Cycle A - Year I:  

15 January 2023: Feast of the Sto. Niño 

(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 

Be like a child!

It's the third Sunday of January and the Feast of the Sto. Niño in the Philippines. This is a festive celebration in numerous cities around the country particularly in Cebu. With millions of people flocking the streets to join the annual colorful festivity, the feast is a testimony to the vibrant faith of Filipinos in Jesus.

It is not surprising that the devotion to Sto. Niño 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.

The Gospel is from St. Matthew and the disciples asked our Lord: "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?"  Obviously, the disciples were thinking 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: Be like a child!

But can a child be the greatest in a kingdom?

Jesus is teaching us to be like a child, aware of our own powerlessness and vulnerability. Like a child who is curious, Jesus is telling us to have the eagerness to learn from our Father in heaven.  

So the Good News this Sunday: Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And to be humble like a child, we must regain our dependence on Divine Provision and Divine Protection.

Jesus Himself said: "Learn from me for I am meek and humble of heart." (Mt 11:29) So we must learn from Jesus that humility is sine qua non for greatness in His kingdom.  In the end, those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted. (Mt 23:12)

Trivia: The 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. The Holy See granted special permission to celebrate this Feast of the Sto. Niño every third Sunday of January.

Viva Pit Señor! Viva Señor Santo Niño!

Happy Feast Day Santo Niño!  Thank you for a moment with God.

Ad Jesum per Mariam!