Wednesday, January 17, 2007

Sto. Nino

Sto. Nino (Proper to the Philippines)



History

The Feast of the Sto. Nino is a feast proper to the Philippines, meaning that it is celebrated only in the Philippines. It is special to the Philippines because it is connected to the history of our country.

On March 16, 1521 Magellan was the first European to set foot on the Philippines. On April 14 he arrived in Cebu and there converted Rajah Humabon and his wife Queen Juana as well as their 800 people. After the baptism, Magellan gave Queen Juana a gift, the statue of the Sto. Nino. What Queen Juana did was to put the statue where there used to be the idols that they worshipped.

Today the Sto. Nino is enshrined in the minor Basilica of the Sto. Nino. And every third Sunday of January the Sto. Nino is honored with a festival that is called Sinulog.

Theological Reflection

Douglas Elwood and Patricia Magdamo wrote a book in 1970, Christ in the Philippine Context. They observed that two favorite images of Filipinos are the Sto. Nino and the Santo Entierro. The first is the child Christ and the second is the Dead Christ. And they asked: “What does this say about Filipino Catholics?” We forgot about the adult Christ. And our faith has remained immature and infantile.

I have my own interpretation. I think that the Sto. Nino is dear to us because we love children. We are also devoted to the Santo Entierro and to the Poon Nazareno for that matter because we can relate to the suffering Christ. We are after all living in a third world country where economic hardship is a fact of daily life. And because Jesus knows what suffering means, he is able to sympathize with us. Consequently, we find it so natural to approach the Santo Entierro and the Poon Nazareno in the midst of life's challenges.

Folk Religiosity

A few nights ago I happened to see on TV a documentary on a medium who claims to receive messages from the Sto. Nino. The clips showed the Sto. Nino rocking sideways. Of course, the medium was touching the base of the statue. In the past we have heard news of a dancing Sto. Nino. More common is the news of people whose voice changes because the Sto. Nino is said to speak through him. We have reason to question the authenticity of these claims.

There are the Sto. Nino de Cebu and the Infant Jesus of Prague. But do you know that there is such a thing as Sto. Nino de la Swerte? He is clothed in green (the normal color is red.). He is holding a pouch containing coins. This Sto. Nino is supposed to bring good luck (swerte). Who invented this Sto. Nino, I do not know.

Here is the case for the need for a solid grounding in the Catholic Faith. For unless there is sufficient grounding we would expect aberrations such as these to continue.

Child-like Not Childish (Tulad ng Bata, Hindi Isip-Bata)

Jesus said that unless we change and become like little children, we can not enter the Kingdom of God. He also said that the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to people who are like them. Obviously, Jesus is thinking of specific characteristics we associate with children.

I should like to think that dependence on God is one of them. Now I do not mean to say that we leave everything to God and nothing to ourselves. The saying "Nasa Diyos ang awa. Nasa tao ang gawa" (We rely on God's mercy but we still have to work.) holds true.

Scriptures remind us that unless the Lord builds the house they labor in vain who build it. I should like to think that this expresses what dependence on God mean. To illustrate, in our church people offer Masses for a variety of intentions. One intention would be passing the board exams. Another would be healing. Still another would be a blessing on one's birthday. We express our dependence on God by invoking his blessing and asking for his help.

Conclusion

After I read the life of St. Therese of the Child Jesus, I immediately liked her. I mean I was able to relate with her. Hers was a spirituality that was so simple and unencumbered. She taught me the spiritual life and all our life for that matter is letting God and letting go. She painted an image of her child-like spirituality as God coming down the staircase and carrying you in his arms bringing you up the same staircase. I altered it a bit since I could not relate to the image of being picked up like a child. This is how I see it: God comes down the staircase. He takes me by the arm and together we climb the stairs.

As long as we need God, there will be a place for him in our life. Woe to us if we outgrow the need for God. There will be no place for him in our life.

14 comments:

annie said...

ang ganda ng babae at sto. nino replica

mary anne uy said...

ang ganda ng babae at sto. nino replica

Anonymous said...

Heya this is kinda of off topic but I was wanting to know if blogs
use WYSIWYG editors or if you have to manually code with HTML.
I'm starting a blog soon but have no coding skills so I wanted to get guidance from someone with experience. Any help would be enormously appreciated!

My page :: best payday loan lenders

Anonymous said...

alesse reviews acne.org http://alesse64tx.carbonmade.com/projects/4679991 alesse birth control pill reviews [url=http://surveys.questionpro.com/a/TakeSurvey?id=3418868] alesse contraceptive pill reviews[/url] is alesse birth control good for acne alesse 28 pilule blanche alesse birth control positive reviews
mamoleptino321
alesse birth control ingredients http://alessedzss0078.carbonmade.com/projects/4680048 these will be the years alesso lyrics [url=http://flavors.me/alesse_taitalirect1983] roberto ales presidente[/url] alesse monophasic or triphasic alesse 28 price canada alessi tuners prices

http://xgn848688.host.whoisweb.net/eng/community/board_view.php?no=382899&code=51&c_page=&search=&keyword= http://www.an-dream.com/joy/mjoyful.cgi?page=0%810%842++++++++++++Result:+%F3%F1%EF%E5%F5;+Result:+%ED%E5+%ED%E0%F8%EB%EE%F1%FC+%F4%EE%F0%EC%FB+%E4%EB%FF+%EE%F2%EF%F0%E0%E2%EA%E8; http://www.theshoponcanyon.com/cms.cfm/pageId/1375/fuseaction/blog.viewPost/entryId/351#comment13071 http://www.fragrance.8ne.jp/bbs/guest/sunbbs.cgi?mode=form&no=1906&page=%2525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525%5DYour+Result:+%F1%EB%E8%F8%EA%EE%EC+%E1%EE%EB%FC%F8%E0%FF+%F1%F2%F0%E0%ED%E8%F7%EA%E0,+%ED%E5+%E4%EE%EA%E0%F7%E0%ED%EE;+%E2%EE%E7%EC%EE%E6%ED%EE,+%EE%F2%EF%F0%E0%E2%EB%E5%ED%EE;+Result:+%F0%E5%F1%F3%F0%F1+%E4%EB%FF+%EF%EE%F1%F2%E8%ED%E3%E0+%ED%E5%EF%F0%E8%E3%EE%E4%E5%ED+%28%EB%E8%E1%EE+%EE%F2%F1%F3%F2%F1%F2%E2%F3%E5%F2+%EF%EE%E4%EA%EB%FE%F7%E5%ED%E8%E5+%EA+%E8%ED%F2%E5%F0%ED%E5%F2%F3%29 http://www.gungigol.or.kr/note/read.cgi?board=kajwa_vincent_6&y_number=3799+Result:+%F3%F1%EF%E5%F5;+BB-%EA%EE%E4+%ED%E5+%F0%E0%E1%EE%F2%E0%E5%F2;

alesse birth control acne side effects http://archive.org/details/proxasapun pilule contraceptive alesse 28 [url=http://alesse74hk.carbonmade.com/projects/4679959] alesse 28 effets secondaires[/url] alesse generic cost common side effects of alesse 28 alesse roberto

Anonymous said...

Hello to every one, it's genuinely a good for me to pay a visit this web page, it contains valuable Information.

My page: read more here

Anonymous said...

el mejor tratamiento para el acne http://alessedf4709.carbonmade.com/projects/4679958 acne bilder [url=http://www.everyoneweb.es/acne1985a16] acne tanda[/url] Remedios caseros para el acne del bebe productos libres de acne acne del aceite de oregano
mamoleptino321
tratamientos para las cicatrices del acne http://surveys.questionpro.com/a/TakeSurvey?id=3418888 removedores de acne [url=http://www.everyoneweb.es/acne1975a79] acne de muslo[/url] terapia de luz azul acne limpio y claro punto de ventaja acne sistemas de acne superior

http://acm.mipt.ru/board/?read=5929 http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=339705756650097087&postID=5529101675116219382&page=1&token=1362005241526 http://www.ugta.dz/spip.php?page=forum&id_article=100 http://wiki.civilmedia.eu/index.php?title=Talk:In_Other_Worl%28d%29s:_An_Exercise_in_Collaborative_Writing_%28Tea_Hvala%29&action=edit&section=new http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=18705996&postID=1301663394396868549&page=1&token=1361965640254

Consejos sobre como deshacerse del acne http://surveys.questionpro.com/a/TakeSurvey?id=3418923 Fotos de acne [url=http://surveys.questionpro.com/a/TakeSurvey?id=3418651] control de la natalidad que ayuda con el acne[/url] revision de acne de Biore acne en la nariz secreto de acne Chris gibson

Anonymous said...

Thank you for any other informative blog.
Where else may just I get that kind of information written in such a perfect manner?
I've a venture that I am simply now operating on, and I have been on the glance out for such information.

Feel free to surf to my weblog ... guaranteed payday loans

Anonymous said...

Article ωгiting is аlso a fun, if
you know afteг thаt you сan ωrite if not
іt is comρlicated to ωrite.

My weblog; saffron extract

Anonymous said...

I was suggested this web site through my cousin. I am no longer sure whether or not this publish is written by him as nobody else recognize such exact about my problem.
You're wonderful! Thank you!

Also visit my website :: cardsharing anbieter

Anonymous said...

Have you ever thought about publishing an ebook or guest authoring on other websites? I have a blog centered on the same topics you discuss and would love to have you share some stories/information. I know my audience would enjoy your work. If you're even remotely interested, feel free to shoot me an e mail.|
[url=http://instantonlinepayday.co.uk/]pay day loan
[/url]

Anonymous said...

I'm truly enjoying the design and layout of your blog. It's a
very easy on the eyes which makes it much more pleasant for me to come here and visit more often.

Did you hire out a designer to create your theme? Outstanding work!


Here is my weblog :: deer antler spray

Anonymous said...

Designer [url=http://sacguessboutique.webnode.fr]guess outlet[/url] have the the majority of elegant designs as well as impressive. [url=http://sacslongchampfrance4.webnode.fr]longchamp france[/url] era we have come across numerous cycles that the interest toward custom handbags is quite normal. Within our day-to-day lives|it has turned into a [url=http://longchampsacs2013.webnode.fr]sac longchamp[/url] to look appealing as well as stylish|and that desire is actually driving. To be certain [url=http://longchampsoldes2013.devhub.com]sacs longchamp[/url]. For those who don know Givenchy [url=http://sacguesssoldes2013.webnode.fr]sac guess[/url] outlet with regard to keeping your overall look.
A girl provide you with a good type of the greatest quality designer [url=http://longchamppascherpliage.weebly.com]longchamp pas cher pliage[/url] and luxurious [url=http://isabellemarantsneakersimitation.weebly.com]isabelle marant sneakers[/url] We're pleased to counsel you concerning the trusted online topple off purses stores on the planet. [url=http://sacmichaelkorssoldes.weebly.com]michael kors france[/url] lots of woman possess the to sparkle whilst strolling along the road with their reproduction chanel [url=http://sacguessbymarciano.weebly.com]guess collection[/url] or even look and feel the highest quality [url=http://longchampsacssoldes2013.weebly.com]longchamp soldes 2013[/url] replications.
The Q [url=http://burberry-tote-cher-soldes.webnode.fr/]burberry outlet[/url] mtKia IzfShk J search engine [url=http://longchamp-sacs-2013-solde.webnode.fr/]longchamp france[/url] Dash panel gadget gxHlp FdkKyjSesAdc [url=http://isabel-marant-sneakers-soldes.webnode.fr/]isabel marant sneakers[/url] HmoLpsB ucPzp [url=http://longchamppliagebags.weebly.com/]longchamp bags[/url] IvyTfwN hxNxm EppAfl [url=http://basketisabelmarantsoldes.webnode.fr/]isabel marant basket[/url] FxjU DdkSna [url=http://burberryca.weebly.com/]burberry canada sale[/url] RduE QilV
FveFzz [url=http://korsmichael.weebly.com]michael by michael kors[/url] YxeKsc GdcPme [url=http://longchamppliagehobofr.weebly.com]longchamp pliage hobolongchamp pliage hobosac longchamp pliage[/url] XdvErs LmjNtk People Previously used to [url=http://sacslongchampsolde.tripod.com]sacs longchamp soldes[/url] RumVuh PpqMsi But These Days I laugh at all of them [url=http://isabellemarantchaussures.weebly.com]isabelle marant chaussures[/url] HdjFrg BkkQcj [url=http://sacguessnoir2013.weebly.com]guess boutique[/url] NqaCpq BnxZrh

Anonymous said...

Chari said, Aircell has said 2008 will be held in early 2011 into the use of LTE, and in flight to achieve the speed of 300M. However, despite the urgent demand, the company is not enough spectrum to use LTE. By Chinese communications company ZTE EV-DO Revision B product is Aiecell existing EV-DO products in the hardware and software upgrades. Wear christian louboutin mens shoes to become more fashional, noble gentlemen. Mens christian louboutin shoes is symbol of a fashional, elegant young man. Because christian louboutin shoes embody a fashional attitude with cute detailing. [url=http://www.cheapchristianlouboutinshoesuk.com/christian-louboutin-devalavi-120mm-suede-slingbacks-black-cheap-706.html] Christian Louboutin Devalavi 120mm Suede slingbacks Black,christian louboutin shoes:88% With Free Shipping On All orders[/url]

girls
his or her
32
is at
throwback red sole shoes

Allow the oil drain in to the pan.

Related Search:http://www.cheapchristianlouboutinshoesuk.com/christian-louboutin-bibi-140-patent-leather-pump-shoes-black-cheap-823.html

Anonymous said...

Continue Reading ativan crazy meds - ativan high blood sugar