Matured Devotee

 The Feast of the Sto. Niño

16 January 2022

 

First Reading: IS 9:1-6

Responsorial Psalm: PS 97, 1:2-3ab, 3cd-4, 5-6

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

Gospel: LK 2:41-52

 

Reflection

By: Pietro S. Albano

 

Makamatanda (old fashioned). I guess that would have also been what the boy Jesus' contemporaries would label Him given today's Gospel. Instead of devoting His time to enjoy the company of His friends travelling to and from Jerusalem, He literally stayed in the Temple. I have the impression that through a boy, Jesus was already starting to realize His future vocation and so, without telling His parents, He conversed for three days and nights with the teachers in the Temple and asking them questions. Although Mary and Joseph did not have a clue of why Jesus did this, they nurtured and prepared Him for His mission. This preparation was not done overnight, but lasted for 30 years (aka Jesus' hidden life).

As a Catholic nation, we have a strong devotion to the Sto. Niño. We have a soft spot in our heart for the Christ Child. It is not surprising that there are many depictions of our Infant Lord - dressed as a monarch, a policeman, a homeless boy, etc. They are not bad per se. However, if we are not careful, we are in danger of failing to see that the Sto. Niño moved on from the crib to the cross, from the cross to the grave, from grave to the right hand of the Father. Indeed, "grew in wisdom and stature and in favor of God and man." Has your devotion to the Sto. Niño allowed you to grow as a mature Christian or not? Has the devotion challenged you to become a Missionary Christian?

Prayer

O Jesus, Beloved Sto. Niño, we adore You. Through the prayers and example of Mary and Joseph, grant us the grace to also grow "in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and man" so that we may share the gift of mission to others. Amen.