Feast of the Sto. Niño

The gift of Sto. Niño to our land

Lk. 2, 41 - 52

We rejoice in this special day that we are celebrating the Feast of the Sto. Niño.  This is not just a feast about Cebu; rather, it is about the rest of the Philippines that the faith was first introduced to our shores.

In the second reading, St. Paul talks about blessing God the Father for electing or choosing the Ephesian Christian community before the world began.  Of course this refers to all followers of Christ and in a special way, we Filipinos are privileged that the faith was planted in our country and we are now reaping the fruits of a bountiful harvest.

There are three reasons why we are blessed by the Child Jesus.  First, we are made holy and blameless in His sight.  This is a gift and a challenge - to live as a people in holiness and influencing all other Filipinos to live a life of holiness.

Second, that the faith may find its way in the very fabric of our national life like the incarnation of Jesus.  All the Church teachings are bearing fruit in the renewal of every Filipino in all aspects of life - political, economic, social, cultural, and religious.

And third, that we may continue to grow in grace, in age, and in wisdom, till our knowledge of Jesus is complete.

This is the gift of the Sto. Niño in our country.  Viva Pit Señor!