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MANILA, Philippines — Diocese of Balanga Bishop Rufino Sescon Jr. took a swipe at corrupt government officials, urging them to follow Jesus’ example and “step down.”
In his homily at the "misa mayor" for the Black Nazarene at the Quirino Grandstand on Friday, January 9, Sescon reflected on this year’s theme, “Dapat Siyang Tumaas at Ako Nama’y Bumaba” (He must increase, but I must decrease) from the Gospel of John, calling on erring public officials and those clinging to power to “step down voluntarily.”
“Mga kapatid, matuto tayo kay Hesus Nazareno na bumaba nang kusa alang-alang sa pag-ibig. Sa ating bayan ngayon, may mga ayaw bumaba kahit mali na at bistado na. Ayaw bumaba kahit pahirap na sa bayan,” Sescon, who was the former Quiapo Church rector, said during his homily.
(Brothers and sisters, let us learn from Jesus Nazareno how to step down voluntarily for the sake of love. In our country today, there are those who refuse to step down even when they are in the wrong and their actions have been exposed. They refuse to step down even if they have become a burden to the nation.)
“Ayaw bumaba kahit nagdurusa na ang mga mahihirap. Ayaw bumaba kahit binabaha na at nasisira na ang bayan. Ayaw bumaba kahit hindi karapat-dapat,” he added.
(They refuse to step down even as the poor are already suffering. They refuse to step down even as the country is being flooded and destroyed. They refuse to step down even when they are no longer worthy.)
Sescon also reiterated the plea of former Novaliches Bishop Antonio Tobias in his previous homily at the House of Representatives in December 2025, urging lawmakers to “have shame.”
“Tumigil na. Tama na. Maawa na kayo sa taong bayan. Mahiya naman kayo. Bumaba na nang kusa. Alang-alang sa awa at pag-ibig,” he said.
(Stop it. Enough. Have mercy on the people. Have some shame. Step down voluntarily. Do it for the sake of mercy and love.)
Sescon urged the faithful to take initiative and prioritize their mission and spirit of service over merely competing for prestige.
He pointed out that everyone should strive to practice humility, noting that Christ set the example by voluntarily descending from heaven.
“Kung si Kristo na walang kasalanan bumaba ng kusa. Sana tayo din matutong bumaba ng kusa dahil sa pag-ibig. Pag-ibig sa Diyos, sa bayan, sa kapwa, at maging sa sarili. Bumaba ng kusa dahil nagsisisi at nagpapatawad. Bumaba ng kusa dahil nagpapaubaya sa mas tama at mas mabuti.”
Sescon celebrated the Mass for the feast day of the Black Nazarene instead of Manila Archbishop Cardinal Jose Advincula, as Advincula was invited, along with other cardinals, to Pope Leo XIV’s first “extraordinary consistory” in Vatican City.
‘Hindi bingi ang Diyos’
Sescon also said that Jesus descended to Earth not merely to listen to humanity, but to teach people how to approach and listen to Him.
He pointed out that while God is neither distant nor indifferent—being fully aware of the desires within every heart—it is often humans who remain “deaf and numb” to His will.
“Hindi naman malayo ang Diyos. Hindi siya bingi o manhid. Batid niya at dama niya tayong lahat. Alam niya kung anong nasa puso ng bawat isa sa atin,” he said.
(God is not distant. He is neither deaf nor indifferent. He recognizes and feels for every one of us. He knows exactly what is within each of our hearts.)
“Mga kapatid, kung bumaba si Hesus Nazareno para iangat tayo, tinatawag din niya tayong makibahagi para iangat ang ating bayan, iangat ang ating kapwa, iangat ang dangal ng bawat isa, bumaba sa sariling interes para sa kabutihan ng lahat, bumaba sa katahimikan kapag may inaapi na at niloloko, bumaba sa pagkamanhid upang magmalasakit sa bayan, bumaba sa kasalanan para sa tunay na pagbabago,” he added.
(Brothers and sisters, if Jesus Nazareno descended to lift us up, he is also calling us to take part in uplifting our nation, uplifting our fellow men, and uplifting the dignity of every person. [He calls us] to set aside our self-interests for the common good, to break our silence when others are being oppressed and deceived, to overcome our indifference in order to care for the country, and to turn away from sin for the sake of true change.)
The procession started at the Quirino Grandstand and will end at the Quiapo Church.
Moving ahead of its traditional schedule, the procession of the Black Nazarene commenced at 4 a.m., departing the Quirino Grandstand following the dawn prayer service.
As of 2 p.m., a total of 681,300 devotees were in Quiapo Church and along Ayala Boulevard, according to Quiapo Church officials.
