“What was I going to do again?” I would find myself entering a room and forgetting all of a sudden why I entered it. Whenever this happens, I retrace my steps. I go back to the last thing I was doing before I entered the room. And slowly, as I retrace my steps, I remember my thought process, and that brings me to recall what I have to do. 

Do you feel like you’ve lost God along the way? That suddenly what used to be a burning fire has become a burnt out candle without a flame? Or maybe life happened and things got in the way? 

Go back to where you lost Jesus. Go back to where you lost your faith. Maybe it’s a heartbreak, a closed door, a long wait, or even a very comfortable life. 

Wherever you lost Him, go back for you’ll find Him there again. Surrender the hurt, or whatever it is that made you forget about Him. 

He’ll be there waiting. Veia Lim Viñas (veiallim@gmail.com) 

reflect

As we celebrate the Feast of Sto. Niño, find joy like a child as you find Jesus again. 

Lord, I go back to the thing that made me turn my back from You. As I turn around, I find You there, never leaving my side. Thank You that You are faithful even when I am not. Amen. 

Saint Fillan, pray for us.

First Reading | Isaiah 9:1-6

The devotion to the Child Jesus reminds us of the humility of Jesus. He never places Himself first. Let us pray for the grace of humility because this virtue holds all other virtues together. St. Catherine of Siena tells us that humility is like the mortar between the bricks in a wall. Without humility, it is impossible to grow in holiness. We may do good, but do we act with the right motive? True humility is the only safe path to eternal life.

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!

Responsorial Psalm | Psalm 98:1, 2-3, 3-4, 5-6 

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

¹ Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done wondrous deeds; his right hand has won victory for him, his holy arm. (R) ² The Lord has made his salvation known in the sight of the nations he has revealed his justice. ³ He has remembered his kindness and his faithfulness toward the house of Israel. (R) All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation by our God. ⁴ Sing joyfully to the Lord, all you lands; 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 sing joyfully before the King, the Lord. (R)

Second Reading | Ephesians 1:3-6, 15-18 

This text explains the reason for following the Gospel. We serve and praise God not for our own benefit but to glorify Him. God does not need our praises. However, we need to do this for our sake. Focusing on God, and not on ourselves, will help us grow in humility which is an important aspect of a holy life.

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.

Gospel | Luke 2:41-52 

How often do we do self-serving things? This happens often in my life. Jesus’ desire to do the Father’s business is an example for us to do the same. Let us imitate the selflessness of Jesus and give witness to this essential part of the Gospel message. Let us seek God’s will and obey it.

Gospel Acclamation

And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.

⁴¹ Each year his parents went to Jerusalem for the feast of Passover, ⁴² and when he was twelve years old, they went up according to festival custom. ⁴³ After they had completed its days, as they were returning, the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it. ⁴⁴ Thinking that he was in the caravan, they journeyed for a day and looked for him among their relatives and acquaintances, ⁴⁵ but not finding him, they returned to Jerusalem to look for him. ⁴⁶ After three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions, ⁴⁷ and all who heard him were astounded at his understanding and his answers. ⁴⁸ When his parents saw him, they were astonished, and his mother said to him, “Son, why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been looking for you with great anxiety.” ⁴⁹ And he said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” ⁵⁰ But they did not understand what he said to them. ⁵¹ He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them; and his mother kept all these things in her heart. ⁵² And Jesus advanced in wisdom and age and favor before God and man.

Reflect:

“The finding of Jesus in the temple is the only event that breaks the silence of the Gospels about the hidden years of Jesus. Here Jesus lets us catch a glimpse of the mystery of His total consecration to a mission that flows from His divine sonship: ‘Did you not know that I must be about my Father`s work?’" (Luke 2:49; CCC, 534).

Read the Bible in one year! Read MARK 1 - 4 today.