OUR “ENTHUSIASTIC FAITH” IN THE SANTO NIÑO

Feast of the Sto. Niño

(Proper Feast in the Philippines)

Holy Childhood Day and Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

Is 9: 1-6 / Ps 97 / Eph 1: 3-6. 15-18 / Lk 2: 41 – 52

Filipinos have a special love for the Santo Niño. This devotion to the Holy Child has been expressed in various ways. Aside from the usual kingly features of the Santo Niño, devotees dress their images according to their profession. Thus, we can see a Santo Niño dressed as a policeman, a fireman, a doctor, etc. Almost in every home of Filipinos, an image of the Santo Niño is always visible. Even in business, to be “surer” with their income, businessman place near their counters an image of both the Santo Niño and the golden cat that waves its hand for eternity. Indeed, Filipinos have a special love for the Santo Niño.

But let me ask you a question: Every time you look at the image of the Santo Niño what do you see? Take away his imperial crown, his majestic cape, his golden scepter, globe, and boots, and his clothes adorned with gold and precious stones. All that will be left is the image of a vulnerable and innocent child. However, my dear friends, this child is no ordinary one for in our first reading today, he is called the “Wonder Counselor, God Hero, Father Forever, Prince of Peace. His dominion is vast and forever peaceful.” Through the birth of this child, we, as our second reading puts it, enjoy “every spiritual blessing in the heavens.” For through his birth, we have been destined for God’s adoption as his sons and daughters.

In our Gospel today, despite being the Son of God and having all the rights and privileges to remain with His Father in the Temple, the Santo Niño remained obedient and went home with Mary and Joseph. And it was in that humble family at Nazareth, that Jesus grew up in wisdom, age, and grace.

My dear friends, Pope Francis during his homily on the Feast of the Santo Niño at the Quirino Grandstand last year, admired the country for having received a very special gift of God, a special blessing of being the “foremost Catholic nation in Asia.”  We cannot but be proud of our “enthusiastic faith” in the Santo Niño. However, our Gospel reminds us that this faith should be like that of the child Jesus who LISTENED and OBEYED his parents. Our faith should continue to listen not only to the voice of God but also to the voice of our suffering brothers and sisters.

In this Jubilee Year of Mercy, let us listen to the voice of God who constantly calls us to DAILY REPENTANCE and CONVERSION. For what use is our “sayaw sayaw to the Santo Niño” if “sayaw-wa diay ang atong kinabuhi.” Let us also listen to the voice of our brothers and sisters who are suffering from the world’s greed and selfishness. For what use is our singing of the Gozos to the Santo Niño if we ourselves do not sing the song of our suffering brethren. My dear children of God, Pope Francis is very much delighted with us Filipinos because of our “enthusiastic faith.” May we truly show this enthusiasm not only in our colorful costumes and beautiful choreographies during the Sinulog. Rather, may we truly express this enthusiastic faith in our obedience to the voice of God and in our service to the rest of humanity.

A man once had a conversation of God. Before God, he enumerated to Him all his frustrations on earth. “O Lord, you once said, that we simply have to seek and we shall find; and to knock and the door will be opened for us. However, we have prayed a lot. Yet there are still many children who are dying every day because of hunger. There are still many women who are victims of human trafficking. Corruption in our country in unsolvable. Human life has become very cheap because of the many wars and acts of terrorism. I guess it’s time for you to end this world for there is no more hope for a better future.” After his long litany of complaints, God simply asked him a question, “I have given you your hands and feet. Have you already used them to save even a single street child on the street?”

As we celebrate the feast of the Santo Niño, may we use our hands not only in waving in front of his image. May we use our feet not only in joining the foot procession of his image. Rather, may we use our hands and feet in helping a suffering brother and sister in our world today. Amen.

Pit Senyor! Viva Senyor Santo Niño!