Dear brothers and sisters, Sto. Nino should teach us to be humble. Fr. Cielo

1. Welcome to our Bible
Study
19 January 2014
2nd Sunday A
Feast of the Sto. Niño
In preparation for this Sunday’s Liturgy
In aid of focusing our homilies and sharing
Prepared by Fr. Cielo R. Almazan, OFM

2. 1st reading: Isaiah 9,1-6
 1 The people who walked in darkness have seen a great
light; upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom a light
has shone. 2 You have brought them abundant joy and
great rejoicing, as they rejoice before you as at the
harvest, as men make merry when dividing spoils. 3 For
the yoke that burdened them, the pole on their shoulder,
and the rod of their taskmaster you have smashed, as on
the day of Midian. 4 For every boot that tramped in
battle, every cloak rolled in blood, will be burned as fuel
for flames. 5 For a child is born to us, a son is given us;
upon his shoulder dominion rests. They name him
Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero, Father-Forever, Prince of
Peace. 6 His dominion is vast and forever peaceful,
from David's throne, and over his kingdom, which he
confirms and sustains by judgment and justice, both now
and forever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this!

3. 1st reading: Isaiah 9,1-6
 1 The people who walked in darkness have seen a great
light; upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom a light
has shone. 2 You have brought them abundant joy and
great rejoicing, as they rejoice before you as at the
harvest, as men make merry when dividing spoils. 3 For
the yoke that burdened them, the pole on their shoulder,
and the rod of their taskmaster you have smashed, as on
the day of Midian. 4 For every boot that tramped in
battle, every cloak rolled in blood, will be burned as fuel
for flames. 5 For a child is born to us, a son is given us;
upon his shoulder dominion rests. They name him
Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero, Father-Forever, Prince of
Peace. 6 His dominion is vast and forever peaceful,
from David's throne, and over his kingdom, which he
confirms and sustains by judgment and justice, both now
and forever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this!
The focus is on the child who is born.

4. 1st reading: Isaiah 9,1-6
A simple outline!
God’s powerful deeds
 1 The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; upon
those who dwelt in the land of gloom a light has shone. 2 You have
brought them abundant joy and great rejoicing, as they rejoice
before you as at the harvest, as men make merry when dividing
spoils. 3 For the yoke that burdened them, the pole on their
shoulder, and the rod of their taskmaster you have smashed, as on
the day of Midian. 4 For every boot that tramped in battle, every
cloak rolled in blood, will be burned as fuel for flames.
The description of the child
 5 For a child is born to us, a son is given us; upon his shoulder
dominion rests. They name him Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero,
Father-Forever, Prince of Peace. 6 His dominion is vast and forever
peaceful, from David's throne, and over his kingdom, which he
confirms and sustains by judgment and justice, both now and
forever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this!

5. 1st reading: Isaiah 9,1-6
God’s powerful deeds
 1 The people who walked
in darkness have seen a
great light; upon those
who dwelt in the land of
gloom a light has shone.
2 You have brought them
abundant joy and great
rejoicing, as they rejoice
before you as at the
harvest, as men make
merry when dividing
spoils. 3 For the yoke
that burdened them, the
pole on their shoulder,
and the rod of their
taskmaster you have
smashed, as on the day
of Midian. 4 For every
boot that tramped in
battle, every cloak rolled
in blood, will be burned
as fuel for flames.
Commentary
In v.1, the fate of the suffering people is
reversed. It is reported in parallel form.
 Once walked in darkness, now in great
light // dwelt in gloom, now light.
 Once sad, now live in abundant joy
and great rejoicing. (not just simple joy
and rejoicing. It is qualified / quantified). V.2
 The imagery is enhanced by the two
similes:
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as they rejoice at harvest,
as men make merry when dividing
spoils.
 Once burdened with yoke, now the
smashing of that yoke and: v.3
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The pole on their shoulder
Rod of their taskmaster
 V.4 speaks of the abolition of war. In
passive form, those war materials will
be burned as fuel. They will be
destroyed and be used for better
purposes.

6. 1st reading: Isaiah 9,1-6
The description of the
child
 5 For a child is born to
us, a son is given us;
upon his shoulder
dominion rests. They
name him WonderCounselor, God-Hero,
Father-Forever,
Prince of Peace. 6
His dominion is vast
and forever peaceful,
from David's throne,
and over his kingdom,
which he confirms
and sustains by
judgment and justice,
both now and forever.
The zeal of the LORD
of hosts will do this!
 V.5 gives the reason for the great
changes that will occur in the life of
God’s people.
 A child is born to us // a son is given
us.
 His responsibility is great (dominion).
 V.5 also enumerates his titles:
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Wonder-counselor (good listener)
God-hero (defender, victorious liberator)
Father-forever (strange image, but
applicable to the son)
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Prince of Peace (peacemaker)
 V.6 describes his dominion, first
mentioned in v.5: vast and peaceful
 It is maintained by judgment and justice.
(punishment and reward)

7. Reflections on the 1st reading
 For the Catholic interpreter, the child in the book of Isaiah
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must refer to the Sto. Niño.
The reading signals that this child is not an ordinary child.
He is destined to establish a kingdom of justice and
peace.
He has the qualities of a good leader.
Both his heart (counselor) and mind (giving justice) are
working.
In his reign, all will be well.
Everyone will live in the light, in unbounded happiness
and joy.
Therefore, if we want to benefit from him, we must subject
ourselves to his wisdom and to his rule.

8. Resp.Ps 40:2, 4, 7-8, 8-9, 10
 R. (8a and 9a) Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will.
 2 I have waited, waited for the LORD,
and he stooped toward me and heard my cry.
4 And he put a new song into my mouth,
a hymn to our God.
 7 Sacrifice or offering you wished not,
but ears open to obedience you gave me.
8 Holocausts or sin-offerings you sought not;
then said I, “Behold I come.”
 8 “In the written scroll it is prescribed for me,
9 to do your will, O my God, is my delight,
and your law is within my heart!”
 10 I announced your justice in the vast assembly;
I did not restrain my lips, as you, O LORD, know.

9. Resp.Ps 40:2, 4, 7-8, 8-9, 10

R. (8a and 9a) Here am I, Lord; I come to
do your will.

2 I have waited, waited for the LORD,
and he stooped toward me and heard my
cry.
4 And he put a new song into my mouth,
a hymn to our God.

7 Sacrifice or offering you wished not,
but ears open to obedience you gave me.
8 Holocausts or sin-offerings you sought
not; then said I, “Behold I come.”

8 “In the written scroll it is prescribed for
me,
9 to do your will, O my God, is my delight,
and your law is within my heart!”

10 I announced your justice in the vast
assembly;
I did not restrain my lips, as you, O LORD,
know.
Commentary
 V.2 celebrates God’s mercy for
the psalmist, who was in dire
need of God.
 Vv.2b and 4 acknowledge God’s
response to the psalmist’s prayer.
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God listened
God gave him a new song, hymn
v.4
 Vv.7-8 indicate God’s preference
to listening ears and obedience to
God’s word over sacrifices,
holocausts and sin-offerings
(those rituals).
 Vv.8-9 pick up the idea of Psalm
1.
 In v.10, the psalmist reports to
God that he has given witness to
His words.

10. Reflections on the Psalm
 The psalmist reads the mind of God.
 God prefers the keepers of his Word than the
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elaborate rituals developed by humans.
We, Christians, must appreciate the same.
We must be, first of all, listeners to the Word of God.
We must give priority to studying the Word of God.
The Word of God will help us how to live our faith
truly (practice of justice and charity), and to worship God
properly.

11. 2nd reading: Ephesians 1,3-6.15-18
 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in
the heavens, 4 as he chose us in him, before the
foundation of the world, to be holy and without blemish
before him. In love 5 he destined us for adoption to himself
through Jesus Christ, in accord with the favor of his will, 6
for the praise of the glory of his grace that he granted us in
the beloved. 15 Therefore, I, too, hearing of your faith in the
Lord Jesus and of your love for all the holy ones, 16 do not
cease giving thanks for you, remembering you in my
prayers, 17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the
Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and
revelation resulting in knowledge of him. 18 May the eyes
of (your) hearts be enlightened, that you may know what is
the hope that belongs to his call, what are the riches of
glory in his inheritance among the holy ones.

12. 2nd reading: Ephesians 1,3-6.15-18
 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in
the heavens, 4 as he chose us in him, before the
foundation of the world, to be holy and without blemish
before him. In love 5 he destined us for adoption to himself
through Jesus Christ, in accord with the favor of his will, 6
for the praise of the glory of his grace that he granted us in
the beloved. 15 Therefore, I, too, hearing of your faith in the
Lord Jesus and of your love for all the holy ones, 16 do not
cease giving thanks for you, remembering you in my
prayers, 17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the
Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and
revelation resulting in knowledge of him. 18 May the eyes
of (your) hearts be enlightened, that you may know what is
the hope that belongs to his call, what are the riches of
glory in his inheritance among the holy ones.
The focus is on Jesus Christ.

13. A simple outline!
2nd reading: Ephesians 1,3-6.15-18
Blessing to God and Father
 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has
blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavens, 4 as
he chose us in him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and
without blemish before him. In love 5 he destined us for adoption to
himself through Jesus Christ, in accord with the favor of his will, 6 for
the praise of the glory of his grace that he granted us in the beloved.
Faith of the Ephesians
 15 Therefore, I, too, hearing of your faith in the Lord Jesus and of your
love for all the holy ones, 16 do not cease giving thanks for you,
remembering you in my prayers, 17 that the God of our Lord Jesus
Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and
revelation resulting in knowledge of him.
Wish of Paul
 18 May the eyes of (your) hearts be enlightened, that you may know
what is the hope that belongs to his call, what are the riches of glory in
his inheritance among the holy ones.

14. 2nd reading: Ephesians 1,3-6.15-18
Blessing to God and Father
 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our
Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in
Christ with every spiritual blessing in the
heavens, 4 as he chose us in him, before
the foundation of the world, to be holy and
without blemish before him. In love 5 he
destined us for adoption to himself through
Jesus Christ, in accord with the favor of his
will, 6 for the praise of the glory of his grace
that he granted us in the beloved.
Wishes of Paul to the Ephesians
 15 Therefore, I, too, hearing of your faith in
the Lord Jesus and of your love for all the
holy ones, 16 do not cease giving thanks
for you, remembering you in my prayers,
17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ,
the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of
wisdom and revelation resulting in
knowledge of him.
Wish of Paul
 18 May the eyes of (your) hearts be
enlightened, that you may know what is the
hope that belongs to his call, what are the
riches of glory in his inheritance among the
holy ones.
Commentary
 The reading is focused on God and
Father.
 But the author gives more space and
time to the Son, the object of many
prepositions.
 God works to us through Jesus
Christ.
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He blessed us in Christ v.3
He chose us in him v.4
He destined us for adoption
through him v.5
He granted us glory in the
beloved. V.6
God the Father truly does wonderful
things to us through his son, Jesus
Christ.
Vv.15-18 express two prayers of Paul
to the Ephesians because of their faith
in Jesus. V.15
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That the God of Jesus may give
them a spirit of wisdom and
revelation… v.17
That you may know what is the
hope that belongs to his call..
V.18

15. Reflections on the 2nd reading
 Although the reading is centered on acknowledging God and Father,
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we focus ourselves on Jesus Christ.
Jesus is God’s instrument in dealing with us, humans, in effecting
his love and salvation to all of us, in gifting us with his many graces.
As God does not do away with Jesus in relating himself to us, we
cannot also do away with Jesus in approaching God.
Jesus Christ mediates.
On the part of Paul (not really the writer), the Ephesians’ faith in Jesus
and their love for their fellow Christians trigger Paul to pray more for
the community.
The reading expresses joy and happiness over God’s bountiful love
and the response of faith and love.
Paul has found two sources of his joy: God who works through
Jesus and the Ephesians who believe.
We, Christians, must find joy in loving Jesus and our fellow
Christians.

16. Gospel reading: Matthew 18,1-5.10
 1 The disciples approached Jesus and said, "Who
is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" 2 He
called a child over, placed it in their midst, 3 and
said, "Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and
become like children, you will not enter the
kingdom of heaven. 4 Whoever humbles himself
like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of
heaven. 5 And whoever receives one child such
as this in my name receives me.
 10 "See that you do not despise one of these little
ones, for I say to you that their angels in heaven
always look upon the face of my heavenly Father.

17. Gospel reading: Matthew 18,1-5.10
 1 The disciples approached Jesus and said, "Who
is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" 2 He
called a child over, placed it in their midst, 3 and
said, "Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and
become like children, you will not enter the
kingdom of heaven. 4 Whoever humbles himself
like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of
heaven. 5 And whoever receives one child such
as this in my name receives me.
 10 "See that you do not despise one of these little
ones, for I say to you that their angels in heaven
always look upon the face of my heavenly Father.
The focus is on the child (Jesus).

18. A simple outline!
Gospel reading: Matthew 18,1-5.10
Greatest in the kingdom
 1 The disciples approached Jesus and said, "Who is the
greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" 2 He called a child
over, placed it in their midst,
Sayings
 3 and said, "Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and
become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of
heaven.
 4 Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in
the kingdom of heaven.
 5 And whoever receives one child such as this in my name
receives me.
 10 "See that you do not despise one of these little ones,
for I say to you that their angels in heaven always look
upon the face of my heavenly Father.

19. Gospel reading: Matthew 18,1-5.10
Greatest in the kingdom
 1 The disciples approached
Jesus and said, "Who is the
greatest in the kingdom of
heaven?" 2 He called a child
over, placed it in their midst,
Sayings
 3 and said, "Amen, I say to
you, unless you turn and
become like children, you will
not enter the kingdom of
heaven.
 4 Whoever humbles himself
like this child is the greatest
in the kingdom of heaven.
 5 And whoever receives one
child such as this in my name
receives me.
 10 "See that you do not
despise one of these little
ones, for I say to you that
their angels in heaven always
look upon the face of my
heavenly Father.
Commentary
 Focus on the question - Who is the greatest?
Why are they asking such a question? Do the
disciples understand the difference between
the earthly kingdom and the kingdom of
heaven? v.1
 In v.2, Jesus uses a prop (child) to explain his
answer. Why a child? Who is this child?
 In v.3, Jesus challenges his disciples:
 Unless you turn and become like children…
 V.3 talks about the need for conversion in order
to enter the kingdom of heaven. This is not yet
the answer to the question in v.1
 V.4 gives the answer:
 The greatest is the one who humbles
himself like a child.
 In v.5, Jesus identifies himself with the child.
He who accepts (welcomes) the child accepts
(welcomes) Jesus.
 In v.10, Jesus vehemently asks his disciples
not to despise (to look down, to discredit, or to
make fun of) any of the children.
 God loves them. They have guardian angels.

20. Reflections on the gospel reading
 Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? The
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children.
Jesus must be referring to new recruits, new comers,
new members of the community.
They are enthusiastic about the new faith they have
adopted.
They may be professionals, accomplished people,
experts in their own fields, but beginners in the Christian
faith.
They humble themselves by subjecting themselves to
the scrutiny by the old members, who may not be as
smart / successful as they are.
Jesus challenges the old members to be humble, to be
as fresh as the new ones, who are docile, enthusiastic
and excited about the ever new teaching of God.

21. Tying the 3 readings and the Psalm
 The first reading is about the greatness of the child
who is born.
 The psalm points to the divine word (Jesus), who
should be preferred over rituals.
 The second reading talks about Jesus whom God
uses to bring blessings to us.
 The gospel reading teaches about the humility of a
child/person, as the way to be the greatest in the
kingdom of heaven.

22. How to develop your homily / sharing
 The Sto. Niño is the focus of our homily or
sharing.
 The priest must not, in any way, promote
fanaticism in his sermon.
 Some Christians have turned the real and
religious meaning of the Holy Child into a
fashion show and pageantry.
 Other Christians have turned the image of
Sto. Niño into an amulet (agimat).

23.  The priest-preacher must remind the devotees of
Sto. Niño of the correct disposition toward the
devotion.
 Let us ask ourselves, we, who have a devotion to
the Sto. Niño, if we have captured the real
meaning of his becoming and being a child.

24.  The preacher must make this feast day
meaningful by developing the theme of
humility as we have seen in the gospel.
 The gospel reading rightly answers the
question who is the greatest in the kingdom
of heaven.

He who humbles himself.
 Jesus himself is the greatest, for he humbled
himself.

25.  Jesus humbles himself in the incarnation.
 He becomes human like us.
 He empties himself of his being God and lives
like a mortal being, like us, except sin.
 As if that is not yet enough, when he grows up,
he allows himself to be further humbled
(humiliated) by people who think they know God
better.

26.  As a humble servant, he willingly forgives those
who insult him.
 He knows and owns everything, he is the most
qualified to do everything for God, yet, he
submits himself to a mob, which unjustly and
unfairly treats him and gives him a poor trial.
 Humility is accepting trials and sufferings, which
you think you don’t deserve.
 We, too, are called to practice humility.

27.  The first reading describes the Holy Child perfectly
well.
 Though the prophet does not specifically refer to the
Holy Child, we, Christian readers, believe that the
child that is born with the big titles and with a big
mission is none other than Jesus Christ.
 Yet, this Jesus seems not to succeed because proud
people ignore him.
 They pay lip service to him and do their own thing.

28.  The second reading talks about Jesus, no longer as a
Holy Child, but as a grown up Holy Man.
 Jesus humbly becomes God’s instrument in delivering
his graces to us.
 God the Father does not do anything for us if not
through, in, and for his Son Jesus.
 So, all our thoughts and actions must revolve around
Jesus, the incarnate Word.
 We must not make fun of Jesus, by dressing his image
the way we want, thinking that he is no more than that.
 Instead, we busy ourselves with taking care of real
children of flesh and blood.

29.  In the eucharist, once more Jesus humbles himself
by becoming food for our body and soul.
 In the eucharist, Jesus allows himself to be an
instrument to draw us closer to God.
 In the eucharist, Jesus invites us to be humble like
him, to be the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

30. Our Context of Sin and Grace
 Exaggerated celebration of Sto.
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Nino, more of a show, than
listening to the message
Pride, arrogance, vindictive
Orphans
Malnourished children
Overweight children (obese, no
control of food intake, no discipline)
 Children, exposed too much to
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TV shows, have lost their
imagination
Unparented children
Out of school children
Street children
Child laborers, child soldiers
 Image of Sto. Niño in each
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home
Humble, able to absorb pain
and frustration
Children’s Rights
Hapag-asa
Feeding programs
Catechumenate programs
Adult catechism
On-going formation
Jesus seen as a teacher,
who carries a message
rather than a male baby /
barbie doll
Sagip-Bata, Bantay-Bata

31. Suggested Songs
 Lord, have mercy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PpRghV_Ngnc
 It’s Time to Prepare
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SIandBaBMck
 Holy, Holy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=104r1805jL0