A childlike faith that keeps on growing

Our celebration of the 500 Years of Christianity in the Philippines cannot but bring us back to the Sto. Nino as the first image we have received to remind us of the loving God whom we believe. As we celebrate today the Feast of the Sto. Nino our faith must not remain stagnant but must keep on growing. How?

Firstly, our theme speaks for that challenge of growing. We who received the faith must also share it. We are gifted to give. We who have been given with the strength of faith must spread it to others. This could be manifested in living as good stewards in many ways. We must become good managers for every gift that we received, be it material of spiritual.

Secondly, as St. Pope John Paul II used to tell us of his pride in seeing the faith of the Filipinos, he has blessed us to become missionaries in Asia and in other parts of the world. Pope Francis also observes that the presence of Filipinos abroad, especially Europe, makes others see the faith alive in their words and actions. We need to continue to be humble and bold in witnessing the faith even as we try to find work and settlement outside the confines of our beloved country, the Philippines.

Thirdly, the coming national elections is an opportunity for us to show how we have matured in exercising our sovereignty both as Christians and as citizens of the country. We must show before ourselves and before the world our responsibility in making or breaking our country by the way we vote. We need to feel we always part of the government and the Church being believers and citizens of the country.

O Maria, Rayna sa Pilipinas, agaka kami ngadto sa Manluluwas!