Feast of Sto. Niño

“Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” – Mark 10:15

       Let me share with you a Filipino folk song:

       Magtanim ay di biro (Planting rice is never fun)

       Maghapong nakayuko (Bent from morn till sunset)

       Di naman makatayo (Cannot stand)

       This is one of the most important life principles that we must all learn if we intend to shift from success and move towards significance. It’s called the Law of the Farm.

       What you sow, you will reap. If you don’t plant, there’ll be no harvest. When you want fruits, work on the roots. Those who plant in tears shall reap rejoicing. By the fruits you will know the tree. To harvest is to reap more than what you sowed.

      I believe that when Jesus said, “Unless we become like little children,” He doesn’t just call us to be childlike, but more so, to respect the power of our potentials. As seeds promise an orchard, children promise heroes. We must see not only our present problems but also our potential to solve them and to bless the world. Obet Cabrillas (obetcab@yahoo.com)

Reflect: When we see children, what do we see — problems or potentials? Respect your inner child. He is your potential giant!

Lord, we come to You weak and vulnerable. Bless us, heal us, and transform us, so You can send us out strong and mighty. Amen.

St. Agnes, martyr, pray for us.

The Feast of Santo Niño reminds us that Jesus Christ came into the world as a helpless child. He was as vulnerable as any other human being and stands in solidarity with us. Why is this important? Because this solidarity speaks about God’s commitment to us.

1 The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom a light has shone. 2 You have brought them abundant joy and great rejoicing, as they rejoice before you as at the harvest, as men make merry when dividing spoils. 3 For the yoke that burdened them, the pole on their shoulder, and the rod of their taskmaster you have smashed, as on the day of Midian. 4 For every boot that tramped in battle, every cloak rolled in blood, will be burned as fuel for flames. 5 For a child is born to us, a son is given us; upon his shoulder dominion rests. They name him: Wonder-counselor, God-hero, Father-forever, Prince of Peace. 6 His dominion is vast and forever peaceful, from David’s throne, and over his kingdom, which he confirms and sustains by judgment and justice, both now and forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this!

R: All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation by our God.

1 Sing a new song to the Lord who has done marvelous deeds; whose right hand and holy arm have won the victory for him, his holy arm. (R) 2 The Lord has made his victory known; triumph for the nations to see. 3 He has remembered faithful love toward the house of Israel. (R) All the ends of the earth have seen the victory of our God. 4 Shout with joy to the Lord, all the earth; break into song; sing praise. (R) 5 Sing praise to the Lord with the harp, with the harp and melodious song. 6 With trumpets and the sound of the horn shout with joy to the King, the Lord. (R)

Paul encourages us to be open to the work of the Spirit within us. He personally experienced the power of the Holy Spirit in his life and he wants us to experience the same transforming power and faith. Our devotion to the Santo Niño increases our faith and commitment as Christians to do good works. For faith without work is dead.

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavens, 4 as he chose us in him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and without blemish before him. In love 5 he destined us for adoption to himself through Jesus Christ, in accord with the favor of his will, 6 for the praise of the glory of his grace that he granted us in the beloved. 15 Therefore, I, too, hearing of your faith in the Lord Jesus and of your love for all the holy ones, 16 do not cease giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, 17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation resulting in knowledge of him. 18 May the eyes of your hearts be enlightened, that you may know what is the hope that belongs to his call, what are the riches of glory in his inheritance among the holy ones.

Jesus calls both the young and old to be His disciples. In today’s Gospel, He invites the children to come to Him as He did with many saints whom He called at a tender age. During the time of the Early Church, entire households were baptized, adults and children alike. Let us remember that we have the responsibility to evangelize even children.

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.

13 People were bringing children to Jesus that he might touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. 14 When Jesus saw this he became indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not prevent them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 15 Amen, I say to you, whoever does not accept the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it.” 16 Then Jesus embraced them and blessed them, placing his hands on them.

think: In what ways does Jesus want you to be childlike?

Read the Bible in one year Matthew 16-18

T O D A Y’S BLESSING LIST

thank You, Lord, for: ______________________________________

TO COME AND TO TRUST IN GOD

While on vacation in North America a few years ago, I was amused at how parents raise their children. They allow them to freely roam around and explore their surroundings amid the many dangers. They would only come to their children when they have fallen or got hurt in the process, so unlike their Filipino counterparts who are overprotective even until their children reached adulthood.

        On this feast of the Sto. Niño, we focus on two action words that distinguish adults from children: coming and preventing. “When Jesus saw this He became indignant and said to them: ‘Let the children come to me; do not prevent them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these’” (Mark 10:14, NIV).

        As children learn to walk, they never seem to run out of energy to explore the world around them. They are filled with a sense of wonder in making a connection with anyone and anything. So unlike us adults who always think twice or thrice before approaching a person or thing; worst of all, we are like the Apostles who prevent others, like the children, from going to a person or thing. A critical factor between this “coming” by children and “preventing” by adults is the virtue of trust.

     Trust is more than believing and having faith; it is an anticipation of something bigger and better. Children may not have a full grasp of the dangers whenever they would come to anyone or anything, but they trust that it could be nicer and funnier, or fulfilling, as we adults would say. This is what we adults seem to lose as we grow older. We trust less — others and ourselves, and even situations — due maybe to past hurts as well as uncertainties of the future. In the process, we not only lose faith and hope but also our creativity and sense of newness, two important ingredients in loving. The feast today reminds us to have such childlike trust in God because aside from having faith in the Father, it also means believing that things and situations could get better. Fr. Nick Lalog

------- REFLECTION QUESTION -------

Are you more of a “coming” person or a “preventing” one like the Apostles?

Lord Jesus, You are the Son of God who came to us first as a Child to remind and assure us of daring to take that small step of coming into life by coming closer to You. Give us the trust and courage to do so like a child. Amen.

Today, I pray for: ___________________________________