Blessings in our Midst

January 21, 2024 – Feast of the Sto. Niño

Recently from my group chat, an invitation from a Catholic church in Belgium Europe posted. It says: “Adoration for families every 3-4 pm of 2nd Sunday of the month” for Children ages 0-99 years old. Yes, Family Adoration for Children ages 0-99 years old.  Somehow this invitation is a gentle & deep reminder that we were once, we are, & we will always be God’s children. And above all, we are with God’s children regardless of age, & very much welcome into & part of our Church.

Great joy a newly-born child presence could bring us. Rarely we find ourselves stooping down kneeling in awe & joy, except in prayer….. & before a baby. Yes, before the presence of a baby child, we cannot help but be happy & joyful for a promise of new life in front of us. Great for us also to see young-parents bringing their babies into our church to be part of our Eucharistic celebration. Much as the baby is a blessing to their young family, their baby is also a blessing to us, Church, because another God’s child being given us.

Same experience Mary & Joseph must have felt when they brought the child Jesus to the temple. Being parent to the baby Jesus must be a great joy & blessing to them, that moves them to offer the child as blessing to the temple. Same experience Simeon must have felt, when he saw the child Jesus being brought & offered to God in the temple. The presence of the child Jesus in the temple made Simeon see & be assured of the promise of coming salvation is on its way & about to happen into our lives, making him say: “Lord, now let your servant go in peace; your word has been fulfilled: my own eyes have seen the salvation which you prepared in the sight of every people, a light to reveal you to the nations and the glory of your people Israel.” Simply put: “Now I could rest at peace for salvation now has started as promised”, in, thru & because of this child.

Clearly in our gospel today Jesus placed great regards for children with us. He said: “Let the children come to me…. For the Kingdom of God belong to such little ones.” For Jesus then, same way as God’s blessings come as child Jesus (Sto. Nino), God’s offer of salvation will continue to come & happen to us, as a child…. In, through & because of our children – our ninos & ninas.

God’s blessings & graces are now still & always present upon us through the birth & witness of our Lord Jesus Christ. Like the presence of babies in our midst, especially children with us in the church during mass, we are to recognize, accept, honor & bless the promise & offer of better life before us in our today’s children who are worthy also of God’s salvation. Never should we waste such great promise of life to come through God’s blessings in our children. Great joy, promise, blessings are upon us since then, until now & will always be as we receive & bless Jesus as well as God’s babies & children in our midst & in our Church.

Surely this is the meaning behind of our Filipino’s devotion to our Sto. Nino – God & His graces is upon us & in our midst, and usually comes as Children, as God’s ninos & ninas. So, Beware there are God’s children & babies in our midst now.

Perhaps as we are starting this year, spent some quality time with babies & children. Listen to what they are saying (& not saying), be sensitive of their presence, & be childlike with them so that we may be in touch anew to the promise of life with us & in us.

We welcome God’s children, God’s grace in our midst that we may we have a grace-filled year ahead.

Sampit Senor. HaPit Senor. Pit Senor.

Amen.