Posted by Word Alive–Fr. Bel San Luis, SVD
January 15, 2023 / Feast of the Sto. Niño Gap between Sto. Niño devotion & conduct
Image source: Wikimedia Commons
This Sunday the immensely popular feast of the Sto. Niño in the Philippines, is celebrated. Rich and poor, young and old alike maintain a strong, if not fanatical, devotion to the Holy Child. Colorful fiestas and processions are held in his honor.
* * *
In the gospel, Jesus teaches: “Amen I say to you, whoever does not accept the Kingdom of God like a child will not enter it” (Mark 13,15).
“Like little children,” what does that mean? What is it about a child that Jesus liked and valued so much? The emphasis is on being childlike, not childish; hence, Christ-like.
* * *
One endearing quality about the child is its innocence and simplicity. When I was in grade school, I used to play with all kinds of kids in the neighborhood. My parents would warn me not to mingle with “dirty” kids from the depressed areas. But as a child, I didn’t see any difference or mind it if they came from a poor or rich families.
* * *
Children are honest and straightforward. “Hindi plastic.” A mother was once entertaining a priest in their house.
She bragged how she instilled her children the love of reading the Bible. She called her five-year-old daughter. “Dear, would you get the book that we all love to read?”
* * *
The child ran to the parents’ bedroom and forthwith came bringing a book. “Here it is, Mama,” the young girl said.
When the mother saw it, she turned red with embarrassment. It was the catalogue of fashion wear! The child handed the book because she saw it innocently “as the book everybody loved.”
* * *
The other quality a child possesses is his spirit of dependence and trust. This is shown, for instance, when a toddler crossing the street puts its hand in the hand of the father and mother.
* * *
The absence of dependence is shown concretely when a man has no more time for God. Work and pursuit of money take his place, believing that he can do and get everything he wants with the power of his talent, wealth and intelligence.
* * *
Religious devotions like those of the Sto Niño and Black Nazarene are indeed, phenomenal. However, what bears examining is that such pious acts should have a deeper internal effect on daily life, that is, translated in the devotees’ deeds and moral conduct.
* * *
Concretely, if after the grand festivities, devotees go home and continue to be unkind, unjust, and unforgiving to their fellowmen or are engaged in corrupt practices and vices, their pious acts are defective, inconsistent and merely ritualistic.
Hence, the need to bridge the gap between pious devotions and day-to-day life and conduct.
* * *
Vatican II in the chapter “The Church Today” states: “Nor are they any less wide of the mark who think that religion consists in acts of worship alone.
“This split between faith and daily lives deserves to be counted among the more serious errors of our age.”
* * *
Let’s continue to cultivate a childlike piety in the Sto. Niño. Jesus himself said, “Unless you become like little children, you cannot enter the Kingdom of heaven.”
* * *
SPLIT CHRISTIANITY. A politician has a strong devotion to the Sto. Niño. After an election, he won through cheating and vote buying. He asked the parish priest to say a Thanksgiving Mass. Lesson: Having a devotion to the Sto. Niño is good but it doesn’t jibe with the politician’s cheating.
* * *
A wealthy matron owns many businesses. In her mansion are religious images and antique statues hanging around her sala. She goes to Mass every day and receives Holy Communion.
However, his numerous workers are grumbling since they’re not paid their just wages. Someone said sarcastically, “Ang boss natin dasal ng dasal, masama naman ang asal” (Our manager is always praying but her conduct is unjust).
One comment