Roque, Joan D.

BSIA-3 September 11, 2020

To the Child Jesus

Why have you come to earth,

Child-God, in a poor manger?
Does Fortune find you a stranger
from the moment of your birth?

Alas, of heavenly stock

now turned an earthly resident!
Do you not wish to be president
but the shepherd of your flock?

In the first verse of the poem Dr. Jose Rizal he was questioning the Lord Jesus Christ. He
asked the Lord Jesus Christ or the Child of God why does he was born on a manger as his
place of birth, he further questioned why does Fortune whether it is fate or wealth has
left him the moment he entered the world of humanity.
The second verse expresses concern as the expression “Alas” expresses concern, grief or
pity. He expresses his doubt that anyone is willing to be a shepherd rather than a
President. It means that wouldn’t you rather be the Lord or King above all earth rather
than just a mere shepherd, a guide of the sheep? Dr. Jose Rizal was asking the Lord Jesus
if he didn’t like to be above all and govern all the land than just like an average people.
I believe as Dr. Jose Rizal was taught about faithfulness to the Church but at the same
time he taught himself how to love deeply for his country that his love for his country
that his poems have deeper meaning when studied carefully. He associated his religious
poem to6 the situation of the country at that moment. It was easy to connect to his mind
the life and suffering they were facing in the situation.
I believe that the masonic life of Rizal didn’t left him even when he died. His love and
care for the country is far greater and deeper than anyone else. His good will for the
Philippines has not stained dirty by anyone even if there are people wanted it to be
bloody. He was firm to his beliefs and remain faithful to his country.