Today, with special permission from the Holy See, we celebrate the feast day of the Santo Niño in various parts of the Philippines, most notably in Cebu and Tondo.
History tells us that the image of the Holy Child Jesus was the first religious image to arrive in the country, marking the beginning of Christianity among Filipinos. But beyond historical accounts, it is the firsthand, life-changing experiences of countless Filipinos that have made this devotion deeply popular and truly special.
Personally, I hold a deep reverence for the Santo Niño. This Holy Child has been present in my life since day one. From growing up in Tondo until the age of five, returning during my college years in 2007, and living there before moving to Bulacan in 2021, Tondo has always been home to me.
Despite the common misconception that Tondo is a rowdy place, I feel at peace there. Perhaps it is because I am assured that the Santo Niño, the true King of Tondo is always present, watching over me, and keeping me from harm.
The Santo Niño de Tondo has witnessed all my firsts: from my first words and school achievements to my first job, first date, and even moments of heartbreak. In every stage, this Holy Child has steadied me, just as He securely holds the world in His hands.
Visiting Cebu twice, seeing the revered image of the Señor, and attending Mass in His church, my devotion to the Santo Niño grew even deeper.
It led me to reflect on how the Holy Child Jesus, the beloved Son of God, humbly subjected Himself and became obedient to Mary and Joseph.
In these modern times, when many take pride in their achievements and possessions and readily display them on social media, the littleness and humility of the Santo Niño remind us not to boast before God. Everything we have comes from Him; thus, the call for us to remain humble, submissive, and obedient to the Father.
May the feast of the Santo Niño keep us grounded in every success and teach us to respect one another, not by position or status, but by the goodness of the heart.
Prayer
Dear Santo Niño, we thank You for all the blessings and graces You have bestowed upon us. May our devotion to You lead us to charity, humility, and peace with our brothers and sisters. Amen.
Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph
29 December 2024
First Reading: Sir 3:2-6,12-14
Responsorial Psalm: Ps 128:1-2, 3, 4-5
Second Reading: Col 3:12-21
Gospel: Lk 2:4
Reflection
By: Grace B. Madriñan
Today is the Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph. I believe the readings for today are one of the most beautiful sets for families with full instruction and guidance on how to live according to the will of God.
"Wives, be subordinate to your husbands,
as is proper to the Lord.
Husbands, love your wives,
and avoid any bitterness toward them.
Children, obey your parents in everything,
for this is pleasing to the Lord.
Fathers, do not provoke your children,
so they may not become discouraged (Colossians 3:18-21)."
But even these teachings get misinterpreted. Wives are forced to follow their husbands leaving the women without the voice in decision making. Husbands define love differently. Children sometimes obey their parents even when it is wronf or against their will. And fathers provoke their children and call it discipline.
But there is yet another instruction and it says, "Put on, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another (Colossians 3:12-13). "
God probably knew that families are not perfect so we need to be guided with humility and forgiveness.
It is also fitting that we are celebrating the feast of the Holy Family this Christmas as it is the season for families to be together. Looking back, the moments that I took for granted when I was younger are the best memories after all. Because today, no matter how festive or extravagant our celebrations get, there will always be empty chairs. My brother and father can no longer be with us.
This is why it is always best to celebrate each moment and be grateful for our family's presence. Let us be more forgiving and loving because this is what God wills for us.
Prayer
Father God thank You for giving us the Holy Family to emulate, abundant wirh humility, compassion and love. May we be grateful and more loving to our own families as we follow Your will for us. These we pray in Jesus' name. Amen.
The LORD God said: "It is not good for the man to be alone.
I will make a suitable partner for him." So the LORD God formed out of the
ground various wild animals and various birds of the air, and he brought them
to the man to see what he would call them; whatever the man called each of them
would be its name. The man gave names to all the cattle, all the birds of the
air, and all wild animals; but none proved to be the suitable partner for the
man.
So the LORD God cast a deep sleep on the man, and while he was
asleep, he took out one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh. The
LORD God then built up into a woman the rib that he had taken from the man.
When he brought her to the man, the man said: "This one, at last, is bone
of my bones and flesh of my flesh; this one shall be called 'woman, ' for out
of 'her man' this one has been taken. "That is why a man leaves his father
and mother and clings to his wife
and the two of them become one flesh.
Responsorial Psalm: Ps 128:1-2, 3, 4-5, 6
Second Reading: Heb 2:9-11
Brothers and sisters:
He "for a little while" was made "lower than the
angels, " that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. For
it was fitting that he, for whom and through whom all things exist, in bringing
many children to glory, should make the leader to their salvation perfect through
suffering. He who consecrates and those who are being consecrated all have one
origin.
Therefore, he is not ashamed to call them 'brothers.'
Gospel: Mk 10:2-16
The Pharisees approached Jesus and asked, "Is it lawful for
a husband to divorce his wife?" They were testing him. He said to them in
reply, "What did Moses command you?" They replied, "Moses
permitted a husband to write a bill of divorce and dismiss her." But Jesus
told them, "Because of the hardness of your hearts he wrote you this
commandment. But from the beginning of creation, God made them male and female.
For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his
wife, and the two shall become one flesh. So they are no longer two but one
flesh.
Therefore what God has joined together, no human being must
separate." In the house the disciples again questioned Jesus about this.
He said to them, "Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits
adultery against her; and if she divorces her husband and marries another, she
commits adultery."
And people were bringing children to him that he might touch
them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this he became indignant
and said to them, "Let the children come to me; do not prevent them, for
the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Amen, I say to you, whoever does
not accept the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it." Then he
embraced them and blessed them, placing his hands on them.
Reflection
by Mark Vertido
In
the life of the Church, the month of October is one of the most colorful months
aside from December. It is celebrated as the month of Mama Mary, the month of
the Holy Rosary. But this year, October marks the start of the Year of Faith,
celebrating fifty years of the Second Vatican Council. Thus, I will focus our
Sunday reflections in the light of both celebrations.
In
today’s Gospel, Jesus clearly states our doctrine on marriage and divorce.
Simply, Jesus does not approve in any way the concept of divorce. And as such,
the Church had stated its position on divorce ever since. In the Philippines, a
number of groups are opening again the passing of a divorce bill with their
arguments of giving a better life for the wife and her children since the
marriage cannot be fixed already. The idea is noble in its own respect but I
believe that there is a nobler way to address this problem that has affected
many families in our society, leaving them broken.
As
I teach Filipino Family and Family Values System in college, my conviction that
the condition of the family reflects that of society has become more concrete.
Why is this so? Primarily, the family is the basic unit of our society. Now, as
we try to observe the things that are happening in our society as reflected by
main stream media, the concept of real family and marriage life has changed.
Watching “telenovelas” will reveal how the media wants to manipulate the
sanctity of marriage. It is interesting to note that the theme of some shows is
that anyone can sacrifice the marriage just to follow what the heart dictates.
I do not categorically include all shows but there are a majority of these.
These
shows and other forms have promoted a mentality among the people of how to deal
with unhappy relationships. But they fail to show the real meaning of being in
a relationship and so as more in married life. We have seen stories of getting
married because of what we call ‘love at first sight.’ Or that of young people
who get into pre-marital sex then marries each other. There might be some who
advocates a getting-to-know each other relationships or respecting each other
relationships but never been the focus.
Media
is one of the most powerful factors affecting the behavior of people nowadays
because of the fact that many are extremely addicted and reliant to
“telenovelas”. So it is not already surprising that many families experience
being broken because of the order of our traditions have been modified already.
This problem is likened to a grown tree that is very difficult to uproot
because the roots are embedded deeply. And we know already the causes of
unsuccessful marriage and the effects it brings to the couple and the child.
Reflecting
from the experience of my own parents, although, I would also be open to say
that my father had a past relationship but not legally bound and they had a
son. So I was the first born of my father to my mother whom he wedded. Their
story is like Romeo and Juliet also but because I was formed then they needed
to be with each other for the rest of their lives. Yes, I am a product of that
pre-marital thing but I thank them that they wanted me to live. I grew up in a
normal family; we may not have everything but we are happy. What I observed is
that my parents have respect and love for each other. They help each other to
raise the family. There are times of misunderstanding but I never seen my
father lifting a hand to hurt my mother. There is respect, responsibility and
love between them and they continue that until today, passing 22 years now.
Jesus,
Himself, was in danger of growing in a broken family when Joseph wanted to
divorce Mary but when Joseph was enlightened he accepted everything and raised
the Holy Family. This was because the Holy Family was guided by God. I cannot
imagine a missing father in the Holy Family and Mama Mary as a single mother.
The Holy Family is an example for every family.
Today,
some couples do not recognize God as the third partner of the marriage that is
why everything goes wrong. So I would conclude that the keys to successful
marriage are respect, responsibility, love and God. Jesus sets the rules and we
must follow. God has given an example to couples and they must imitate it. Our
society needs to be fixed and the key to this is a healthy family but then the
key to a healthy family lies with the couple.
The
Year of Faith focuses on the New Evangelization which includes the use of media
and technology in proclaiming the Gospel to the people of God. It is hard to
stop the main stream media but it is possible. Each of us as part of the Church
needs to work to bring back what was broken in our society. Let us start from our
own families, and then let us evangelize others through media and technology.
Commitment:
Be faithful in any relationship that we have.
Prayer
Lord,
bless every family on earth. Guide couples to recognize You in their life. Give
them the strength to surpass all conflicts and misunderstanding that may arise
in married life. Strengthen families that we may proclaim Your Name to everyone
as we try to revive the richness of faith in everyone. Make us one family in
You and let the Holy Spirit animate us to live and love truly. Amen.
ANABELLE PAYOD-BALLA is married and is blessed with four lovely daughters. Currently the Faith section Editor, Ana is one of the Tanghalang Anluwage’s members since its inception in 1991.
ART B. REYES is a semiconductor engineering professional. He is one of the founding members of Tanghalang Anluwage.
ELIZABETH R. EGUIA is an employee of a software provider company in Malaysia and has dedicated herself in bringing the Gospel to the barangay level.
NICOLA ALBANO-RACHIELE was a cardiac nurse for almost 8 years in Manhattan, NY before moving to Bethlehem, PA where she continues her career at St. Luke's University Health Network Electrophysiology Laboratory.
GRACE B. MADRINAN is an Industrial Engineering graduate of Polytechnic University of the Philippines, and currently works for a semiconductor company in Cavite.
EDGARDO TULABUT is a Logistics supervisor, Financial educator, Health Advocate, Future Feast Builder under the Light of Jesus-Pampanga, Blogger, Christian Music Enthusiast, & a Coffee Freak.
FIDJI RIVERA - SARMIENTO is a special educator, answered her calling to teach beyond their home-front by establishing her own intervention center. An advocate of the inclusion education system & of the handmade revolution.
MAYZELLE ATIENZA worked for 12 years as a product engineer in Intel Technology Philippines. She is currently serving as a full-time volunteer staffer for her Catholic charismatic community.
JEANNE THERESE HILARIO ANDRES was a youth worker of Christ’s Youth in Action and now a married mom of two. She and her husband are members of The Sword of the Spirit.
BENJ SANTIAGO is involved with keeping families together, & helping achieve financial independence. A member of Brotherhood of Christian Businessmen & Professionals, and Magis Deo Community.
FELY SANTIAGO is a Financial Teacher at International Marketing Group, a
Financial Mentor, Wealth Circle & Truly Rich Club, Bo Sanchez, Inc, and Head, Financial Mentoring Ministry, The Feast Bay Area.
ROSALINDA MARKELL was a Regent of the Daughters of Mary Immaculate of St. Joseph Church,Gagalangin, Tondo. Now residing in the US, was blessed with 5 children & now have 13 grandchildren, & 3 great-grand-children.
PATTY DE LA ROSA-PAAT is the writer for the web's "Ano Yun?" sub-section. She also serves as a catechist in her parish in Laguna, Philippines.
PAM MANZANO is Bachelor of Arts Major in Psychology graduate. She is the only daughter of TA senior member, the late Eliza Manzano and has a son named Piel.
GRACE JAMANDRI - FLORES is a public high school teacher in social studies. She was a parish youth leader and catechist in her younger years.
RENATO C. VIBIESCA
is teaching Literature & Creative Writing at the PUP, Jose Rizal University & St. Paul University in Quezon City. He's also contributing stories for Gospel Komiks and other publications.
THERESA BALLO is a graduate of BS Psychology in UST. She is currently working as a formation staff at the Campus Ministry and Service Office of Xavier School Nuvali.
CRIS BALLA manages a mobile apps and games design and development company. He also writes programs and designs graphics elements. He is the husband of Ana, Faith Section Editor.
MARK RODNEY P. VERTIDO is a teacher who now teaches at Holy Spirit Academy Manila. He is deeply involved in their Diocesan Youth Commission as a volunteer and other youth endeavors.
CARLO ALEXIS MALALUAN is a seminarian for the Diocese of Imus, Cavite. He have earned a degree in Bachelor of Science in Psychology before entering the Seminary. He is one of the facilitators of Online Usapang Bokasyon, an online vocation talk show of the Ministri sa Bokasyon of the Diocese of Imus. During his free time, he would spend reading books and illustrating.
MA. ROSALINA FLORES is a Technical Assistant at the Program Division of the Girl Scouts of the Philippines National Headquarters. She's also a member of the Manila Cathedral's Ministry of Lectors and Commentators.
JESSSA JANELLE PADILLA is a government employee. She is also a member of the Manila Cathedral - Basilica's Ministry of Lectors and Commentators.
JOSE PAULO M. GONZALES is a seminarian. He loves biking, swimming, and checking out new places and awesome sceneries. A lifelong learner and curious navigator, he believes there’s still a lot of wonder in life to be found.
