Fighting evil like a child: A retrospect on the Second Sunday after the Epiphany

Greetings to those who have just celebrated the Feast of the Santo Niño in Cebu, in Bacolod, in Tondo, in Pandacan, in Ternate, Cavite, and in every place where the Holy Child is being adored! I hope you had a faith-filled observance of the feast!

We are somehow blest by the Holy See to celebrate the holy childhood of our Lord by giving us a Papal Indult to celebrate the feast every Third Sunday of January, in both Forms of the Holy Mass. We have a peculiar set of propers for the feast of the Santo Niño in the Ordinary Form, and we have also celebrated a Votive Mass of the Most Holy Name of Jesus in the Extraordinary (both featured below). I'll make this short and sweet since I have yet to do the reflections for this coming Sunday, as well as a special entry, which I hope I will make by tonight.

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READINGS AND PROPERS

Extraordinary Form  (Votive Mass of the Most Holy Name of Jesus)

INTROIT ¤ Philip 2. 10, 11

In nomine Jesu omne genu flectatur, coelestium, terrestrium, et infernorum: et omnis lingua confiteator, quia Dominus Jesus Christus in floria est Dei Patris. -- Domine Dominus noster: quam admirabile est nomen tuum in universa terra! V.: Gloria Patri . . . -- In nomine Jesu omne genu flectatur . . .

In the Name of Jesus let every knee bow, of those that are in heaven, on earth, and under the earth: and let every tongue confess that the Lord Jesus Christ is in the glory of God the Father. -- (Ps.8. 2). O Lord our Lord: how admirable is Thy Name in the whole earth! V.: Glory be to the Father . . . -- In the Name of Jesus . . .

   COLLECT.--O God, Who didst constitute Thine only-begotten Son the Savior of Mankind, and didst bid Him to be called Jesus: mercifully grant, that we who venerate His holy Name on earth, may fully enjoy also the vision of Him in heaven. Through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost: One God, world without end.

EPISTLE ¤ Acts 4. 8-12

Lesson from the Acts of the Apostles.

[This Name means Savior, "for there is no other name given to men whereby we must be saved."]

   In those days, Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said to them: Ye princes of the people and ancients, hear: if we this day are examined concerning the good deed done to the infirm man by what means he hath been made whole, be it known to you all, and to all the people of Israel: that by the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom your crucified, whom God hath raised from the dead, even by Him this man standeth here before you whole. This is the stone which was rejected by you the builders, which is become the head of the corner: neither is there salvation in any other. For there is no other name under heaven given to men, whereby we must be saved.

GRADUAL ¤ Ps. 105. 47

Salvos fac nos, Domine, Deus noster, et congrega nos de nationibus: ut confiteamur nomini sancto tuo, et gloriemur in gloria tua. V.: Tu, Domine, Pater noster, et Redemptor noster: a saeculo nomen tuum.    Alleluia, alleluia. V.: Laudem Domini loquetur os meum et benedicat omnis caro nomen sanctum ejus. Alleluia.

Save us, O Lord our God, and gather us from among the nations: that we may give thanks to Thy holy Name, and may glory in Thy praise. V.: (Isa. 63. 16) Thou, O Lord, our Father and our Redeemer: from everlasting is Thy Name.    Alleluia, alleluia. V.: (Ps. 144. 21) My mouth shall speak the praise of the Lord, and let all flesh bless His holy Name. Alleluia

GOSPEL ¤ Luke 2. 21.

† Continuation of the holy Gospel according to St. Luke.

[Circumcision of Our Lord Jesus Christ.]

   At that time, after eight days were accomplished that the Child should be circumcised: His Name was called Jesus, which was called by the Angel before He was conceived in the womb.

OFFERTORY ¤ Ps. 85. 12, 5

Confitebor tibi, Domine Deus meus, in toto corde meo, et glorificabo nomen tuum in aeternum: quoniam tu, Domine, suavis et mitis es: et multae misericordiae omnibus invocantibus te, alleluia.

I will praise Thee, O Lord my God, with my whole heart, and I will glorify Thy Name for ever: for Thou, O Lord, art sweet and mild: and plenteous in mercy to all that call upon Thee, alleluia.

   SECRET.--May Thy blessing, O most merciful God, by which every creature lives, sanctify, we beseech Thee, this our Sacrifice, which we offer unto Thee to the glory of the Name of Thy Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, that it may be well-pleasing to Thy Majesty for Thy praise, and profit us unto salvation. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost: One god, world without end.

PREFACE

Preface of the Nativity

Vere dignum et justum est, aequum et salutare, nos tibi semper, et ubique gratias agere: Domine sancte, Pater omnipotens, aeterne Deus: Quia per incarnati Verbi mysterium nova mentis nostrae oculis lux tuae claritatis infulsit: ut, dum visibiliter Deum cognoscimus, per hunc in invisibilum amorem rapiamur. Et ideo cum Angelis et Archangelis, cum Thronis et Dominationibus, cumque omni militai coelestis exercitus, hymnum gloriae tuae canimus sine fine dicentes:

It is truly meet and just, right and for our salvation, that we should at all times, and in all places, give thanks unto Thee, O holy Lord, Father almighty, everlasting God, for through the Mystery of the Word made flesh, the new light of Thy glory hath shone upon the eyes of our mind, so that while we acknowledge God in visible form, we may through Him be drawn to the love of things invisible. And therefore with Angels and Archangels, with Throne and Dominations, and with all the hosts of the heavenly army, we sing the hymn of Thy glory, evermore saying:

COMMUNION ¤ Ps. 85. 9, 10

Omnes gentes quascumque fecisti, venient, et adorabunt coram te, Domine, et glorificabunt nomen tuum: quoniam magnus es tu, et faciens mirabilia: tu es Deus solus. Alleluia.

All the nations Thou hast made shall come and adore before Thee, O Lord, and they shall glorify Thy Name: for Thou art great, and dost wonderful things: Thou art God alone.

   POSTCOMMUNION.--O almighty and everlasting God, who didst create and redeem us, look graciously upon our prayer, and with a favorable and benign countenance deign to accept the Sacrifice of the saving Victim which we have offered to Thy Majesty in honor of the Name of Thy Son, our Lord Jesus Christ: that through the infusion of Thy grace we may rejoice that our names are written in heaven, under the glorious Name of Jesus, the pledge of eternal predestination. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost: One God, world without end.

Ordinary Form (Indulted Feast of the Holy Child in the Philippines)

Prophecy: Is. 9:2-7

The people that walked in darkness, have seen a great light: to them that dwelt in the region of the shadow of death, light is risen. Thou hast multiplied the nation, and hast not increased the joy. They shall rejoice before thee, as they that rejoice in the harvest, as conquerors rejoice after taking a prey, when they divide the spoils. For the yoke of their burden, and the rod of their shoulder, and the sceptre of their oppressor thou hast overcome, as in the day of Madian. For every violent taking of spoils, with tumult, and garment mingled with blood, shall be burnt, and be fuel for the fire. For a CHILD IS BORN to us, and a son is given to us, and the government is upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, God the Mighty, the Father of the world to come, the Prince of Peace. His empire shall be multiplied, and there shall be no end of peace: he shall sit upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom; to establish it and strengthen it with judgment and with justice, from henceforth and for ever: the zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.

Responsorial: Ps. 97: 1, 2-3, 3-4, 5-6

R: All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God

Sing ye to the Lord a new canticle:

because he hath done wonderful things.

His right hand hath wrought for him salvation,

and his arm is holy.

The Lord hath made known his salvation:

he hath revealed his justice in the sight of the Gentiles.

He hath remembered his mercy and his truth

toward the house of Israel.

All the ends of the earth have seen

the salvation of our God.

Sing joyfully to God, all the earth;

make melody, rejoice and sing.

Sing praise to the Lord on the harp,

on the harp, and with the voice of a psalm:

With long trumpets, and sound of cornet.

Make a joyful noise before the Lord our king.

Epistle: Eph. 1: 3-6, 15-18 (3-18)

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with spiritual blessings in heavenly places, in Christ: As he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and unspotted in his sight in charity. Who hath predestinated us unto the adoption of children through Jesus Christ unto himself: according to the purpose of his will: Unto the praise of the glory of his grace, in which he hath graced us, in his beloved son.

(In whom we have redemption through his blood, the remission of sins, according to the riches of his, grace, Which hath superabounded in us, in all wisdom and prudence, That he might make known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure, which he hath purposed in him, In the dispensation of the fulness of times, to re-establish all things in Christ, that are in heaven and on earth, in him. In whom we also are called by lot, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things according to the counsel of his will. That we may be unto the praise of his glory: we who before hoped in Christ: In whom you also, after you had heard the word of truth (the gospel of your salvation), in whom also believing, you were signed with the holy Spirit of promise. Who is the pledge of our inheritance, unto the redemption of acquisition, unto the praise of his glory.)

Wherefore, I also, hearing of your faith that is in the Lord Jesus and of your love towards all the saints, Cease not to give thanks for you, making commemoration of you in my prayers, That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and of revelation, in the knowledge of him: The eyes of your heart enlightened that you may know what the hope is of his calling and what are the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints.

Gospel: Mt. 18:1-5, 10 (1-10)

At that time: the disciples came to Jesus, saying: Who, thinkest thou, is the greater in the kingdom of heaven? And Jesus, calling unto him a little child, set him in the midst of them. And said: amen I say to you, unless you be converted, and become as little children, you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, he is the greater in the kingdom of heaven.

(And he that shall receive one such little child in my name, receiveth me. But he that shall scandalize one of these little ones that believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone should be hanged about his neck, and that he should be drowned in the depth of the sea. Woe to the world because of scandals. For it must needs be that scandals come: but nevertheless woe to that man by whom the scandal cometh. And if thy hand, or thy foot, scandalize thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee. It is better for thee to go into life maimed or lame, than having two hands or two feet, to be cast into everlasting fire. And if thy eye scandalize thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee. It is better for thee having one eye to enter into life, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire.)

See that you despise not one of these little ones: for I say to you, that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father who is in heaven.

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RETROSPECT

There are two things that distinguish us Filipinos from the rest of the world, as far as I am concerned: Our use of "po" to people of authority and our fondness to children that even the Church highly commends so. But before we go to that, I would say that this week has been a turbulent one when it comes to our fight to preserve the Judeo-Christian influence of our public morals, or what seems to be left of it.

The Monday after the Feast of the Holy Child and the memorial of His Most Holy Name, the "National Day of Prayer" was organized by the Philippine government as thanksgiving to the year that was and as a plea to preserve our nation from further tempests and wars.

I have two comments on this: Why? and why only now?

I seem to be more than aghast (maybe even ragingly furious) that the government had the nerve to call such an event. They seem to be forgetting that they have no right to do this since they have infringed more than once the Constitutional principle of the "separation of Church and State" by consenting the passage of the Reproductive Health Law, even if the Supreme Court has given it a temporary restraining order. Not to mention that its passage was through the direct or indirect involvement of the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF)--more known as the Pork Barrel--which the same High Tribunal mandated as unconstitutional.

Now, let's take the above concept out and ask the question "Why only now?"

We understand that they have been working hard (or so they think...) in the recovery, rehabilitation, and restoration of the lives devastated by the crises and calamities that struck our brethren in Central and Southern Philippines. But it is NEVER an excuse to have this call to prayer only now just because a lot of things happened. They should have at least done this during Christmas, or better yet, let the NGOs and religious groups do this independently.

After the National Day of Prayer, the next four days were even worse.

The Philippines was host to the 7th Asia-Pacific Conference on Reproductive and Sexual Rights. I think you would agree with me if I say that this is a direct insult to our Lord, especially that the Feast of the Holy Child was celebrated the Sunday before. It was Pro-Life Philippines who stood against these wretched men and women, and I commend them for keeping vigil for the past few days at the PICC. However, there might only be a handful of priests who led them to prayer--maybe there were none--and this is my disappointment. I fear that if this continues, the laity would be given full credit, and our priests and bishops would be misconceptualized again.

But, let us also focus on what was read and preached to us last Sunday:

Jesus, the Child of Nazareth, has told the Apostles in the Gospel of the Ordinary Form that whoever possesses the spiritual qualities of a child shall be the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven. And it is He who became the greatest example of such. After all, the Holy Name of Jesus can be synonymous to holiness, obedience, and childlikeness.

And there is a passage in that same Gospel which was not used in the Liturgy of the Word: a warning to those who would harm the children of God.

"He that shall receive one such little child in My name, receiveth Me. But he that shall scandalize one of these little ones that believe in Me, it were better for him that a millstone should be hanged about his neck, and that he should be drowned in the depth of the sea. Woe to the world because of scandals. For it must needs be that scandals come: but nevertheless woe to that man by whom the scandal cometh"  (Mt. 18:5-7).

Now you know what would happen to those who scandalize the Church by any means. And what's worse: it can be you or me. So prayers, a regular reception of the Sacrament of Penance, and a worthy disposition when receiving the Lord who became a little Child at Holy Communion is recommended.

So the bottom line of this retrospect is that if we would like to imitate our Lord, we should be like children by being obedient to His will and to the magisterium of His Church; and by fighting His cause--the salvation of souls--in a childlike manner.

Now let us ask ourselves: Are we committed to become childlike in very small ways just like our Lord who subjected Himself to Mary and Joseph while a Child in Nazareth?

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PRAYING THE COLLECT  

(Note: this is the Collect of the Votive Mass of the Most Holy Name)

O God, Who didst constitute Thine only-begotten Son the Savior of Mankind, and didst bid Him to be called Jesus: mercifully grant, that we who venerate His holy Name on earth, may fully enjoy also the vision of Him in heaven. Through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost: One God, world without end. Amen.

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POSTSCRIPT

And since we are in the fight for the culture of life in our nation and we are fond of dressing our personal images of the Holy Child, I would like to take this opportunity to tell you that I am envisioning the devotion to our Lord and our Lady in my picturesque imagination as conquerors.

Jesus, depicted as a teenager in princely robes, is wielding a sabre on His right hand and holding the reins of His white horse on His left. He is being flanked by St. Peter on His right, wearing papal robes, and a winged St. Michael on His left, wielding a fiery sword on his right hand and holding a battle standard on his left. Behind the three are hundreds of millions of men, horses, and angels marching and galloping in order. At the center of the formation, I depict Mary as a queen riding a three-horsed chariot with St. Joseph as her consort and a winged St. Gabriel as her charioteer. Her arms are stretched open, and pointing to her Son, seemingly commanding the troops to follow His lead as she did. If ever I would have a title for the Blessed Virgin in this depiction, I will call her "Nuestra Señora del Ejercito Celestial" or "Our Lady of the Heavenly Hosts", since her Son is the Lord of Hosts.

I just hope someone would tell me "Sige. Push mo 'yan!"