All major celebrations come with a theme or slogan or logo. The feast of the Señor Sto. Niño de Cebu is no exception.
This year's theme is Señor Sto. Niño, Refuge of the Filipino Christian family.
In one of the novena masses, with Fr. Mike Hisoler as celebrant, he stressed the fact that "God did not send his son Jesus Christ to save mankind, like a zooming meteor (or in a high-tech spaceship!). Jesus Christ came into this world through a family, born of the Virgin Mama Mary with a foster father St. Joseph."
God did not do this on a whim or on an idea that was just right for the moment. He planned this, so that generations after, we will value the family that is composed of a father, mother and children. God did this so that generations after, we are not even supposed to be talking about artificial birth controls and divorces. Everything He gave our families are His blessings; all we have to do is stretch out our hands and receive them.
Fr. Hisoler also pointed out that "many religions reject or ridicule Mama Mary's role as a mother", yet without her, Jesus would not be born into this world. Jeus went through human stages, from baby to little boy to teenager to adult. It is in the little boy form that we venerate and love the Señor Sto. Niño.
Little boys never fails to put a smile on our faces, whether we know them or not. We are very patient and indulgent with them. They remind us, without fail, the value of unquestioning trust, simple pleasures, and unconditional love. Little boys warm the heart and bring joy into a family or a community. This is what I, as a devotee, feel towards the Sto. Niño. When I am at the Basilica del Sto. Niño, peace overwhelms me, despite the thick crowd there; a joy, like no other, envelops me; inspiration revitalizes and allows me to see things in a different way. A devotee can surely relate with how I feel.
I pray that mankind be drawn to the Sto. Niño...Pit Señor!
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