Homily: Feast of the Santo Niño (Proper Feast in the Philippines)
Mark 10:13-16
21 January 2024
Fr. Ricky Cañet Montañez
Someone once said “Children are the means by which we take hold of heaven.” The usual interpretation is that we should be child-like to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. However, I think it also reminds us adults that we have responsibilities to children that ensure Heaven is within reach for all of us.
In today’s gospel, Jesus says that those who belong to the Kingdom of Heaven are akin to little children. He suggests to those listening that children can actually be a model for those who wish to be His followers. Jesus sees children to be in possession of qualities befitting those who want to be His disciples — those who spread His word and continue His redeeming work. Apart from the innocence of their character, it is their natural dependence and trust in their parents that Jesus particularly commends and sees to be very special in them. This quality is what we must have in relation to the Heavenly Father because we are His adopted children. Jesus invites the disciples to understand that “to belong to God’s Kingdom” is to be a child before God. We should look to them on how we are to be trusting, dependent and reliant upon God rather than solely on our own capabilities. As His disciples, we are invited to adopt the same humble stance. We are asked to have a simple and accepting demeanour toward God’s shaping and reshaping us for His Kingdom.
In today’s passage from Mark, Jesus saw that His disciples rebuked those who were bringing children for His blessing and He intervened, invited the children closer and blessed them. Jesus tells His disciples, “Let the children come to me; do not prevent them, for the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these.” (Mark 10:14) He gave them two precious things: His time and presence, which no money can buy. How many times have we been short tempered with children, thinking them to be “makulit” boisterous and quite the nuisance? How many times have we chosen to silence our inquisitive children by shoving a gadget in their hands or dropping them in the hands of a “yaya” (househelp) or their “lola” (grandma) instead of personally attending to their needs? Do we take the time to answer their questions, to compassionately correct their wrongdoing, or to comfort them when they need our assurance?
It is regrettable that these days, more and more children are robbed of their innocence and their ability to trust in adults. Perhaps, because these are hard times, parents need to devote more time to making a living, but it is still no excuse to neglect their children. Children who are left alone with gadgets unsupervised run the risk of visiting sites, watching videos or playing games that are not appropriate for young minds. The internet cannot make any distinction among its viewers and users. If kids learn to be indifferent to violence, injustice, intolerance, lust, indignities and stupid dangerous stunts, and unbridled hunger for fame, it is not possible to restore their innocence and reset their positivity. If kids are faced with the contradictions of what they ought to do and what they see on the internet, they may perceive adults to be a source of confusion rather than trustworthy and credible sources of learning and guidance.
As adults, it is our responsibility to look after the future of humanity. Parents have a huge responsibility to raise their children well and to protect them from all types of dangers — especially those that corrupt minds and morals. I think that this is the second essence of the quote I mentioned at the beginning. To raise children is to be given a chance to pass on the faith — to ensure that the Kingdom of Heaven continues to exist on earth, though not completely. To those married in the church, you made a promise before God to bring up your kids in the love and fear of God. This means you must be good Christian role models for them as well because children learn more from observing their parents rather than from angry lectures and scolding. Whitney Houston once sang… “I believe the children are our future. Teach them well and let them lead the way. Show them all the beauty they possess inside.”
The world will constantly tell us to pursue power, fame and wealth, but if we want to be truly great in God’s eyes, we must, be like little children. On this Feast of the Santo Niño, let us remember that if we wish to enter the Kingdom of Heaven, we should emulate the trust and confidence that children have in their parents. Also, of equal importance is recognising our role in protecting the childhood of little ones from what can destroy their positivity and innocence and ensuring that they are given strong foundations in faith. God is our Heavenly Father who loves and cares for us unconditionally. Let us fully entrust our lives into God’s loving hands! Kini atong gina-sam-PIT kay Señor Santo Niño!
Artwork by: Arnold Ramirez
Sunday Gospel Reflections 