Nurturing Children’s Dreams to Unfold God’s Masterpieces

HOMILY: Feast of the Santo Niño

(Proper Feast in the Philippines)

Luke 2:41-52

16 January 2022 

Fr. Ricky Cañet Montañez, AA

There is this tweet about a Lumad child who was asked what her dream is… The little girl responded: “Makaihi na walang nakakakita.” (To be able to pee without worrying that someone might see.) Yun na ang pangarap niya sa buhay! Parang ang babaw ano? This is funny but really sad. She’s been in the evacuation centre for so long that her only dream is to have a little privacy when she relieves herself. And the tweet continues… “Now we ask why Filipinos don’t dream big? Many of us don’t have even the littlest of things.” 

Today, we celebrate the Feast of the Santo Niño, a feast proper to the Philippines. The gospel for this feast relates the Finding of the Child Jesus in the Temple — the 5th Joyful Mystery of the Rosary. In the story, Mary and Joseph unknowingly lost Jesus on their way home from spending the Passover feast in Jerusalem. His parents frantically searched for Him and found Him still in the temple discussing things of the law with the “teachers.”  In this Gospel Infancy Narrative, we note that even as a child, Jesus seemed to already know quite well what His purpose in life was. Look at how He responded to His anxious mother who reprimanded Him for worrying them with His sudden disappearance. “Son, why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been looking for you with great anxiety.” (Luke 2:48) To this the Child Jesus responded saying: “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” (Luke2:49) Early on in life, Jesus knew where He needed to be, what He needed to be busy about. Yet the Gospel ends by telling us that although Jesus seemed really sure of Himself, He still subjected Himself to the care and guidance of His parents. “He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them.” (Luke 2:51) Because of this, “Jesus advanced in wisdom and age and favour before God and man.” (Luke 2:52) 

Sadly, many of our children these days don’t bother to think about their purpose in life.  Recently, I read about this nine-year study conducted by Dream Project PH that revealed 8 out of 10 Filipinos do not have a dream! The study covered 614 Filipino teenagers in 54 provinces from different socio-economic classes across the country. The question asked them was, “Do you have a dream in life?” Is this a shock to you as it is to me? I mean, it doesn’t really matter if a kid does not attain his/her dream when he/she grows up, what’s important is that in his/her young mind he/she is able to see the immense possibility of his/her future and the promise of joy and fulfilment that comes with the fruits of hard work. When I was a child, I dreamed I would be a singer. I thought I would be doing musical theatre when I grew up. Well, we all know how that turned out because I am here delivering a homily. However, before I became a priest, I was a teacher to high school girls and the extent of my foray into musical theatre was having my students stage popular musicals as the culminating activity for the school year.  Sa ngayon sa misa at sa simbahan na lang ako nakakakanta. In a way, I still get to live my childhood dream. 

How sad that 80% of young Filipinos have stopped dreaming. The study identifies five possible reasons why they do not dream big anymore. The first reason given is the lack of conversations between children and adults in the family or in the school setting about their dreams. Most children these days are bereft of engaging conversations that would help them nurture their dreams. Most parents teach their kids to be practical in life. Another factor is the lack of role models. The study observed that “many in our generation have had mindsets shaped by the previous generation where this thinking prevails: “You study so that you can graduate, so that you can get a well-paying job.” This mindset limits one’s purpose to just having a well-paying job. Is this all there is to life? Na-hurt naman ako dun kasi sa pagpapari, walang mataas na sweldo. Para palang walang kakwenta-kwenta ang buhay kung di kumikita ng limpak-limpak na pera.  Many of our young people these days are not challenged nor encouraged to see that making a difference in society is the greater value. They have to be helped to see things in a much broader perspective.  The truth is, there is a lack of many lucrative opportunities for the youth but that should not deter them from pursuing something that will fulfil them, make them happy, and allow them to contribute to society. Finally, it is the lack of resources for many of these young people that keeps them from considering to dream big. If the basic needs are not met, having a dream beyond basic survival such as food for one’s stomach would be the least of a child’s priorities.     

In all honesty, it is our responsibility as adults in society to change this situation and help children believe in their purpose and dream again. You may have seen on social media the video of this 10-year-old child, Nicole DC Torres, from the Dumagat tribe, who dreams of being a doctor someday. When asked why she wants to be a doctor, she says: “Gusto ko kasi makapagtapos para makabawi ako kila nanay. Kung gaano nila ako minahal ganun ko din ibabalik ang pagmamahal ko sa kanila…. Pangarap ko maging doktor para makatulong sa may sakit.”  Through her teachers, Nicole is encouraged to make a difference in her community by becoming a doctor. I mentioned to you that I used to work in an an educational centre for the indigenous people in Bukidnon. We always reminded the students how fortunate they were to have the chance at an education. We also encouraged them to give back to their community someday. I am happy to say that many of them have returned and chose to serve their community after their studies. 

On this Feast of the Santo Niño, I ask you to be gracious to the children in your families, your homes and your communities. Kailangan nating maipahiwatig sa kanila na ang bawat tao ay espesyal sapagka’t tayo ay mga anak ng Diyos. Our second reading from Ephesians reminds us: “[God] has destined us for adoption to Himself through Jesus Christ.” (Ephesians 1:5) (Tayo ay itinalaga ng Diyos upang maging mga anak niya sa pamamagitan ni Hesukristo.) Within each child is a world of potential, a masterpiece of the Lord waiting to unfold. Let us resolve to do everything within our power to help children discover, nurture and reach their full potentials. May the Child Jesus help us ensure a future for them, in whom lies the hope of humanity.