DAILY- HOMILY

JANUARY 15, 2012
FEAST OF THE STO. NIÑO
2ND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME – B

Is 9:1-6 / Eph 1:3-6, 15-18 / Mk 10:13-16
Readings for the 2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time: 1 Sm 3:3b-10, 19 / 1
Cor 6:13c-15a, 17-20 / Jn 1:35-42, Green

ISAIAH 9:1-6
The people who walk in darkness have seen a great light. A light has
dawned on those who live in the land of the shadow of death. You have
enlarged the nation; you have increased their joy. They rejoice before
you, as people rejoice at harvest time as they rejoice in dividing the
spoil. For the yoke of their burden, the bar across their shoulders,
the rod of their oppressors, you have broken it as on the day of
Midian. Every warrior's boot that tramped in war, every cloak rolled
in blood, will be thrown out for burning, will serve as fuel for the
fire. For a child is born to us, a son is given us; the royal ornament
is laid upon his shoulder, and his name is proclaimed: "Wonderful
Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." To the
increase of his powerful rule in peace, there will be no end. Vast
will be his dominion, he will reign on David's throne and over all his
kingdom, to establish and uphold it with justice and righteousness
from this time onward and forever. The zealous love of Yahweh Sabaoth
will do this.

EPHESIANS 1:3-6, 15-18
Blessed be God, the Father of Christ Jesus our Lord, who in Christ has
blessed us from heaven with every spiritual blessing. God chose us in
Christ before the creation of the world to be holy and without sin in
his presence. From eternity he destined us in love to be his adopted
sons and daughters through Christ Jesus, thus fulfilling his free and
generous will. This goal suited him: that his loving-kindness which he
granted us in his Beloved might finally receive all glory and praise.
I have been told of your faith and your affection towards all the
believers, so I always give thanks to God, remembering you in my
prayers. May the God of Christ Jesus our Lord, the Father of Glory,
reveal himself to you and give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation,
that you may know him. May he enlighten your inner vision, that you
may appreciate the things we hope for, since we were called by God.
May you know how great is the inheritance, the glory, God sets apart
for his saints.

MARK 10:13-16
People were bringing their little children to him to have him touch
them, and the disciples rebuked them for this. When Jesus noticed it,
he was very angry and said, "Let the children come to me and don't
stop them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly, I
say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child
will not enter it." Then he took the children in his arms and, laying
his hands on them, blessed them.

REFLECTION
Today's celebration is special for the Philippines and somewhat
unique. The devotion to the child Jesus as the Santo Niño (the Holy
Child) can be traced to the popularity of the veneration of the Child
Jesus in 15th century Europe. St. Teresa of Avila was a great promoter
of the devotion. Famous throughout the world is the image of the
Infant of Prague. In 1521 King Charles V of Spain gave an image of the
Child Jesus to Ferdinand Magellan, who in turn gave it to the wife of
the Datu of Cebu. When some years later fire destroyed much of that
city, the same image was found "miraculously" unscathed. Not
surprisingly, popular devotion to the Holy Child was born and spread
with the image of Jesus as boy and king the revered icon. Miracles
were attributed to God's power working through the image. What can
this devotion to the Sto. Niño say for us today, to us who are not
15th century devotees but women and men of our advanced technological
age?

This and other similar devotions may be reminders that our response to
the mystery of God's love and care for us can be expressed in a great
variety of ways. Different cultures and subcultures will have
different ways of affirming that we believe in the ineffable saving
love of our God. There will be valid differences between the
devotional practices of rural folk and those of their urban brothers
and sisters, between the academically learned and the simple
unlettered believers. National differences will manifest uniquely
national variations of expression of religious faith. In all, of
course, there may be need to avoid exaggerations that lead to
superstition, a danger that must be acknowledged. Nevertheless popular
religiosity properly developed is part of the richness of religious
life and should not be unfairly belittled.

But there is something else that this feast offers all of us, and we
are reminded of it in the Gospel. Its message is that the kingdom of
heaven belongs to those who can become like children. The adult Jesus
says to his disciples and to all of us: "I assure you that whoever
does not accept the reign of God like a little child shall not take
part in it." [Mark 10:15] Jesus the adult teacher also told his
disciples: "I assure you, unless you change and become like little
children you will not enter the kingdom of God." [Matthew18:3] Strong
words indeed, and easily misunderstood if taken too literally. But the
message is a healthy reminder that those with simplicity of heart and
soul are the greatest in the kingdom of God, and not those who hold
the most worldly power. The message is a reminder that whoever wants
to be among the "first" in God's kingdom will be those who are
considered in our world as the last (or the least). Following the
example of Christ himself who came not to be served but to serve, the
disciples of Jesus are those who seek not to be served but to serve
and live their lives for others.

A final note for this reflection on this feast of the Sto. Niño is
concerned with growth. Yes, the image of the Sto. Niño is the image of
a young child. But we know that while maintaining the simplicity of
the child who will enter the kingdom of God, the child Jesus had to
grow into manhood. Although the usual image of the Sto. Niño is one of
a child dressed in glorious robes, the child Jesus had to develop into
the garments of his adulthood. Constant growth and development will
also continually challenge us as we develop as women and men of living
faith. There is the challenge to keep ourselves updated in our
changing world. The Church herself is always in need of development.
We can see that as the work of the Holy Spirit moves all of us. How
many years ago the Church, driven by the Spirit at the Second Vatican
Council, developed into the Church we love today, so different in so
many ways from how it seemed to be centuries ago. The Sto. Niño is the
Child who grew and gave his life for all of us. We, too, as disciples
of that Holy Child continue to grow as his followers.

PRAYER REQUESTS
We pray …
… for a deep and profound respect for life, especially for the
unborn.
… for the speedy recovery and healing of
- Tung-Jou Sheh
- Cecilia Yu
- Bob, Toni, Vera
… for the personal intentions of
- Jane, Maureen, Nick, Delores, Brian, Michael G, Linda O, Mary Ann, &
Frank
- Rita & Pam, Dana, Eugene R
- Angeli Marmeto
- Josheil Dapo
… for the eternal repose of the soul of Fernando P. Hofileña, M.D.
Eternal rest grant unto them and may perpetual light shine upon them.
May they and all the dearly departed rest in peace.
… for all the prayer intentions in the MTQ Dailyprayer Diary.
- Birthday: Antonio S.J. Cabrera
- Birthday: Charlie Tan
- Birthday: James Eberlein
- Wedding Anniversary: Raymond & Charlene Blanche Yu Banzal
- In Memoriam (+): Imelda Reyes
… for families who are in need of healing
… for world peace and reconciliation.

Finally, we pray for one another, for those who have asked our prayers
and for those who need our prayers the most.

Have a good day!

**************************************************

These reflections are distributed free and are for personal use only.
Feel free to send the Daily Prayer reflections to your friends,
colleagues and relatives; however, if you do, please include the
following:

+================================================+
| The Daily Prayer, a service and an apostolate of the
| priests, laity and friends of Mary the Queen Parish
| http://www.marythequeen.org
| Distributed free and for personal use only.
+================================================+

--
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
GoogleGroup Address: http://groups.google.com/group/daily_homily
To subscribe from this free mailing service, send email to: dailyhomily@earthlink.net
To unsubscribe: daily_homily-unsubscribe@googlegroups.com

© 2012 Daily-Homily