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Today is the Feast of the Sto. Nino, the Child Jesus.
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A friend once had asked .... "why do you pray to the Sto. Nino?"
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Why not?!
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Allow me my thoughts, if you please......
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A child in its pure innocence is empty of guile (sly or cunning
intelligence), of machinations (a scheming or crafty action or artful
design intended to accomplish some usually evil end), or of selfish
motive - the kind we as adults so often engage in.
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A child
sees the world as it is......... people as they are....... and
understand things in its stark simplicity and reason. He can easily see through masks, pretense, cover, make-believe, false designs. Good is good, bad
is bad, and anything else in-between must have an explanation. (To this,
parents must guide them in their enlightenment.)
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The Child
Jesus looks up to his mother and father with absolute trust and faith.
He sees and knows how they live their lives in the home and outside
of it ----- he sees them both go through the cares and woes of their day to
day lives ----- he sees both their laughter and their tears, their
struggles and successes..... he watches them work with their hands in
the many tasks of the day unmindful of the heaviness of the task or of
the lateness of the hour ----- he is familiar with their hopes and
dreams for him- their family-and their home ----- he watches at the many
selfless sacrifices his parents do for his sake ----- he knows about a
mother's heart..... bout a father's heart. He basks in that constant
tender love, care, concern, and protection.
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So when he hears a
tiny earnest prayer offered in faith and trust to him in the same areas
of concern of human existence........ he nods his head and says -----
"I know. I understand." ---- And blessings follow way beyond measure.
Because he understands.
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I should know; I have been blessed by
the Holy Child far more than my weary heart can hold. He understands me
more than I understand myself in my misery, disappointment, failed
hopes and dreams. He helps me see life with fresh new eyes..... as from
the eyes of a child... trusting, believing, rejoicing .... once more
and happily.
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In the homily at mass today was read....
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Matthew 19:14 New International Version (NIV)
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14 Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder
them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”
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I am a child in the presence of my Lord. I am a child in the presence of the Sto. Nino.
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May you all be blessed by the understanding heart of the Sto. Nino... way, way beyond measure.
