By: FR. Jose “Joesum” Sumampong, Jr.
January 17, 2021
FEAST OF THE SANTO NINO (Year B)
(Proper Feast in the Philippines)
Is 9:1-6 / Ps 97:1. 2-3, 3-4, 5-6 /
Eph 1:3-6, 15-18 / Mk 10:13-16
HOW SMART THESE CHILDREN ARE IN THEIR INNOCENCE
Word: We must strive to get a good picture of the gospel. This section of Matthew’s gospel contains the fourth major discourse of Jesus which has grouped together the teaching concerning “community life”.
The twelve adults, serious and taking themselves very seriously, were gathered with Jesus and asked him question: “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” (Mt 18:1). We can put forward our imagination and see a little child, perhaps lost and disoriented, being pushed into the midst of those big men. Then Jesus, looking intensely into their eyes and in a voice so firm, exclaimed: “Become like him!”
Let each one of us, with our own disposition, reflect on Jesus’ directive: “…become like little children…” (Mt 18:2). We can immediately think of freshness, beauty, innocence, the trusting quality of the child, among others.
But Jesus thinks first and foremost of another characteristic of the child: “small” as opposed to “big”. The “smallness” of the child makes him dependent to others who are “big”. Unlike the small children, we, the adult, place so much trust in ourselves, in our cleverness or greatness. Small children cannot live on their own, they are not self-sufficient. They need to be loved. Just as children look to the adult for everything, we need to depend on God for everything. “Whoever makes himself lowly, becoming like this child, is of greatest importance in that heavenly reign” (Mt 18:4).
We are not only to be like little children. We are also to welcome them. Jesus said, “Whoever welcomes one such child for my sake welcomes me” (Mt 18:5). The doctrine concerning the Mystical Body which found its development in the Letters of St. Paul had its beginning in this simple sentence. Whatever we do to the least and the smallest, we do it to Christ.
In the same vein, whoever attacks or abuses a child, attacks or abuses Jesus! St. Paul discovered this truth on his way to Damascus: “I am Jesus whom you are persecuting” (Acts 22:8). Community life finds here its deepest foundation: the respect for every person, and particularly for the weakest.
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Order: Nowadays we hear so much about child abuse. There are at least three kinds of child abuse.
The first is harsh and severe punishment. It may come in two forms: one, beating up or inflicting physical pain which may result to bodily harm to the child; two, verbal abuse or cursing the child which may inflict deep-seated psychological damage to the child. The second is abuse by neglect or deprivation. The children are to be loved and cared, are to be provided of their physical needs, and are to be protected from harm. To neglect these duties may result in stunted growth, malnutrition, and injury. The third is sexual abuse. Very young children do not know if and when they are being mistreated or abused. Even if they know, most of the times they are very fearful that they do not complain.
Jesus’ words are challenging us: “Just so, it is no part of your heavenly Father’s plan that a single one of these little ones shall ever come to grief” (Mt 18:14).
The Church has officially declared: “As we in this Council have declared our evangelical love of preference for the poor, so it would appear to us now to declare a preferential apostolate for children and youth.” (Acts and Decrees of the Plenary Council of the Philippines II, 285)
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Realities: One dark night, in a remote district of Wales, a little baby boy lay dangerously ill. His widowed mother walked five miles to get a doctor. The doctor hesitated about making the ‘unpleasant trip.
“Is it worthwhile’?” he questioned himself. He knew certainly that he would receive no pay for his services. Besides, if the child’s life were saved, he would no doubt only become a poor laborer. But love of humanity and professional duty conquered, and the little life was saved.
Years later that helpless suffering babe’s name was known all over the world, a man to whom all Britain was indebted. Lloyd George. (Quote, CHILDREN’S POTENTIAL)
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Direction : O Lord Christ, you were pleased so to humble yourself in your incarnate Divinity and most sacred Humanity, as to be born in time and become a little child. Grant that we may acknowledge infinite wisdom in the silence of a child, power in weakness, and majesty in humiliation. Adoring your humiliations on earth, may we contemplate your glories in heaven, who with the Father and the Holy Spirit live and reign forever. (Prayer To The Infant Jesus, People’s Prayer Book, no. 789)