When devotion cross the line from faith into danger

OPINION COLUMN 

Every January, millions of Filipinos gather in Quiapo, Manila, to take part in the Traslación of the Black Nazarene one of the largest religious processions in the world. It is a powerful expression of faith, hope, and endurance. For many devotees, the image of the suffering Christ mirrors their own hardships, making the devotion deeply personal and emotionally charged.

Yet the recent Traslación, attended by an estimated more than seven million devotees, once again forces us to pause and reflect. Amid the prayers and chants were reports of injuries, stampedes, people collapsing from exhaustion, and even deaths including a photojournalist who reportedly suffered cardiac arrest. These realities raise a difficult but necessary question: When does devotion cross the line from faith into danger?

At the heart of Christianity is a foundational truth: Jesus Christ already made the ultimate sacrifice. According to Christian belief, salvation was accomplished through His suffering, death, and resurrection. The Gospel reminds us that grace is a gift not something earned through physical pain, risk, or self-harm. As Scripture teaches, God is omniscient, omnipresent, and omnipotent. He knows the intentions of the heart even before a prayer is spoken.

This leads us to reflect honestly:

Do we need to endanger our lives to prove our faith?

Is it aligned with Christian teaching when devotion results in harm to oneself or worse, to others?

Faith, at its core, should never justify trampling, injuring, or endangering fellow human beings. No act of devotion should result in another person being hurt, suffocated, or left unconscious on the streets. Christian morality consistently upholds the dignity and value of every human life. Love of God cannot be separated from love of neighbor.

To be clear, this reflection is not an attack on the Traslación nor a dismissal of Catholic devotion. For many, participating in the procession is a sincere act of prayer, gratitude, and hope. The Church itself teaches that popular devotions, when properly understood, can deepen faith and bring people closer to God.

However, faith must always be guided by reason, compassion, and responsibility. The Catechism of the Catholic Church affirms that God desires mercy, not suffering for its own sake. True devotion should lead to conversion of heart, charity, humility, and care for others not reckless risk.

This reflection also extends to other religious festivities, including celebrations honoring the Señor Sto. Niño, where faith and festivity sometimes mix with excessive drinking, disorder, and violence. When religious celebrations lose their spiritual focus and result in public harm, it becomes the shared responsibility of spiritual leaders, communities, and devotees to call for correction not condemnation, but guidance.

Respectfully, this is not about one religion alone. Christians, Muslims, Iglesia ni Cristo members, Adventists, and people of all faiths believe in one Creator. While our practices differ, the sanctity of life is a shared moral foundation. Any religious expression that endangers life deserves thoughtful re-examination.

Faith is not measured by how much pain we endure, but by how much love we show. Even the simple intention to pray, to attend worship, to give thanks these already glorify God. The Gospel assures us that God sees the heart long before the crowd gathers.

Conclusion and Advisory

Religious celebrations should be life-giving, not life-threatening. As future Traslación events and religious festivals approach, there must be stronger emphasis on safety, discipline, and spiritual meaning. Devotees are encouraged to express faith in ways that uphold life and respect others. Authorities and religious leaders must continue improving crowd control, health response, and spiritual formation.

May our devotions always lead us closer to God and never farther from our responsibility to protect life.

May every celebration be meaningful, peaceful, and safe for Manileños, Cebuanos, Pagadianons, and all Filipinos who seek God with sincere hearts.

By: Mr. Sherman Calotes | Philippine People's Press - In Truth We Prevail