Lord My Chef Daily Recipe for Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II Thursday in the Fourteenth Week of Ordinary Time, Year II, 09 July 2026 Hosea 11:1-4, 8-9 <*((((>< + ><))))*> Matthew 10:7-15
Photo by Mr. Vigie Ongleo in Colorado, 03 June 2026.
I have not really known you,
Lord my God;
grant me the grace of intimacy,
like that of a son and a Father
as my life and my mission;
You have nurtured me, O God
as your own son
but I did not recognize you
that later in life,
I followed my doubts,
my false securities
and negatives thoughts
than you.
Thus says the Lord: When Israel was a child I loved him, out of Egypt I called my son. The more I called them, the farther they went from me, sacrificing to the Baals and burning incense to idols. Yet it was I who taught Ephraim to walk, who took them in my arms; I drew them with human cords, with bands of love; I fostered them like one who raises an infant to his cheeks, yet, though I stooped to feed my child, they did not know that I was their healer (Hosea 11:1-4).
Forgive me, merciful Father; though I pray always while striving to be holy, the more I stray from you because my love for you is superficial as seen too in my skin-deep interpersonal relationships because your love experiences are forgotten as I give more emphasis on my shortcomings, expectations, and "returns".
Let me get closer to you, Father in the love of your Son Jesus Christ so that my brokenness may be healed; set me free from my many imprisonment with sin so that I can go make the proclamation that "the Kingdom of heaven is at hand" by letting me "cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, and drive out demons" (Matthew 10:7-8); remind me always of your immense love for me poured by Christ on the Cross so that I may "give without cost" (Matthew 10:8) except that I am doing your most Holy Will; and lastly, let me trust you completely so that I am not bothered with so many things for the journey except Jesus, only Jesus, always Jesus. Amen.
Photo by Mr. Vigie Ongleo in Colorado, 03 June 2026.
Quiet Storm by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II, 08 July 2026
It has been three days since Sunday when we heard Jesus calling us to “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for your selves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Mt.11:28-30).
It is one of the shortest and most memorable passage in the gospel but, how do we really come to Jesus in order to rest and feel light?
The good news is, it is Jesus who actually comes to us first, inviting us to come to him to find rest and feel light. Exactly like at the meeting of the Risen Lord and Thomas the Apostle eight days after Easter as narrated to us by John. You will recall that last Friday was the Feast of St. Thomas the Apostle (June 3) when I presented in my homily Caravaggio’s painting called The Incredulity of Thomas done in 1602. This is the second time I have used a painting by this renowned Italian painter said to be the favorite of the late Pope Francis too.
Photo of painting by Caravaggio, “The Incredulity of Thomas” via wikipedia.commons.org.
Thomas “refused” to believe the Apostles’ news to him that Jesus had risen, saying that “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger into the nail marks and put my hand into his side, I will not believe” (Jn.10:25).
Many times we are like Thomas, a Didymus, with a twin in life like doubt and certainty, belief and unbelief, darkness and light.
Like Thomas, we say unconsciously that “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger into the nail marks and put my hand into his side, I will not believe” (Jn.10:25) because it is when we are suffering, when we are in darkness, when we are in doubt when we truly search and long for God and Jesus.
It is not that Thomas nor we could not believe that Jesus had risen or doubted Christ at all; actually, Thomas believed in Jesus that is why he came on the eighth day to await the Lord’s coming in the same manner that we still pray despite our “doubts”.
Now a week later, his disciples were again inside and Thomas was with them. Jesus came, although the doors were locked, and stood in their midst and said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands, and bring your hand and put it into my side, and do not be unbelieving, but believe.” Thomas answered and said to him, “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:26-28)
Photo of painting by Caravaggio, “The Incredulity of Thomas” via wikipedia.commons.org.
See the artistry of Caravaggio in this painting, that characteristic play of light and darkness emanating from Jesus, illuminating Thomas and his elder Apostles Peter and John.
All darkness in life are diminished, even vanished completely when we bring everything and everyone in the light of Jesus Christ who comes to us to enlighten us, to illumine us from many darkness we go through in life like Thomas on that night of the eighth day of Easter.
But, there is more to the light of Christ that we can see in this Caravaggio painting.
Amid its stillness and silence, one could feel deeply Jesus Christ’s words last Sunday – come to me – echoed softly, personally, lovingly to Thomas. And to each one of us today.
Photo of painting by Caravaggio, “The Incredulity of Thomas” via wikipedia.commons.org.
John tells us that Jesus simply said to Thomas to “Put your finger here and see my hands, bring your hand and put it into my side, and do not be unbelieving, but believe.” Thomas answered and said to him, “My Lord and my God” (Jn.20:27-28).
Okay, fine… it is just my imagination or my contemplation that I heard Christ’s words last Sunday echoed in this scene, “come to me and I will give you rest” but, there is something so beautiful and deeply personal with Jesus in saying or implying those same words here. You can hear it so close, so near you, not from afar especially when you consider its Filipino translation of “Lumapit kayo sa akin” or the informal “Halikayo at lumapit sa akin” that both indicate a separation of even a few feet away from Jesus who is calling us.
See the proximity of the four people in this painting. That is how close Jesus gets to us whenever he comes to us, inviting us to come to him in order to find rest especially in those dark moments in our lives, when we feel hurt and abandoned. When we are so stressed out as seen in those wrinkles on the foreheads of the three apostles!
Contrast their images to the serenity of Jesus. Most of all, see also the hands of Jesus, of how his left hand with the nail wound visible moving aside his garment so that Thomas and his companions may see further his pierced side.
Whenever Jesus comes to us, calling us to come to him to show us his wounds from the cross to remind us that before all our pains and hurts came, he was there first to suffer and be wounded and died for us.
And he has come to us again, calling us to come to him because he had risen, assuring us that all our wounds like his will heal eventually! That is when we experience rest. And being light in life.
But, what I love most in this painting is the way Caravaggio depicted the Risen Lord holding the hand of Thomas while probing into his side wound:
Photo of painting by Caravaggio, “The Incredulity of Thomas” via wikipedia.commons.org.
How lovely! Caravaggio must be in the highest heaven when he painted this part.
Remember when Thomas dared to say unless he sees the nail marks in the Lord’s hands and put his hand at his side, he would not believe?
Jesus knew it so well not only with Thomas but with each one of us, of our being a Didymus, always with a twin of doubt so that he does not merely appear but touches us to experience deeply, personally his loving presence through his wounds.
See how Caravaggio depicted the left hand of Jesus again with the mark of nail holding the very hand of Thomas, directing his finger into his pierced side. You could feel the sure grip as well as gentleness of the Lord’s hand in leading the finger of Thomas into his pierced side wound. So dramatic as if it is not enough for Jesus to being present but most of all, experienced as closest at possible.
Jesus touches us always, literally and figuratively by holding our wounded selves to experience his wounded self too. He does not only call us in words but leads us with his total self.
Christ’s invitation for us to “come to him” remains personal and personalized. Not mass produced like what is happening these days where speed and reach are the main considerations, not the person.
While writing this piece yesterday, one of the blogs I follow came out with a new article exactly about last Sunday’s gospel scene, claiming that if God texts us today, these very words to “come to me” by Jesus would be his “text message” to us (https://thedevotionalguy.blog/2026/07/07/if-god-sent-you-a-text/).
I believe so. Because text messages have become the closest things we can have of anyone in these days of social media. However, if ever you receive that text message from Jesus, run outside to meet him personally for surely, he had come. Amen. God bless you.
Photo by author, St. Michael Retreat House, Antipolo City, 16 June 2026.
Lord My Chef Daily Recipe for Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II Tuesday in the Fourteenth Week of Ordinary Time, Year II Hosea 8:4-7, 11-13 ><))))*> + ><))))*> + ><))))*> Matthew 9:32-38
Daily scene of commuters in Metro Manila; photo by Veejay Villafranca/Bloomberg via Getty Images, 2024.
Your words today, O Lord are very inspiring and challenging, inviting me to get involved with those in the margins, with those suffering, for those "troubled and abandoned, like sheep without a shepherd" (Matthew 9:36).
Give me the wisdom and charity to be involved with the voiceless in your holy name, Jesus, for the sake of your Kingdom and not for any self-interests like those in Israel in the first reading who "appointed kings without God's approval, making idols out of their gold and silver, making altars that became occasions for their sins" (Hosea 8:4, 11).
Grant me courage, Jesus to get involved with your poor little ones who sometimes would even reject our efforts but most especially when others brand us as rebels, as diabolic.
But the Pharisees said, “He drives out demons by the prince of demons” (Matthew 9:34).
Teach me, Jesus, the proper way to respond to your invitation to get involved with the poor and suffering, that I may grow in love and compassion for those in need. Amen.
Lord My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II Monday in the Fourteenth Week of Ordinary Time, Year II, 06 July 2026 Hosea 2:16,17-18, 21-22 <*((((>< + ><))))*> Matthew 9:18-26
Photo by Mr. Vigie Ongleo somewhere in Colorado, 03 June 2026.
So many things are happening in your gospel passage today, Lord Jesus, involving three key persons you have healed with crowds at the background; what I like most, dear Jesus are the gestures involved:
the official came forward and knelt before you and you rose and followed him;
the sick woman came up behind you and touched your cloak you turned around to declare her her faith had saved her;
in the official's home, you drove away the crowd making a commotion, then you came to take his daughter's hand laying dead on her bed and she was brought back to life.
How amazing Lord Jesus that you never fail to respond positively to our human gestures of coming forward to you, of coming behind you, and being still before you; in you, Jesus, our human gestures have become so divine, the ordinary so sublime like the sharing of meal in your name.
While Jesus was speaking, an official came forward, knelt down before him, and said, “My daughter has just died. But come, lay your hand on her, and she will live.” Jesus rose and followed him, and so did his disciples. A woman suffering hemorrhages for twleve years came up behind him and touched the tassel on his cloak. She said to herself, “If only I can touch his cloak, I shall be cured.” Jesus turned around and saw her, and said, “Courage, daughter! Your faith has saved you.” And from that hour the woman was cured. When Jesus arrived at the official’s house house and … When the crowd was put out, he came and took her by hand, and the little girl arose (Matthew 9:18-21, 25).
Bless us, Lord Jesus, to follow you in the desert of emptiness to be able to listen to you and most especially respond to you "in right and justice, in love and mercy, in fidelity" (Hosea 2:16, 21) that we may remain in your loving relationship always. Amen.
Photo by author, St. Michael Retreat House, Antipolo City, 16 June 2026.
Lord My Chef Sunday Music by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II, 05 July 2026 Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle A
Photo by Ms. Marivic Tribiana on Facebook, 17 April 2020 following fire in Tondo,Manila.
Our gospel this Sunday is short but one of the most loved words by our Lord Jesus Christ often quoted even in some popular songs and music: “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for your selves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30).
Everyday Jesus calls us to come to him, to learn from him, to experience lightness in life not heaviness of compulsion and duty as most people would think of his demands. However, it is not a kind of R&R we all aspire every weekend at the beach or a mountain resort. Christ calls us today to come to him and learn from him on how to have a steady, realistic, day-to-day approach to life lived in his company, lived in love for one another as brother and sister (https://lordmychef.com/2026/07/04/learning-from-jesus-2/).
And that is why we remembered and chose this beautiful song from 1969 by The Hollies, “He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother.”
...The road is long With many a winding turn That leads us to who knows where, who knows where But I'm strong Strong enough to carry him He ain't heavy, he's my brother
… So on we go His welfare is of my concern No burden is he to bear We'll get there
… For I know He would not encumber me He ain't heavy, he's my brother
Most captivating with this song is its opening music of a harmonica that stirs ones soul superbly balanced with a bass guitar that perfectly filled the rhythm and melody until Allan Clarke burst with the opening lines that give you a picture right away of the song meaning – love for one another as brothers and sisters.
Composed by Bobby Scott and Bob Russell who was then dying of lymphoma cancer, the song was recorder earlier by another American artist; The Hollies’ guitarist Tony Hicks heard it while searching for songs to record for their group. Hicks found the demo tape of Scott and Russell too slow, asked permission to make it a little upbeat by adding an orchestra with the young Elton John playing the piano. It became an instant hit both in Britain and the US, spawning other versions until now.
More than its beautiful music and lyrics, the ballad is so appealing because of its message of love. It is interesting to know that the phrase “he ain’t heavy, he is my brother” is the motto of the Boys Town children’s home founded in 1917 by Fr. Edward Flanagan in Omaha, Nebraska. The following year, Fr. Flanagan saw a boy carrying up a set of stairs another resident stricken with polio, wearing braces; Fr. Flanagan asked the boy if it was heavy and was told, “he ain’t heavy, Father; he is my brother.” The phrase got stuck and became the motto of Boys Town that inspired this beautiful song. (Pope Leo XIV recently declared Fr. Flanagan “Venerable” as his cause for beatification moves closer to realization.)
In today’s gospel, this is precisely the yoke Jesus is telling us that is his, light and easy: love. Everything becomes light when seen and done in love, with love. Without love, everything becomes heavy due to sadness; hence, the need for more love as the last three stanzas tell us with the long road ahead filled with more pains and sufferings.
… If I'm laden at all I'm laden with sadness That everyone's heart Isn't filled with the gladness Of love for one another
… It's a long, long road From which there is no return While we're on the way to there Why not share?
… And the load Doesn't weigh me down at all He ain't heavy, he's my brother
… He's my brother He ain't heavy, he's my brother He ain't heavy, he's my brother
Amen. May you have a lighter week in Christ this week with this music.
Lord My Chef Sunday Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time-A, 05 July 2026 Zechariah 9:9-10 ><}}}}*> Romans 8:9, 11-13 ><}}}}*> Matthew 11:25-30
Photo by author, Sacred Heart Novitiate, Novaliches, QC, 20 March 2024.
What a refreshing gospel we have today with Jesus asking us to come to him to find rest, four weeks after being moved with pity at the sight of the crowd who were like sheep without a shepherd that he called and sent his Twelve Apostles to bring them his good news of salvation (June 14).
The following two Sundays he taught us of our work in harvesting the abundant harvest by being brave and gracious, and hospitable (June 21, 28).
This Sunday, Jesus wraps up his teachings on our work after he himself was rejected by his own folks because he knows very well ours is a difficult mission (June 21) as he praised the little ones who have accepted him like the poor and marginalized.
At that time Jesus exclaimed: “I give praise to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to little ones… Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for your selves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:25, 28-30).
Photo by author, Sacred Heart Novitiate, Novaliches, QC, 20 March 2024.
What are the lessons Jesus is asking us to learn from him, especially in these troubled times of ours when the corrupt and idiots reign supremely simply because they are more in number?
See how difficult it is to be a Christian these days when you hear and see all over social media all kinds of inanities and stupidities happening everywhere like callous politicians acting as clowns with a massive crowd of idiots parroting the words of their cult leaders masquerading as religious men. Or the two couples who climbed atop the Empire State Building in New York for a performance of unfurling a banner calling for more love in the world, with the man pretending to propose to the woman who turned out to be his wife for several months already.
From #philstar via FB, 02 July 2026.
Haynaku! Juice colored!
Everything is so exhausting. The only good news we have these days is again our very own Alex Eala “smoking” the grass at Wimbledon. And perhaps the President going to Vancouver to inaugurate the newest Jollibee there with the Canadian Prime Minster enjoying a more joyful chicken joy. Sanaol!
But, amid all these dismal happenings, Jesus is here with us calling us to his side, to experience his warmth, to learn from him how we can feel light amid all these heavy burdens around us.
Notice how with the social media all over us with its bad news that it has become so easy to feel lumbered with all the contradictions in our lives plus see the various needs we feel missing in our relationships that it has become our past time to worry and feel so burdened most of the time.
Jesus promises us this Sunday that following him brings lightness not heaviness of compulsion and duty as most people would think of his demands. However, it is not a kind of R&R we all aspire every weekend at the beach or a mountain resort.
Christ calls us today to come to him and learn from him on how to have a steady, realistic, day-to-day approach to life lived in his company.
First lesson Jesus is teaching us to learn from him today is to rejoice always.
Photo by author, St. Michael Retreat House, Antipolo City, 16 June 2026.
Being joyful is more than being happy; to rejoice is to have our heart smiling because deep down inside we are assured that no matter what happens in life, even if worse comes to worst, Jesus remains with us and would never ever abandon us. That’s because he is not like a stern master without any love and concern for his slaves.
Jesus is the fulfillment of the first reading calling us to rejoice because he is the king who had come, “a just savior is he, meek, and riding on an ass, on a colt, the foal of an ass” (Zec.9:9).
Recall Jesus Christ’s triumphant entry to Jerusalem on Palm Sunday riding an ass so that he could be at eye-level with everyone in the city unlike riding a horse that is so high and even menacing in stature.
Imagine the setting of this Sunday gospel: Jesus was lamenting at how his fellow Jews have rejected him despite his many miracles but at the same time, he was rejoicing, praising the Father in sending him the poor and outcasts of their society as his first believers and followers. Yes, Jesus was hurting for being rejected but he found more reasons to rejoice than sulk. Why waste energy on the negative when there are a lot of good things happening?
Rejoicing means looking beyond the physical and temporal things; rejoicing is being a visionary who sees opportunities behind every problem and issues at hand. Rejoicing is seeing grace than curse, focusing more on Christ than the problems. Indeed,“every gising is a blessing” because every morning we wake up, God assures us of his immense love for us, that he believes in us, and is sending us on a mission to share that joy of living. And believing in him!
Photo by author, July 2011.
Second lesson Jesus is teaching us to learn from him this Sunday is to surrender, to set aside our personal agenda so that we can take up his yoke that is easy and burden that is light.
One reason we cannot rejoice is our refusal to give up our many yokes and burdens that are mostly much ado about nothing at all.
Let go and let God!
Surrendering is daily dying to one’s self to rise to new life in Christ which leads us to the third lesson Jesus wants us to learn from him this Sunday:
Live in solidarity with Christ empowered by the Holy Spirit as St. Paul tells us in the second reading.
Brothers and sisters: You are not in the flesh; on the contrary you are in the spiritr, if only the Spirit of God dwells in you. Consequently, brothers and sisters, we are not debtors to the flesh to live according to flesh. For if you ive according to the flesh, you will die, but if by the spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live (Romans 8:9, 12-13).
Solidarity with Christ is the opposite of solidarity with the old humanity with Adam enslaved to sin which is not just body versus soul nor should flesh be understood as sexual immorality; solidarity with Christ is life in the Holy Spirit that results in eternal life in God. It is a choice we make daily, of whether we shall heed Christ’s call to come to him and learn from him who is meek and humble of heart. Solidarity with Christ is living in the love of Christ.
The good news is, Jesus gives us all the grace we need to love and choose him, to learn from him even if many times we fall and stumble because of our heavy burdens due to sin. This Sunday and every day, make the right choice. Choose Jesus, chose love to be light, choose life. Amen. Have a blessed, light and joyful week ahead.
Photo by Mr. Vigie Ongleo somewhere in Colorado, 03 June 2026.
Lord My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II Friday in the Thirteenth Week of Ordinary Time, Year II Feast of St. Thomas, Apostle, 03 July 2026 Ephesians 2:19-22 <*{{{{>< + ><}}}}*> John 20:24-29
Photo of painting by Caravaggio, “The Incredulity of Thomas” via wikipedia.commons.org.
Thank you, dear Jesus for this first Friday in July 2026, the feast of your Apostle Thomas called Didymus: some say due to his having the twin of faith and doubt but most likely also our very own twin because like him, deep within us are many "dark places" that need to be enlightened by your light.
Thomas called Didymus, one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. so the other disciples said to him, “We have seen the Lord.” But Thomas said to them, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger into the nail marks and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” Now a week later, disciples were again inside and Thomas was with them. Jesus came, although the doors were locked, and stood in their midst and said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands, and bring your hand and put it into my side, and do not be unbelieving, but believe.” Thomas answered and said to him, “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:24-28)
Every day you also come to us, Lord Jesus amid the many darkness around us, often in our locked doors of doubts and disbelief, cynicism and pessimism, grief and hopelessness; many times we think we infer we rationalize that your Resurrection and presence are just too good to be true!
So many things within us resist a faith too easy to claim or put into effect just to believe you; enlighten the many "dark places" within us that we have become so skeptical these days: our government and church are just like so similarly plagued with corruption and evil that are sadly allowed or tolerated, justice utterly lacking with evil doers seem to be more favored than law-abiding ones with all these persisting because many are oblivious to the darkness and disorder going on.
Where are you, Jesus in all of our mess in life as individuals, as a nation, as a church, as a family that we most often doubt than believe?
Photo by author, St. Michael Retreat House, Antipolo City, 16 June 2026.
Guide my hand,
lead my finger into your
wounds,
dear Jesus
that I may experience
you Risen;
let me experience your
coming and loving presence
amid our darkness
and woundedness;
let me not seek you
Jesus in spectacular things
in feel-good situations
but like Thomas
in touching your wounds
in that dark room
be enlivened with your
inner light of peace
and assurance that
more than your miracle
of rising from the dead
is the reality of living,
of life coming out
from real death.
Grant me that spark of
faith like in Thomas
while touching your wounds,
Lord Jesus
so that a glimmer of hope
within me may finally glow
and grow as I follow you,
my Lord and
my God.
Amen.
Lawiswis ng Salita ni P. Nicanor F. Lalog II, Ika-2 ng Hulyo 2026
Painting ni James Tissot, “The Palsied ManLet Down through the Roof” mula sa brooklynmuseum.org.
Marami na akong napakinggang kuwento kahawig nitong nasa ebanghelyo isang paralitikong nakaratay sa kanyang higaan buhat-buhat ng apat na kaibigan; nakamamangha sinabi at ginawa ni Jesus sa paralitiko lakasan kanyang loob at pinatatawad na kanyang mga kasalanan.
Pagmasdan paanong nadama at natanto ni Jesus bigat na dala-dala ng paralitikong nakaratay sa kanyang higaan buhat naman ng mga kaibigan.
Tayo ang paralitikong pinatawad at pinagaling; nakaratay sa banig, paralisado, hindi makagalaw, nakabilanggo sa maraming takot at pangamba bunsod ng mga nakaraang pagkakasala at pagkakamali; hindi makausad hindi makahakbang pasulong sa buhay, nananatili sa kahapon at madilim na nakaraan kaya hindi mabanaagan liwanag sa kapaligiran sariling kagagawan kanyang pagkaparalisa na sadyang napakabigat kaya kapatawaran sa kanyang kasalanan iginawad at binitiwan ni Jesus.
Kay gandang pagmasdan eksena at larawan kung paanong binakbak ng kanyang mga kaibigan bubong ng bahay upang paralitiko ay maihugos sa tapat ng kinaroonan ni Jesus: isang paghahayag ng katotohanan sa ating mga naparalisa sa hindi mapatawad na kasalanan, hindi malampasang kabiguan at kamalian o kasawian sa nakaraan kinakailangang magpakababa tanggapin kamalian at kasalanan upang maranasan kapatawaran at kapanatilihan ni Jesus na ating Tagapagligtas. (Tingnan Mt.9:1-8; Mk.2:1-12; at Lk.5:17-26)
Illustration from parentandchildbiblereading.com.
Sa kabilang dako naman,
akin din napakinggan
maraming kuwento at hinaing
ng mga katulad nitong
apat na kaibigan
na bumubuhat sa higaan
ng paralitiko:
Katulad nilang apat,
tayo man ay mayroong binubuhat
na paralitiko,
isang pasanin
alagain
at intindihin
kung inyong mamarapatin
at ipagpapaumanhin
ngunit iyon ang masaklap na
katotohanang dapat nating tanggapin
at lunukin;
Diyos ay nagagalak
tiyak nagpapasalamat
sa mga kaibigan
kapatid at kaanak
buhat-buhat paralitikong
nakaratay sa banig
manhid
at walang pakialam
sa pasanin ng mga
nagmamahal sa kanya;
nagagalit,
naiinis,
hindi lang minsan
nakaisip na sumuko
at lisanin,
bitiwan buhat na paralitiko
ngunit pinili pa rin
tiisin
at manatili
sa pasanin
dahil na rin sa busilak
ng kanilang loobin.
“The Paralytic of Capernaum Lowered from the Roof”, a 5th/6th century Mosaic at Sant’ Apollinare Nuovo, Ravenna, Italy; from christian.art.
Kung ikaw ang binubuhat na paralitiko, gumising sa katotohanan ikaw ay minamahal at pinahahalagahan huwag na hintayin pamilya at kaibigan ikaw ay tuluyang iwanan!
Kung ikaw ang nagbubuhat sa paralitiko, pagsumakitan mo na kanyang kalagayan mahirap gisingin nagtutulug-tulugan; iyong pagmamalasakit at pagmamahal hindi man kilalanin at suklian sa buhay na ito, hahantong pa rin ito sa iyong kapakanan at kabutihan dahil si Jesus palaging kapiling at kasama natin pinagagaan ating mga pasanin.
“Lumapit kayo sa akin, kayong lahat na napapagal at nabibigatan sa inyong pasanin, at kayo’y pagpapahingahin ko. Pasanin ninyo aking pamatok, at mag-aral kayo sa akin; ako’y maamo at mababang-loob, at makasusumpong kayo ng kapahingahan para sa inyong kaluluwa. Sapagkat maginhawang dalhin ang aking pamatok, at magaan ang pasaning ibibigay ko sa inyo.” (Mt.11:28-30)
Larawan kuha ng may-akda, St. Michael Retreat House, Antipolo City, 16 Hunyo 2026.
Lord My Chef Daily Recipe by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II Thursday in the Thirteenth Week of Ordinary Time, Year II, 02 July 2026 Amos 7:10-17 ><]]]]'> + ><]]]]'> + ><]]]]'> Matthew 9:1-8
Illustration from parentandchildbiblereading.com.
Dearest Lord Jesus,
today I pray for the many among us
carrying so much weight on their
shoulders,
those depressed,
those feeling unforgiven
or worthless -
heal them, Lord.
Make them realize there is
always a chance to change for
the better in you.
Clear their minds
and hearts of doubts
and mistrust on others
especially those who genuinely
love and care for them but
they feel are against them.
Like that paralytic,
relieve those still carrying
the burden of past mistakes and sin
that have paralyzed them,
trapped them that they could
not move on with life.
May they have the courage
to stand up
and walk free.
How amazing,
dear Jesus,
that you noticed the man lying
on the mat was the one burdened with
past sins; so lovely to realize how
nothing escapes you, Jesus:
the friends of the paralytic
were the ones carrying,
exerting effort to bring the paralytic
yet you knew for sure it was
actually the paralytic burdened
not his friends.
Likewise,
we pray for the countless
family and friends of those paralytics
overburdened with sin and worries
who patiently carry them;
shower them with blessings in
their perseverance in putting up with
a loved one like that paralytic -
unappreciative of other's care and
concern for them
so that one day,
they may look at their message
of love and understanding
and not see them as enemies.
Amen.
Photo by author, Cabo de Roca, Pundaquit, San Antonio, Zambales, 15 June 2025.
Lord My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II Wednesday in the thirteenth Week of Ordinary Time, Year II, 01 July 2026 Amos 5:14-15, 21-24 <*{{{{>< + ><}}}}*> Matthew 8:28-34
Photo by author, Hidden Valley Springs Resort, Calauan, Laguna, January 2025.
"... then let justice surge like water, and goodness like an unfailing stream." (Amos 5:24)
Your words, O God are so timely: how sad nobody seems to care anymore with each one's welfare; worse of all, even religion is twisted and bent by some to fool a great number of followers so bent on evil too, blinded from truth and justice; when are they going to think of the good of the ordinary folks? when shall they think more of the little ones trying to make ends meet? when shall they care for those looking after their sick family members? when shall they ever start truly worshipping God by seeking him who is all good, not evil?
Lord Jesus Christ, help us to have the same grace and confidence you have in confronting the demoniacs in Gadarenes for there are too many demons these days in our streets like EDSA; they are so violent and insanely volatile, without any sense of sanity and reason at all; like the swineherds in the gospel, they give more importance to "pigs" than to persons, to their cult leaders than to Jesus Christ.
May we always seek you, Jesus in the simplest things and occasions and people so that we avoid evil. Amen.
Photo by author, Hidden Valley Springs Resort, Calauan, Laguna, January 2025.
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