Gospel: Feast of Sto. Niño

Today is the Feast of Sto. Niño in the Philippines, and the Gospel reading will be lifted from the narrative according to St Mark (10:13-16).

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.

The Feast of Sto. Niño is one of the major religious celebrations in the Philippines. It is celebrated every Sunday after the Baptism of the Lord. The first image of the Sto. Niño was brought to the Philippines by Ferdinand Magellan, when his expedition reached the shores of Cebu. The original image is now enshrined in the Basilica Minore of Sto. Niño in Cebu City, and has been granted canonical coronation on February 27, 1964 by Pope Paul VI.

This year, the Philippines will celebrate the quincentenary of Christianity in the Philippines, which marks the anniversary of the first baptism and the gifting of the image of the Sto. Niño to Hara Amihan, the wife of Rajah Humabon. This joyous occasion has since then been regarded as the start of the Christian faith of the Filipinos that flourished ever deeply for the last 500 years.

The Gospel tells us an important message of looking at the meekness of a child not as a weakness or helplessness, but as a reflection of the Kingdom of God. God's kingship is not about strength, or brute force, but a reign of tenderness and unconditional love. Like a child, we are all called by God to hope for his goodness, trust in his mighty name, to provide for our needs just like a diligent Father, and to protect us from harm.

Amen.

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