First reading: Is. 9:1–6

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light. Upon those who lived in a land of gloom a light has shone. You have brought them abundant joy and great rejoicing. They rejoice before you as people rejoice at harvest, as they exult when dividing the spoils. For the yoke that burdened them, the pole on their shoulder, the rod of their taskmaster, you have smashed, as on the day of Midian. For every boot that tramped in battle, every cloak rolled in blood, will be burned as fuel for fire.

For a child is born to us, a son is given to us; upon his shoulder dominion rests. They name him Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero, Father-Forever, Prince of Peace. His dominion is vast and forever peaceful. Upon David’s throne, and over his kingdom, which he confirms and sustains By judgment and justice, both now and forever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this!

Second reading: Eph. 1:3–6,15–18

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavens, as he chose us in him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and without blemish before him. In love he destined us for adoption to himself through Jesus Christ, in accord with the favor of his will, for the praise of the glory of his grace that he granted us in the beloved.

Therefore, I, too, hearing of your faith in the Lord Jesus and of your love for all the holy ones, do not cease giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation resulting in knowledge of him.

May the eyes of [your] hearts be enlightened, that you may know what is the hope that belongs to his call, what are the riches of glory in his inheritance among the holy ones.

Gospel: Lk. 2:41–52

Each year his parents went to Jerusalem for the feast of Passover, and when he was twelve years old, they went up according to festival custom. After they had completed its days, as they were returning, the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it.

Thinking that he was in the caravan, they journeyed for a day and looked for him among their relatives and acquaintances, but not finding him, they returned to Jerusalem to look for him. After three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions, and all who heard him were astounded at his understanding and his answers.

When his parents saw him, they were astonished, and his mother said to him, “Son, why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been looking for you with great anxiety.” And he said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” But they did not understand what he said to them.

He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them; and his mother kept all these things in her heart. And Jesus advanced [in] wisdom and age and favor before God and man.

In other words

by Fr. Vic Uy, SVD (Holy Name University, Tagbilaran City, Bohol)

Today is the Feast of the Sto. Niño or Holy Childhood Day. As the word “feast” suggests, it is a day for Filipinos to express their devotion to the Child in a solemn and festive manner. Indeed, in many parts of the Philippines today, the feast will be commemorated with a solemn celebration of the Holy Eucharist in honor of the Sto. Niño (only in the Philippines), after which there will be street dancing or Sinulog, as we call it. On celebrating this feast, let us reflect on three points:

Firstly, why is the feast so popular among us? It is because children are so lovable. And they are so lovable because of their innocence, purity and humility. This is why we Filipinos who love children are easily attracted to the image of the Child Jesus or the Sto. Niño, a sort of “transference” and simply for what it represents.

Secondly, our devotion to the Child Jesus should remind us that, even as adults, we are called upon to be childlike and Christ-like, by living a life of innocence, purity and humility. Anything to the contrary necessitates cleansing and purification on our part.

And, finally, may we learn also to listen, as the Child Jesus did, to the people around him in the temple. But we do so not only to the rich and powerful as we are used to, but to all, including the marginalized sectors of society. The marginalized sectors may include the self-employed or those working in family workshops, jeepney drivers, fisherfolks, and farmers. Pope Francis calls it “going to the peripheries.” This is actually what the Synod on Synodality is all about, i.e., listening to the aspirations and expectations of the People of God for the Holy Spirit dwells in them and speaks through them.