Feast of the Santo Niño (Cycle C, Year II)
Community Word: The light and glory of God is revealed in Jesus, our Savior.
Theme: Jesus, our Savior, is revealed when we are obedient to the will of the Father.
Promise: “…the God of our Lord Jesus Christ…may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation resulting in knowledge of Him.” (Eph 1:17)
Reflection:
The special Philippine Feast of the Santo Niño celebrates the birth of Christianity in our land leading to its evangelization and celebration of the Filipino culture. The readings of today’s feast invite us to imitate the ways, values and wisdom of Santo Niño as we acknowledge Him as the “Wonder-Counsellor, God-Hero, Father-Forever, and Prince of Peace” (Is 9:5). He is the Son who shares His blessings and inheritance with us.
Our theme for this week is – Jesus, our Savior, is revealed when we are obedient to the will of the Father. Santo Niño is a celebration for those who possess a heart of a child. We need a childlike heart to rely on the wisdom of God and to be totally in obedience to the will of the Father. All of us, whether young or old, have the capacity to have a childlike heart. The Son of God, the child who was born, is not the God of power as envisioned by the world, but the God of the helpless and vulnerable, the Son who obeys the Father and who is in total surrender to His will.
We can therefore declare that divine power is like that of a child, in his innocence, simplicity, humility, dependency and obedience. Pride is the reason for a man’s fall, whereas humility and obedience are keys to victory in the kingdom of God. To save mankind, God did not come to the world as someone who is powerful and strong. Though He is the King of kings and Savior of the world, He came as a child born in a lowly manger with only the shepherds in attendance, not in a home or in a kingly atmosphere.
Celebrating the Feast of the Santo Nino is a call to rediscover the child in our hearts and to preserve it. How can we witness to innocence of a child? One way is preserving our original goodness. We were born with goodness in our hearts because we are created in the image and likeness of God. It is only in our resolve to be humble, to be obedient and gentle in our character, to promote justice and peace, that we can preserve the character of a child in us.
Another way is by preserving our original joy. Take a look at a child – they have simple joy, they are innocent, but they give happiness, they are trusting and will always rely on their elders. The joy of the Lord springs not from getting everything we want but in knowing and doing the will of our Heavenly Father. Joy stems from seeing the blessings presented by God in our lives.
Our promise for the week says “the God of our Lord Jesus Christ… may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation resulting in knowledge of Him,” (Eph 1:17). We will never gain wisdom nor experience God’s presence if we are merely mindful of our life and our own comforts and satisfaction. Because living a simple life and a life of obedience to the will of the Father will allow us to experience God’s kingdom here on earth.
Viva Señor Santo Niño! Hail, Lord Holy Child!
Prayer:
Father God, life now is so complicated and full of stress. Lead us to reflect on the simplicity, humility and the innocence of a child. We know that joy, peace and love will emanate only from having You in our life. Bring us into the character like that of a child – dependent and obedient to Your will. Lead us always in communion with You, for You are the God of peace and the source of all our needs. We surrender to You our life! Renew us for we want to live a life pleasing to You, a life of obedience to Your will. In the name of Jesus, your Son by the power of the Holy Spirit, we pray. And we ask the loving prayers of our Blessed Mary and St. Joseph. Amen.
Reflection Questions:
- Do you seek and consider God’s will and plans in your life?
- What are your priorities? Do you recognize God even in struggles and challenges? Are you sensitive to His messages?
This Week’s Daily Mass Reading Guide:
January 16, 2022 (Sun) – Is 9:1-6/ Ps 97:1, 2-3, 3-4, 5-6-6/ Eph 1:3-6, 15-18/ Lk2:41-52
January 17, 2022 (Mon) – 1Sm 15:16-23/Ps 50:8-9, 16-17, 21, 23/Mk 2:18-22
January 18, 2022 (Tue) – 1Sm 16:1-13/Ps 89:20, 21-22, 27-28/Mk 2:23-28
January 19, 2022 (Wed) – 1Sm 17:32-33, 37-40-51/Ps 144:1, 2, 9-10/Mk 3:1-6
January 20, 2022 (Thu) – 1Sm 18:6-9;19;1-7/Ps 56:2-3,9-10,10-11,12-13/Mk 3:7-12
January 21, 2022 (Fri) – 1Sm 24:3-21/Ps 57:2, 3-4, 6, 11/Mk 3:13-19
January 22, 2022 (Sat) – 2Sm 1:1-4, 11-12, 19, 23-37/Ps 80:2-3, 5-7/Mk 3:20-21
“Ignorance of the Bible is ignorance of Christ. Read your Bible daily!”
