Sunday Reading Reflections:

Sunday, January 17, 2010
Feasts of the Child Jesus (Sto. Niño)


Theme: WE LOVE JESUS IN THE CHILDREN AND YOUTH OF TODAY

Today we celebrate the feast of the Sto. Niño, the yearly celebration that is
so dear to the hearts of all Filipino Catholics. This observance brings us back
to the beginning of the Christianization of our land but also enables us to see the relevance
of this devotion to our lives today.

In a special manner, it forces us to focus on our children and youth, with all the problems they pose and the hopes they raise. Today, and especially the Eucharistic celebration we are about to start, are renewed opportunities for us to entrust our “niños” to the protection and guidance of the Holy Child.

He, who is so much a part of our history and our lives, will surely take care of our children and will teach us how to do likewise.


Reading 1 Reflection :

Now that the Christmas season is over, we might think that we can go back to our "ordinary lives" during Ordinary Time. But Ordinary Time is never "ordinary" in that sense! Ordinary Time in the liturgical year is the time when the Sundays are numbered "in order." This season of Ordinary Time will last about six weeks. Ash Wednesday will follow the Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time. During Ordinary Time, we celebrate the whole life of Christ, not just one aspect of it. So Ordinary Time is a time of celebration after all! It is a good time to remind ourselves that every Sunday celebrates Easter, the resurrection of Christ.

Every day of Ordinary Time invites us to know Christ better and to live his teachings in a deeper way. And there is nothing "ordinary" about that!In the Old Testament, God's covenant with the people is sometimes compared to a marriage covenant between a husband and wife. In today's first reading, the prophet uses this imagery. With great enthusiasm, he celebrates a great event. The Lord has not only delivered the people from their enemies but has "married" them and made them his own. Their faithfulness has been rewarded. Now they can say to their enemies, "See, we told you! Our God has saved us."

Reading 2 Reflection:

Today's second reading reminds us that the Christian community is filled with gifts of the Spirit. These gifts enable some of us to be teachers or counselors, prophets or preachers, healers or leaders. But they all come from the same Spirit and are intended to build up the faith community. We should never be jealous of someone else's gift because all the gifts truly belong to all of us as the Body of Christ. Do you ever rejoice in the gifts of others?


Gospel Reflection:

The Old Testament reading today celebrates the "marriage" of Israel with the Lord. In the gospel reading, Jesus and his friends are taking part in a wedding celebration at Cana. Everyone is having a grand old time until the wine runs out. Then Jesus, in what is described as the first of his signs (miracles), turns six jars of water into choice wine! Everyone is astonished. But turning the water used for Jewish rituals into wine, Jesus gives God's people a sign that the Messiah has come. Later the disciples would recognize Jesus as the Bridegroom of the Church, the new people of God.