your faith.
References:
Truth Encounter by Anthony Pezzotta
News about the Feast: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/125277/millions-defy-terror-alert
Bible verses found on http://www.acts17-11.com/idolatry.html
