OUR FATHER WILL HANDLE IT

Feast of Sto. Niño

 

OUR FATHER WILL HANDLE IT

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in heaven. – Ephesians 1:3

When my son was four years old, I brought him along to watch a professional basketball game. It was a good opportunity for us to have a father-son bonding time.

The section where we sat was not too packed. This allowed Jac to roam around and try every available seat. When the game became intense, I focused more on it than what my son was doing.

Right after the game, a vendor approached me. “Sir, you owe me for a hotdog, juice and a couple of candies. Your son told me to approach you because his dad will handle everything,” he said. I looked for Jac and saw him happily munching on the hotdog while holding the juice with his other hand. I smiled and paid the vendor.

Our union with Christ entitles us to all the spiritual blessings we need. Through Christ, we can approach our Heavenly Father and ask Him any favor or request. Never hesitate to pray to our heavenly Father.Alvin Fabella (alvinfabella@yahoo.com)

REFLECTION:

When temptation comes, declare, “My Father will help me overcome this!” When faced with danger, claim, “My Father will protect me!” When you are sick, say, “My Father

is the best doctor!”

My Father, I present my needs before You and ask for them in Jesus’ name. Amen.

CELEBRATING THE CHRIST CHILD WITHIN

There is a world of difference between being childlike and being childish. In the spiritual life, the first is a virtue of the highest degree. In any situation, the latter is a problem. Being childish as an adult is always a sign of an unwillingness or incapacity, for one reason or another, to take on responsibility in a mature and healthy way.

It is essential for the spiritual wellbeing of anyone that they be willing and able to take on responsibility for their life and actions. Without this, there is no such thing as discipleship! Without embracing the call to discipleship, there is no salvation for the individual and the Church will cease to exist. Today’s Feast of the Sto. Niño is a reminder to us of the need to be childlike in our faith, but never to be childish.

Christ always maintained a childlike attitude in His relationship with His Father as we see expressed in His desire for and willingness to set aside time for prayer. It is also present in His attitude in life. He knows He has been sent to do His Father’s will, and that is precisely what He is going to do. There is nothing that will distract Jesus from the task at hand, namely, obedience to the will of His Father that the Good News of salvation be proclaimed to the people. Even though Jesus realizes that this mission will bring a premature end to His life on earth, this does not cause Him to waver in His intention to fulfill His Father’s wishes.

As we reflect on this attitude of Jesus, let us pray that we can imitate it more and more in our own lives. Let us pray that we can set aside the world’s and others’ agenda for our lives and embrace the will of God as the perfect plan and the only way for us to salvation. Jesus has demonstrated that being committed to the will of His Father involves paying at times a costly price but it is worth it. I cannot think of any more satisfying words to say to the Father at the end of my life than, “It is accomplished.” Fr. Steve Tynan, MGL

Reflection Question:

Do I tend toward childishness or childlikeness? If the former, what am I going to do about this problem? If the latter, how can I go still deeper in my faith?

Father, Your will is the only way to true perfection and happiness. Help me to know this truth and to live it every day of my life.

Blessed Gonzalo de Amarante, pray for us.