That Kind of Faith

First Reading: Isaiah 9:1-6

But there will be no gloom for her that was in anguish. In the former time he brought into contempt the land of Zeb'ulun and the land of Naph'tali, but in the latter time he will make glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations. The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shined. You have multiplied the nation, you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as men rejoice when they divide the spoil. For the yoke of his burden, and the staff for his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Mid'ian. For every boot of the tramping warrior in battle tumult and every garment rolled in blood will be burned as fuel for the fire. For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government will be upon his shoulder, and his name will be called "Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."

Responsorial Psalm: Ps 96:1-2, 2-3, 7-8, 9-10

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

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.

For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints,  I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints.

Gospel: Luke 2:41-52

Every year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the Festival of the Passover.  When he was twelve years old, they went up to the festival, according to the custom.  After the festival was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it. Thinking he was in their company, they traveled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends.  When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him. After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions.  Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers. When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you.” “ Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” But they did not understand what he was saying to them. Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart. And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.

Reflection
By Pietro S Albano

These past few weeks, Catholics across the world have been exposed to the quite a number of celebrations as part of the Advent and Christmas seasons. While the rest of world has already gone back to its 'default' mode, the Philippines seem not yet done with Christmas as it celebrates the feast of the Sto. Niño.

It has been said that this feast, which is only celebrated in our country, pays tribute to the Holy Child as well as the Christian faith that has been passed on to us by our Spanish conquistadores.  Remember when Ferdinand Magellan came to our islands and converted King Humabon and his wife to Christianity? As a baptismal gift, Magellan gave the queen a statue of the Christ Child. It is believed that this statue is the one now venerated in Cebu.

With too much exposure to the many celebrations that have gone past plus the religious fervor displayed during this feast, I can't help but ask: How is our faith nowadays?  From the outside it seems robust, alive, active.  But how do we translate this in our daily living? How do we see it when all these festivities are over?

Is our faith still at its infancy period?  If it is, then we miss the point of the devotion to the Holy Child.  We miss the point of why faith was given to us as a gift. In the Gospel for this feast, we see a Jesus quite different from the one we have read in the Gospels during Christmas.  The once frail infant in the manger has grown up as a young boy starting to become more aware of His mission. His words to his wearied parents: “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?”.

This is the kind of faith that we are called to. A faith that makes us realize that we are not mere spectators or laid-back reactors in the Father's business, of doing His will 24/7.  Not a faith that is babied!  The work of evangelisation cannot be left in the hands of priests, nuns, teachers, catechists, manongs, and manangs.  If we identify ourselves as Christians, then let's roll up our sleeves and, like Jesus, be up and about in deepening and proclaiming our faith!

Prayer

Lord Jesus, as we pay homage to Your Divine Childhood, we ask You to pour upon us the Holy Spirit so that we too may realize our calling as Your followers. Strengthen us in our desire to deepen our faith so that, united with You, we may offer praise to the Father. Bless all children that they may grow "  in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man". Bless too all parents and all elders that like Mary and Joseph they may support children in their journey of faith.  Amen.