Gospel: January 19, 2025
January 19, 2025 (Sunday)
Feast of the Sto. Niño
Psalter: Proper / (White)
Ps 97:1, 2-3, 3-4, 5-6
All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
1st Reading: Isaiah 9:1-6
2nd Reading: Ephesians 1:3-6, 15-18
Gospel: Luke 2:41-52
Every year, the parents of Jesus went to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover, as was customary. And when Jesus was 12 years old, he went up with them, according to the custom of this feast. After the festival as over, they returned, but the boy Jesus remained in Jerusalem; and his parents did not know it.
They assumed that he was in their group of travelers, and, after walking the whole day, they looked for him among their relatives and friends. As they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem, searching for him; and, on the third day, they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking questions. And all the people were amazed at his understanding and his answers.
His parents were very surprised when they saw him; and his mother said to him, “Son, why have you done this to us? Your father and I were very worried while searching for you.” Then he said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” But they did not understand this answer.
Jesus went down with them, returning to Nazareth, and he continued to be obedient to them. As for his mother, she kept all these things in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom and age, and in divine and human favor.
Lectio Divina:
“For a child is born to us…” Read: “For a child is born to us…” That long-awaited child is Jesus, the Messiah, fully human and fully divine, who as a boy takes his place in the Temple, as “Wonderful Counselor,” teaching the teachers.
Reflect: The image of the Niño, the child Jesus, is an important part of Catholic devotion in many countries, such as Spain, the Czech Republic and the Philippines. In Rome, there was huge outcry when the Bambino Gesù was stolen from the Basilica of Santa Maria in Aracoeli. People felt bereft.
The image of the little child brings us comfort, and if we lose sight of him, we can feel anxious, like Mary and Joseph in the Gospel. But Jesus asks us if we are looking for him in the right place. “Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” Jesus is totally dedicated to the Father’s will and to the things of God.
This means that we find Christ in good things, in godly things, and we will lose him when we wander away from them.
Pray: Reflect on the different facets of your life. Look for Christ where there is goodness, justice, love, peace, and joy.
Do any of your actions draw you away from Christ? Act: Set aside anything that takes you away from following Christ faithfully.
