Sto. Niño, not worship alone but moral conduct too

This Sunday is the feast of the Sto. Niño in the Philippines.

- FR. BEL R. SAN LUIS, SVD

It is immensely popular among Filipinos. Rich and poor, young and old alike maintain a strong, if not fanatical, devotion to the Holy Child.On the feast, big and mini statues are dressed endearingly in various forms and attires. There's a Sto. Niño clad as a fireman, doctor, or policeman. There is also a Sto. Niño clothed in green, representing the green US dollar bills Filipinos are praying devoutly of receiving them.

In the gospel, Jesus teaches: "Amen I say to you, whoever does not accept the Kingdom of God like a child will not enter it" (Mark 13,15).

"Like little children," what does that mean? What is it about a child that Jesus liked and valued so much?

The emphasis is on being childlike, not childish; hence, Christlike.