Sunday, January 16, 2005
Feast of the Sto. Niño

1st Reading: Isaiah 9:1-7
A son is given to us

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.

The Lord has sent a word against Jacob: the sentence fell upon Israel.

2nd Reading: Ephesians 1:3-6,15-18
God has blessed us in Jesus

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.

Gospel: Matthew 18:1-5,10
Never despise any of these little ones

At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked him, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?"

Then Jesus called a little child, set the child in the midst of the disciples, and said, "I assure you that unless you change and become like little children, you cannot enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever becomes lowly like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven, and whoever receives such a child in my name receives me.

See that you do not despise any of these little ones, for I tell you: their angels in heaven continually see the face of my heavenly Father.

Commentary

WHOSE heart is not moved by the birth of a child? Who can experience the happy face of a child and not feel a surge of hope? Hundreds of years before Christ was born, the meaning of his coming was described: "a light has dawned on those who live in the land of the shadow of death…for a child is born to us." This feast of Sto. Niño is special to those whose hopes are awakened by children, who see in the child God who brings love, peace, and security. The birth of each child is a sign that God has not yet given up on the human race. Sto. Niño, teach us to trust as you did in God, your Father, our Father.

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