Praise Who?

As Jesus approached Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging. When he heard the crowd going by, he asked what was happening. They told him, "Jesus of Nazareth is passing by." He called out, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!"
Those who led the way rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!" Jesus stopped and ordered the man to be brought to him. When he came near, Jesus asked him, "What do you want me to do for you?" "Lord, I want to see," he replied. Jesus said to him, "Receive your sight; your faith has healed you." Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus, praising God. When all the people saw it, they also praised God. (Luke 18:35-43)


Every second Sunday in October one of the largest religious gatherings in Brazil happens here in Belem. Over a million people come to the city to pay homage to Mary, Mother of Jesus through a statue of her with the infant Jesus in her arms. The focus of the festival is not the infant in her arms, but Mary.

During this time, the statue that is named Nossa Senhora or Our Lady, is paraded though the streets of the city.

First comes a police escort to clear the way, then the offering takers walk the route holding out their bags to the people, then another police ad fire escort and finally the statue itself arrives decked out in a special shawl and in a casing covered with flowers. The whole parade stops frequently as fireworks salutes are shot off as she passes by. The car having the statue on top of it is followed up by more police and firemen and a host of other followers and lastly, the traffic that has been delayed because of the parade. The faithful will wait for hours for a glimpse of her as she passes by. The day they passed near our house we heard fireworks for 6 hours, only stopping after dark.


The day of the main procession the parade includes a rope for the penitent to pull that pulls the cart the statue is on, a cart of fake body parts to which you may add your own if you want to pray for healing is part of the parade.

For this special day even the poor make an effort to wear fancy new clothes and shoes and eat special foods in celebration.

But to whom is the glory? Who is praised? When all the people see what is happening they give the glory to Mary, not to the infant son of God she holds in her arms. Those who praise, praise Mary and not her son Jesus, the son of God.

What a contrast to this healing in the scriptures.