Prayers to the Sto. Niño

 The little boy we wrote about last Christmas who was puzzled at the speed of the Lord’s birth on Christmas day after December 8, the feast of the Immaculate Conception, may even be more perplexed to see the Child grow up and be a Niño so fast just within weeks in January!

Levity aside, however, Cebu has not dropped its festive mode since Christmas as it awaits the grand feast of the Sto. Niño this 3rd Sunday of January. Cardinal Vidal has led the people in the celebration, gently reminding all to remember the essence, the spiritual, the sacred meaning, more than the secular, fiesta or the festive outward appearance of the religious event.

If people flocked to churches for the Simbang Gabi or early morning masses before Christmas, the devotees are again flocking especially to the Basilica to offer their prayers and novenas to the Child Jesus.

And as we sing and praise the holy Baby Niño, together with our personal prayers and intentions, may we as a people, unite and offer the following prayers:

Of thanksgiving, that we have a Supreme Court that recognizes the need to protect God’s creatures and so ordered the creation of environmental “green” courts and an SC that is led by a very wise, spiritual Chief Justice Reynato Puno who recognizes “why very few Filipinos are enjoying the so-called good life.” Speaking before the Philippine Bible Society, the Chief Justice correctly observed that “it is the relentless greed of a few families who, from the beginning of time, have always controlled the wealth of our country…These families have perpetuated their stranglehold on our country’s wealth, dynasty after dynasty. There is no end to their greed, no border to their covetousness.”

Of thanksgiving, that Atty. Ben Cabrido successfully argued and presented the unique case of his clients, the dolphins and other mammals at Tañon Strait, before the United Nations Environmental Protection meeting in Bangkok.

Of supplication, that the Lord touch all leaders in this land, to serve and not continue to be served. May the Child Jesus enlighten those who think theirs is the earthly kingdoms that they presently rule, to return their PORK allocation which rightfully belongs to the people, to prioritize FOOD and WELFARE of the people more than their redundant roads and bridges, to be honest and transparent in accounting for all the public funds that pass their hands.

Of supplication, that the Lord heeds the call of the people to install as public servants those whom HE has Himself truly anointed, and that the Lord remind those who claim they are God’s chosen ones to behave as God’s leaders and not pretend to be GOD and LEADER..

Of hope, that the wisdom of the Child Jesus will descend upon the youth of this land as well as the OFWs, that they will recognize that their votes can make a President and all other important elective officials in 2010, that as early as now, they unite and work to ensure that their votes will be allowed, counted honestly, and proclaimed validly. May the Lord enlighten all voters to safeguard the sanctity of their votes and not sell these to the highest bidder, and that in turn, that genuine, honest leaders and true servants of the Lord and of the people are finally elected to rule this land.

Together with each of your own fervent prayers and petitions, for yourselves and your loved ones, we join hands with you all in celebrating, once again, the happy feast of our Sto. Niño. PIT SEÑOR!

*  *  *

Email: [email protected]