Diocese of Antipolo Bishop Ruperto C. Santos related the Gospel this Sunday, Jan. 21, with the celebration of the feast of the revered Santo Nino.
“On the feast of the Santo Niño on Jan. 21, our Gospel is about meeting Jesus in the temple. Saint Luke writes ‘and on the third day, they found Him in the temple, sitting with the teachers and listening and asking them questions. To His Mother's question, Son why did you do this to us? Your father and I suffered while we were looking for you. Jesus responded Why are you looking for me? Don't you know that I should be in my Father's house?’ It is good to reflect from Jesus' answers that He likely wants to convey to us,” said Bishop Santos.
“What are these? First, we are always safe in God. Second, we must always come close to God. And third, we must remain in the house of God,” he said .
The Church leader highlighted the beauty of having a strong relationship with God.
“Jesus' answer to His Mother is a testimony that we are safe in God. We are safe in His house. We are safe and will be saved because and through God. Our salvation is the Lord God. Our Savior is Jesus, who came as the baby Santo. Let us obey God and we will be safe. Let's go to Him and call on Him. When we pray and trust in God, salvation and healing will come to us. We are safe in God’s presence. We are safe in God's house, “ the prelate said.
Bishop Santos likewise encouraged the faithful to lift up all their concerns to God.
“Jesus' parents travel every year to Jerusalem for the Passover. It was a custom of the people of Israel in recognition of God's power and in commemoration of what He did to save them from slavery in Egypt. Joseph and Mary, with the child Jesus traveled from Nazareth to Jerusalem. In our situation, during the harmful and dangerous Covid 19 pandemic, we turned to God and welcomed Him back in our lives. Let us come to God with all our needs and the things that burden our thoughts. Let us pray and approach Him boldly with all the desires of our hearts. In order for us to be strong against the trials and burdens of life, let us walk in the path of the Lord God. Let us follow His path. Let us make sure that the road we take will lead us to God. Let us come close to the Santo Niño. Let us walk in His footsteps,” the bishop said.
“Finally, the Gospel said ‘the Child Jesus was left in Jerusalem without His parents' knowledge. The Child Jesus was in the Temple. The Temple, which the people of Israel believe, is holy and dedicated to God. This, for them, is God's house. It is in the Temple that they encounter God. The young Jesus remained in the Temple to be with God and talk to Him. He also stayed to talk to the elders and teachers about God. That's why the young Jesus was there listening and asking them questions. And those who heard Him were amazed at His wisdom and answers.”
The Church leader urged the faithful to always remain in God’s presence.
“Let us remain under God’s will and follow His commandments. Let us always remain in God's presence. Let us stay and serve the Church, the house of God. Just as Joseph and Mary went to the Temple, we also go to Church together with our children. Just like the offering of Jesus in the Temple, let us encourage the youth to come and serve our parishes. Remain in God’s house, the Church,” the bishop stressed.
“Since the arrival of the Santo Niño and offered as a gift to Queen Juana, the Santo Niño never left the Philippines. The Santo Niño remained in our lives. From 1521 until being seen again in 1565, the Santo Niño has been with us. Let us be in the presence of the Santo Niño, in the company of God. This is the reason for our celebration of our five hundred years of Christianity. On this feast of the Santo Niño, the Lord Jesus gives us three truths that we must do: We are always safe in God. We should always come close to God. And we must remain in the house of God, our Church,” Bishop Santos said in his reflection.
The Catholic Church is set to celebrate the feast of the Holy Child, the Santo Nino on Sunday, Jan. 21. Traditionally observed every third Sunday of January in the country, festivities, street dancing, grand parades and processions as well as hourly masses will be celebrated in different parts of the country where devotees await the annual feast with great enthusiasm.