Feast of Santo Niño (Cycle A, Year II)
Community Word: True Christian disciples rise up and search diligently for Jesus, the Truth and the Light.
Theme: True Christian disciples humble themselves like a child.
Promise: “In love he destined us for adoption to himself through Jesus Christ.” (Eph 1:5)
Reflection:
The love for the Santo Niño is deeply etched in the heart of the Filipinos because the little image of Santo Niño is connected to the very foundations of Christianity in the Philippines. It was given by Magellan to King Humabon’s Queen as a baptismal gift, and later became the means of reconciliation and peace between Filipinos and Spaniards at the time of Legaspi and Urdaneta. Having miraculously survived the bombings of World War II, the image continues to be venerated today at the Augustinian Church in Cebu.
The good news is that it is the Infant Jesus whom we honor and love in the image of the Santo Niño. Jesus could have chosen to enter our earthly existence as a grown adult, a King, a mighty conqueror. But He preferred to come to us as any other child comes into the world, through the mediation of a mother, and with all the attendant demands of infancy. Should this not make us think and ponder on the profound reasons God chose for His Son to be born as a baby?
The image of the child brings home to us our complete dependence on God to whom we owe everything: life, health, gifts, family, and everything around us. The image of the child is moreover one of artlessness, innocence, purity of heart. It is one of joy and of winsome love. Jesus knew what He was doing when He came to us as a child and let the inspired writings develop that image of Him. Today, one will find those who think that our devotion to Jesus ought to center more on the adult Christ, the wonder-worker, the crucified, the risen one. No one denies the value of such motivation. But to consider the devotion to Santo Niño as immature and as reflecting a childish mentality hardly stands up against the clear directives of Jesus who gave His adult Apostles the image of the child as a model for their conduct:
“He called a child over, placed it in their midst, and said, ‘Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever receives one child such as this in my name receives me,’” (Mt 18:2-5).
If the Lord wanted us to learn spiritual childhood from the example of the child, from whom else can we learn it better than from the child Jesus Himself? All through His adult life Jesus manifested the very virtues of a true child of God: His utter trust in the Father in every situation, His total obedience to the plan and will of the Father, His loving kindness toward all men, his uncomplaining simplicity with whatever is at hand in food, clothing, habitation, or companions. God is simplicity, and Jesus Himself is a perfect example of childlike simplicity and love.
Enthroning the image of the Santo Niño in our homes and places of our business is surely praise-worthy, but what the Father expects of us is to imitate the virtues of the Infant Son, and become one with Him in mind and heart. Otherwise, our devotion to the Santo Niño remains on a superficial level.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, we thank you for teaching us the virtues of children, for if we become like them in character and aspirations, we are indeed preparing ourselves to live in your Kingdom. Help us too, to protect the little ones from the snares of this world, teaching them the right moral values and not tolerating the worldly things which are snatching away their innocence and purity. Make us true devotees, as children, in our complete trust and love of Your heavenly Father. Amen.
Reflection Questions:
1. Do I humble myself in obedience to the will and direction of God in my life? How can I apply the virtue of humility,
like a child, in my dependence on God?
2. Am I a good role model to others, especially to the children and young adults, in my manners, words, thoughts and intentions?
This Week’s Daily Mass Reading Guide:
January 19, 2013 (Sun) Is 19:1-6/Ps 97:1,2-3,4,5,6/Eph 1:3-6,15-19/Mt 18:1-5,10
January 20, 2013 (Mon) 1Sm 15:16-23/Ps 50:8,9,16,17,21,23/Mk 2:18-22
January 21, 2013 (Tues) 1Sm 16:1-13/Ps 89:20,21,22,27,28/Mk 2:23-28
January 22, 2013 (Wed) 1Sm 17:32,33,37,40-51/Ps 114:1,2,9,10/Mk 3:1-6
January 23, 2013 (Thur) 1Sm 18:6-9,19,:1-7/Ps 56:2,3,9,10,12,13,14/Mk 3:7-12
January 24, 2013 (Fri) 1Sm 24:3-21/Ps 57:2,3,4,6,11/Mk 3:13-19
January 25, 2013 (Sat) Acts 22:3-16 orActs 9:1-22/Ps 117:1,2/Mk 16:15-18
“Ignorance of the Bible is ignorance of Christ. Read your Bible daily!”
