Cycle A - Year II:  

19 January 2020: Feast of the Sto. Nino 

(Liturgical Color: White)

Readings:

First Reading:        Isaiah 9:1-6

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

Gospel:  Please Read  Matthew 18:1-5, 10

"The Sto. Nino: God humbles Himself as a child!"

 Why did God choose to be a Child?  That is an interesting question.  Let us reflect on this Sunday's Gospel to search for the answer.

The third Sunday of January is the Feast of the Sto. Nino in the Philippines.  This devotion to the Holy Child is considered the oldest and one of the most popular in the country, recalling the birth of the Christian faith in the Philippines in 1521.  That is why the Holy See granted special permission to celebrate the Feast of the Sto. Nino every third Sunday of January which falls on 19 January in 2020.

It is not surprising that the devotion is very popular because it reflects the love of Filipinos for children.  The birth of a child brings joy and peace to the family, because a child is considered a precious gift from God.  The child unites the households and makes the parents' marriage even stronger through the years.  A child is also a sign of hope because a family that has been blessed with a child has a future to look forward to.  A wise man said, that every child born into our world is a clear proof that God Almighty has not grown tired of the human race.

In the Gospel from St. Matthew, the disciples asked our Lord: "Who is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven?"  Now, they were thinking obviously in terms of human abilities and pride in accomplishing "great" things.

Instead of using complicated language in His response, our Lord Jesus shows them a child as a model and standard by which we can measure ourselves if we are growing in virtue and grace for God's kingdom.

For a child is our model of humility before God, because a child is not consumed with ambition, pride and self-importance.  In such a transparent humble soul without deceit or guile we are able to see our Lord Jesus Christ Himself 

Now, humility is to serve and not to be served.  It seeks the lower place because it does not seek attention, does not grasp for glory, does not desire title, nor stature, nor recognition.  Instead, humility seeks the advancement of others over oneself.

And so, the devotion to the Sto. Nino instills the virtue of simplicity, obedience and trust in God.

Such is the lesson from the Gospel proclamation this Sunday.  We are called to become like children, ever humble, careful not to despise others, so that we may enter the Kingdom of heaven.

In the words of our Lord Jesus Christ Himself: "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."  (Mt 18:3-4)

Third Sunday of January is also our Village Fiesta since our Patron is the Sto. Nino.  Our celebration is preceded with a 9-day novena in the evening in our community chapel.  The Feast Day is highlighted with a procession of the Sto. Nino around our village and Thanksgiving Mass at 8:30 in the morning.

Happy Feast Day of the Sto. Nino!  Viva Pit Senyor!  And thank you for a moment with God.

Ad Jesum per Mariam!