Doing My Father's Affairs

Feast of the Sto. Niño
17 January 2010


Come, let us worship Christ, the beloved Son, in whom the Father is well pleased.

First reading Isaiah 9:1-6
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; Upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom a light has shone.

You have brought them abundant joy and great rejoicing, As they rejoice before you as at the harvest, as men make merry when dividing spoils.

For the yoke that burdened them, the pole on their shoulder, And the rod of their taskmaster you have smashed, as on the day of Midian.

For every boot that tramped in battle, every cloak rolled in blood, will be burned as fuel for flames.

For a child is born to us, a son is given us; upon his shoulder dominion rests. They name him Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero, Father-Forever, Prince of Peace.

His dominion is vast and forever peaceful, from David's throne, and over his kingdom, which he confirms and sustains by judgment and justice, both now and forever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this!

Psalm or canticle: Psalms 97:1-6

Second reading Ephesians 1:3-18
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavens, as he chose us in him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and without blemish before him.

In love he destined us for adoption to himself through Jesus Christ, in accord with the favor of his will, for the praise of the glory of his grace that he granted us in the beloved. In him we have redemption by his blood, the forgiveness of transgressions, in accord with the riches of his grace that he lavished upon us. In all wisdom and insight, he has made known to us the mystery of his will in accord with his favor that he set forth in him as a plan for the fullness of times, to sum up all things in Christ, in heaven and on earth.

In him we were also chosen, destined in accord with the purpose of the one who accomplishes all things according to the intention of his will, so that we might exist for the praise of his glory, we who first hoped in Christ.

In him you also, who have heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and have believed in him, were sealed with the promised holy Spirit, which is the first installment of our inheritance toward redemption as God's possession, to the praise of his glory.

Therefore, I, too, hearing of your faith in the Lord Jesus and of your love for all the holy ones, do not cease giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation resulting in knowledge of him. May the eyes of (your) hearts be enlightened, that you may know what is the hope that belongs to his call, what are the riches of glory in his inheritance among the holy ones.

Gospel Luke 2:41-52
Every year the parents of Jesus used to go to Jerusalem for the feast of the Passover. When he was twelve years old, they went up for the feast as usual. When they were on their way home after the feast, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem without his parents knowing it. They assumed he was with the caravan, and it was only after a day’s journey that they went to look for him among their relations and acquaintances. When they failed to find him they went back to Jerusalem looking for him everywhere.

Three days later, they found him in the Temple , sitting among the doctors, listening to them, and asking them questions; and all those who heard him were astounded at his intelligence and his replies. They were overcome when they saw him, and his mother said to him, ‘My child, why have, you done this to us? See how worried your father and I have been, looking for you.’ ‘Why were you looking for me?’ he replied ‘Did you not know that I must be busy with my Father’s affairs?’ But they did not understand what he meant.

He then went down with them and came to Nazareth and lived under their authority. His mother stored up all these things in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom, in stature, and in favour with God and men.

Reflection
By Gharri Tulabut

My parents were so astounded one day after having a conversation with one close relative. They learned that this relative takes prohibited drugs and that he’s so comfortable discussing the vice with them as if he was only referring to a hobby. When my mom was telling me this, she couldn’t help but appreciate the fact that they never had the same issues with us, their eight children. Despite how hard life was in the past (and it still is), we never gave in to such temptation. I told her it was all because of how they brought us up especially, how they exposed us to the Father’s affairs (i.e. the Church activities) even at a young age. Imagine, instead of doing any worldly activities, my brothers are in the barrios forming church chorale groups and my sisters teaching catechism. I, on the other hand, was then training altar boys, or cleaning the church pews and patio, or leading the 6pm Angelus.

I am not a parent yet but I encourage parents to do the same as my parents did. Encourage your children to be involved in Church activities at a young age. Given the opportunity, I will do that to my future children. Not only that you are able to help your parish, it is also a free investment for your children’s values formation. I should know (ahem!).

I know it’s almost a month after Christmas but let me tell you one more story about Noche Buena… or the absence of it in our family. We used to have Noche Buena on Christmas Eve just like most Filipinos do. But eventually, we let that tradition be erased from our family vocabulary. Not that I am discouraging you to celebrate Noche Buena, no! Actually, we just never had a complete Noche Buena attendance even before some of my sibs got married. Like there was one time after the Midnight Mass when my mom was left at home with our youngest sister. Where is the rest of the family? We were all serving at the next Mass in two more barrios after ours. My dad was a lay minister, one sister was a lector, I was an altar boy, and the rest were with the choir (as if our respective organization’s schedulers conspired to put our whole family in those Mass celebrations). But my mom never got worried or saddened by the situation for she knows that her husband, together with her niños and niñas were doing The Father’s business. After all, she might have been there too had the Catholic Women’s League been given a role at Mass. :)

Oh, before you think that Church activities deprive us the family bonding on Christmas day, don’t worry, we just moved our celebration from midnight to midday… now with ten more niños and niñas… my nephews and nieces.

Father, we pray for Your children who resort to vices as a substitute for real love. May they find true love in You through family and friends. Amen

Next week on God-speak My So-Called Singing Career