Lord My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II Thursday, Fifth Week in Ordinary Time, Year II, 12 February 2026 1 Kings 11:4-13 ><))))*> + ><))))*> + ><))))*> Mark 7:24-30
Photo by author, Mt. St. Paul Retreat House, La Trinidad, Benguet, February 2020.
Lord Jesus Christ, help me find my way back home to you again; I am like King Solomon at this stage: lost and empty, confused despite being wise in world's standards; like Solomon, I have been ruled by my emotions and many other considerations as I rationalise everything that have all led me to sin and bad behavior; grant me O Lord Jesus that wisdom found in your way of the Cross where truth and goodness reign.
Lord Jesus Christ, grant me humility that leads to intimacy in you wherein I find my true place in life and in society like that Syrophoenician woman who begged you to heal her daughter; what a beautiful image of your love for us, finding us, going where we are; how blessed are we like that pagan woman who recognized you, Jesus, passing through a foreign land!
Help us regain the wisdom of Solomon of knowing and doing what is true and good while remaining humble and sincere like the Syrophoenician woman. Amen.
Photo by author, Mt. St. Paul Retreat House, La Trinidad, Benguet, February 2020.
Lawiswis ng Salita ni P. Nicanor F. Lalog II, Ika-11 ng Pebrero 2026
Larawan kuha ni Arkitek Philip Santiago, Lourdes, France, Oktubre 2025.
Isa sa mga turo sa amin ni Bp. Almario (+) noong kami ay mga seminarista pa ay huwag na huwag daw kaming maglalagay sa pintuan ng aming silid kapag naging pari na ng “Do not disturb” sign.
Paliwanag niya sa amin ay buhay ng mga pari ang palaging maistorbo at magambala lalo na kung mayroong may-sakit at naghihingalo ano mang oras gaya ng hating-gabi at madaling-araw.
Naalala ko ang turo niyang iyon noong Lunes sa aking homilya tungkol sa ebanghelyo na si Hesus ay “inistorbo” ng mga tao nang tumawid ng lawa at dumaong sila sa Capernaum.
Larawan kuha ng may-akda, Lawa ng Galilea, Israel, Mayo 2017.
Noong panahong iyon, sina Hesus at ang kanyang mga alagad ay tumawid ng lawa, at pagdating sa Genesaret ay isinadsad nila ang bangka. Paglunsad nila, nakilala siya agad ng mga tao kaya’t nagmamadaling nilibot ng mga ito ang mga pook sa paligid; at ang mga maysakit, na nakaratay na sa higaan ay dinala nila kay Hesus, saanman nila mabalitaang naroon siya. At saanman siya dumating, maging sa nayon, lungsod, o kabukiran, ay dinadala sa liwasan ang mga maysakit, at isinasamo sa kanya na pahipuin sila kahit man lang sa palawit ng kanyang kasuutan. At lahat ng makahipo nito ay gumagaling (Marcos 6:53-56).
Imagine natin ang eksenang ito: ni hindi na nakapagpahinga man lang si Hesus pagdating sa Capernaum. Ni hindi niya nakuhang bumuwelo. Agad-agad Siya na sumama sa mga tao. Kung ano man mga plano Niya marahil noong mga araw na iyon ay Kanyang ipinagpaliban para sa mga tao, lalo na sa mga may-sakit.
At iyon naman ang totoo kay Hesus – palagi Siyang may panahon sa bawat isa sa atin. Kaya nga hindi naman Siya pumapalag sa mga humihipo sa Kanyang damit upang gumaling sa kanilang mga sakit. Kailanman ay hindi pinigilan ni Hesus mga tao na siya ay istorbohin upang magpagaling, mangaral at magpaliwanag. Minsan nga ay inaya niya Kanyang mga alagad tumungo sa ilang na pook upang mamahinga ngunit wala Siyang nagawa kungdi ang maawa nang makita Niya na nauna pang dumating sa kanila ang mga tao na parang mga “tupang walang pastol” kaya tinuruan Niya at pinagaling mga may-sakit. At pagkaraan ay pinakain pa!
Napaka-gandang katangian ni Hesus ang kanyang pagtugon sa mga pang-aabala lalo ng mga may-sakit at naghihingalo. Ito marahil ang kaganapan ng ating panalanging “disturb me Lord” sapagkat tunay tayo nagagambala ng Panginoon tuwing kinakilanga at pinaglilingkuran natin ang mga may-sakit at maging iba pang mga nahihirapan sa buhay.
Larawan kuha ni Arkitek Philip Santiago, Lourdes, France, Oktubre 2025.
Kaya naman tuwing ginugunita ang Birhen ng Lourdes sa ika-11 ng Pebrero, atin ring ipinagdiriwang ang Pandaigdigang Araw ng mga May-Sakit. Bantog ang maraming himala ng kagalingan sa pamamagitan ng pamimintuho sa Birhen ng Lourdes. Itinuturing din na mapaghimala ang bukal ng tubig doon sa Lourdes, France na ipinahukay ng Mahal na Birhen sa pinagpakitaan niyang bata noon na ngayon ay Santa na, si St. Bernadette Soubirous.
Itinakda ni San Juan Pablo II noong Mayo 13, 1992 at isinabay sa kapistahan ng Lourdes ang World Day of the Sick upang aniya ay “ating makita sa mga may-sakit ang mukha ni Kristo na sa Kanyang pagpapakasakit, pagkamatay at muling pagkabuhay ay natamo ang kaligtasan ng sangkatauhan.”
Bakit nga ba gayon na lamang ang pagpapahalaga ng Diyos sa mga may-sakit? Dahil lang ba sa sila’y mahihina at walang halos magagawa kaya kailangan nating tulungan at kalingain?
Maraming dahilan ang ating maiisip na pawang mga patungkol sa mga may-sakit dahil nga sa sila ay mahihina, maraming tinitiis at iniindang hirap sa kanilang karamdaman.
Ngunit, marahil hindi sumagi sa ating isipan ang malaking pagpapala na hatid sa atin ng mga may-sakit dahil sa pamamagitan nila ay ating nakikita, nararanasan pagliligtas ni Kristo. Gaya ng sinabi ni San Juan Pablo II, sa kanila ating nakikita ang mukha ni Kristo na nagligtas sa atin sa pamamagitan ng Kanyang pagpapasakit, pagkamatay at muling pagkabuhay.
Tatlong katotohanan aking napagtanto na biyayang binabahagi sa atin ng mga may-sakit at naghihingalo.
Mula sa inquirer.net.
Personal nating nararanasan si Hesus sa mga may-sakit.
Tunay lamang nating masasabing “Katawan ni Kristo” ang Banal na Ostiya kung nahawakan natin ang maruming sugat at balat ng isang may-sakit, o naglinis at nagpaligo sa may-sakit. Higit itong totoo kapag pamilya natin ang may sakit na inaalagaan at kinakalinga.
May mga pagkakataong tuwing konsekrasyon habang binibigkas ko yung mga sinabi at ginawa ni Hesus sa Huling Hapunan (institution narrative) saka dumarating sa aking gunita mga pasyente na aking hinawakan, hinipo… o nilinisan. Namamangha ako sa biyaya na nagawa ko lahat yun gayong mahina aking sikmura (sabi po ng aking Ina noong nabubuhay pa siya, sa lahat daw ng matakaw ako mahina ang sikmura!).
Mahirap ipaliwanag ni ilarawan aking nadarama sa mga pagkakataon na iyon madalas ako ay naluluha, parang may daluyong sa aking dibdib na biglang gagaan at ang tanging nasasabi ko ay basta ganun yun! Totoo nga sabi ni San Juan Pablo II na ating nakikita mukha ni Kristo sa may-sakit. Ito marahil ay sapagkat sila man nakikita na si Kristo.
Ang mga may-sakit pinaka-malapit kay Kristo.
Sa Ebanghelyo ayon kay San Lukas, tiniyak ni Hesus kay Dimas na “ngayon din isasama kita sa paraiso” (23:43). Hindi sinabi ni Hesus na mamyang alas-tres pagkamatay ko o sa Linggo sa aking pagkabuhay. Ang sinabi ni Hesus ay ngayon din habang sila ay nakabayubay sa krus.
Alalaong-baga, sa pangungusap na iyon ni Hesus, inilalahad niya sa atin ang katotohanan na ang pintuan ng langit ay narito mismo sa lupang ibabaw. Higit sa lahat, pumapasok tayo sa langit kapag tayo naroon sa krus ng pagtitiis at paghihirap. Kaya hindi kataka-taka na natatanaw na ng mga may-sakit at mga naghihingalo ang langit na kanilang pupuntahan maging si Kristo na kanilang hahantungan.
Aking napansin sa marami kong pasyente na naihanda sa pagpanaw, mayroon tila “cycle” na sila at ang mga bantay na pinagdaraanan. Una, yung pasyente ang palaging umiiyak dahil takot o galit sa kanilang sinapit. Sino nga ba hindi matatakot at maiiyak kung malaman mo na mamatay ka na dahil sa iyong sakit.
Ngunit unti-unti habang kanilang natatanggap ang kanilang kalagayan at karamdaman, naiiba ang sitwasyon: ang mga may-sakit ang puno ng tuwa at sigla at lakas ng loob habang ang mga mahal sa buhay ang bagabag at naiiyak. Ito marahil ay sapagkat natatanaw na nga ng mga may-sakit kanilang tutunguhan lalo na kung sila ay naihanda o nakapaghandang mabuti spiritually. Hindi na sila umiiyak dahil batid nilang mas mabuti ang kanilang pupuntahan. Ang mga naiiwan ang kinakabahan at umiiyak dahil walang katiyakan silang nakikita sa buhay. Paano na kapag pumanaw na si itay o si inay o sino mang mahal natin sa buhay? Paano tayo? Hindi natin alam ano susunod sa buhay natin di tulad ng papanaw na sigurado na ang langit!
Larawan kuha ng may-akda, Basilika ng Manaoag, Pangasinan, 09 Enero 2026.
Napaka-buti ng Diyos.
Kumbinsido ako lalo ngayon mula nang maging chaplain ako sa ospital na napaka-buti ng Diyos, na mahal na mahal niya tayong lahat. Nakatitiyak ako na mas marami pa rin ang nasa langit kesa nasa impiyerno.
Hanggang sa kahuli-hulihan, ibig ng Diyos tayo ay masagip kaya nga naparito Kanyang Anak na si Jesu-Kristo. Ang tanging napupunta lang sa impiyerno ay yaong sadyang ayaw sa Diyos.
Madalas sinasabi sa akin ng mga duktor at nurse dito sa ospital ay “Father hinitay lang po kayo ng pasyente bago pumanaw.” Kasi nga bihirang-bihira mga pumapanaw na pasyente na hindi ko napupuntahan. Ako mismo ay nagtataka: kapag wala ako, walang naghihingalo? At kung mayroon man, palaging inaabutan ko pa kahit na anong layo pa aking panggalingan! Gayun din kung hatinggabi o madaling-araw: nagigising ako maski sa text ng mga nurse kung mayroong mag-request ng pagpapahid ng langis.
Sadyang mabuti ang Diyos at mahal Niya tayong lahat na hindi Siya tatawag ng sino man kung hindi naman sa Kanya uuwi at hihimlay.
Larawan kuha ng may-akda, Chapel of angel of Peace, Our Lady of Fatima University, Marso 2025.
Sa loob ng limang taong pagiging kapelyan ko sa Fatima University Medical Center sa Valenzuela, naranasan ko maraming pagpapala mula sa mga dinadalaw na pasyente na nagpalalim at nagpayabong sa aking katauhan hindi lamang sa aking pagkapari.
Dahil sa kanila, lalong naging makahulugan at makatotohanan sa akin ang bawat pagdiriwang ng Banal na Eukaristiya kung saan tunay na tunay ngang dumarating si Hesus sa Kanyang Katawan at Dugo.
Totoong nakakapagod ang dumalaw lalo na ang mag-alaga ng may-sakit ngunit mayroong ibang kagaanan ng kalooban itong hatid sa ating katauhan na sagad hanggang ating budhi. Kaya nga, sakali mang pakiramdam natin tayo ay nagagambala o naiistorbo ng mga may-sakit sa kanilang pangangailangan, nawa ating ituring ang mga pagkakataong iyon ay mismong ang Panginoong Hesus nag-aanyaya sa atin ng Kanyang pagpapala na Siya ay maranasan at maka-ugnayan. Amen.
Lord My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II Wednesday, Memorial of Our Lady of Lourdes & World Day of Sick, 11 February 2026 Isaiah 66:10-14 ><}}}}*> + ><}}}}*> + ><}}}}*> John 2:1-11
Photo by Architect Philip Santiago, Lourdes, France, October 2025.
Praise and glory to you O God, our loving and merciful Father who has given us a wonderful and most kind Mother in Mary the Blessed Virgin through Jesus Christ your Son.
From the beginning since Jesus Christ began his ministry to our present time, the Blessed Virgin Mary has always been with Jesus showing us your great signs of presence, of generosity, and of life first anticipated at the wedding feast at Cana.
On the third day there was a wedding in Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the wedding. When the wine ran short, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” Jesus said to her, “Woman, how does your concern affect me? My hour has not yet come.” His mother said to the servers, “Do whatever he tells you.” Jesus told them, “Fill the jars with water” (John 2:1-5, 7).
Photo by Architect Philip Santiago, Lourdes, France, October 2025.
How wonderful to recall and meditate on this first miracle of Jesus of turning water into wine at the wedding feast at Cana through the intercession of his Mother, the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Through Mary, your abundant blessings, O God, have continued to overflow upon us even after she is now with you and Jesus as Queen of heaven and earth.
How true were your words to the Prophet Isaiah that you shall send Israel a mother who shall comfort us, a mother in whom you shall spread prosperity and blessings (Isaiah 66:10-14).
How lovely that more than 1800 years after Cana, another miracle happened anew using the same element of water through Mary in Lourdes, France; how amazing in both Cana and Lourdes, Jesus asserted water as the primordial element of life and symbol of humanity; most amazing Lord Jesus that since that miracle at Cana, your life continues to overflow upon us through Mary your Mother and our Mother too in Lourdes, France.
Photo by Architect Philip Santiago, Lourdes, France, October 2025.
Like the servers at Cana, Mary told the young St. Bernadette at Lourdes to dig on earth so water may burst forth as spring, like life coming out of the womb of the earth; until now, that spring has been the source of many healings and other miracles among generations of peoples from all walks of life and nations; these waters of Lourdes remain as symbols of fruitfulness and of healing, of maternity in Mary who cares most to us and the sick in Jesus our Savior.
Give us the grace, dear Jesus the gifts of purity and cleanliness in our hearts so that we may become like Mary at Cana and Lourdes, a vessel of your healing and compassion especially for the sick of the world.
Grant us, dear Jesus, the gift of listening and docility like the servers in Cana and St. Bernadette in Lourdes to always "do whatever you tell us." Amen.
Photo by Architect Philip Santiago, Lourdes, France, October 2025.
Lord My Chef Daily Recipe for Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II Tuesday, Memorial of St. Scholastica, Virgin, 10 February 2026 1 Kings 8:22-23, 27-30 ><]]]]’> + ><]]]]’> + ><]]]]’> Mark 7:1-13
Photo by author, Museo de Valenzuela’s replica of “Arkong Bato” with the pointed facade of the National Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima as background, 21 January 2026.
How true were the words of your great King and Servant Solomon, O God our mighty Father, that nothing like "the heavens and the highest heavens" can contain you much less the temple he had built or anything that we have in this time; yet, you have promised us to hear our prayers when we come to pray to you, to call on you in temples and churches human hands have made that are not enough to have you.
Forgive us, Lord, when we try to "contain" you, "keep" you in specific places not just churches and temples and oratories; most of all, forgive us, Lord, when we lack the reverence and intimacy we must have with you when inside the church and other sacred places; Jesus' words in today's gospel cuts us to the heart of our hypocrisies, "This people honors me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me; in vain do they worship me, teachings as doctrines human precepts" (Mark 7:6).
O dear Jesus present in the Blessed Tabernacle, empty me of my pride so that You may reign in my heart always. Amen.
Photo by author, Chapel of the Carmel of the Holy Family Monastery, Guiguinto, Bulacan, 23 January 2026.
Lord My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II Monday, Fifth Week in Ordinary Time, Year II, 09 February 2026 1 Kings 8:1-7, 9-13 <*((((>< + ><))))*> Mark 6:53-56
Photo by author, Minor Basilica of Our Lady of Manaoag, Pangasinan, 09 January 2026.
God our loving Father, your words today in the first reading and gospel are both quick-paced, everything seemed to happened so fast: the arrival and enthronement of the Ark of the Covenant in the Temple of Jerusalem and of people rushing to Jesus at Gennesaret after crossing the lake of Galilee.
Both scenes are exactly like my life today - everything is happening so fast and I feel left behind, tired and exhausted; if I could just touch Jesus Christ's cloak to be healed, to be comforted, to be renewed.
When the priests left the holy place, the cloud filled the temple of the Lord so that the priests could no longer minister because of the cloud, since the Lord’s glory had filled the temple of the Lord. Then Solomon said, “The Lord intends to dwell in the dark cloud; I have truly built you a princely house, a dwelling where you may abide forever” (1Kings 8:10-13).
The dark clouds remain above me, Jesus and thank you for staying, for remaining in me; thank you, Jesus, for being close to us, for allowing yourself to be interrupted by our many concerns that we can touch you like in Genessaret where people lived freely and joyfully regardless of their faith and culture as they were simply present in each moment like when you crossed over the lake and allowed yourself to be interrupted even led by them; teach me to be true to myself like those in Genessaret expressing to you my desires not just what I want; let me be present with you as you are present in me each day. Amen.
Photo by author, Minor Basilica of Our Lady of Manaoag, Pangasinan, 09 January 2026.
Lord My Chef Sunday Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle A, 08 February 2026 Isaiah 58:7-10 ><}}}}*> 1 Corinthians 2:1-5 ><}}}}*> Matthew 5:13-16
Photo by author, Carmelite Monastery, Guiguinto, Bulacan, 22 January 2026.
We continue today Jesus Christ’s Sermon on the Mount that started last Sunday when he called “Blessed” are the poor in spirt, those who mourn, the meek, the hungry and thirsty for righteousness, the merciful, the clean of heart, the peacemakers, those persecuted and insulted falsely.
These blessed ones are not different kinds of persons but every disciple of Jesus Christ who is the truly Blessed One who is poor and meek, hungry and thirsty, merciful and clean of heart. Blessedness is an inner disposition, a being than doing.
And so this Sunday, Jesus reminds his disciples that include us today, of our dignity and responsibility in being blessed, as if telling us, “Blessed are you… You are the salt of the earth… You are the light of the world.”
We whom Jesus called “blessed” already possess the kingdom but in a hidden manner; that is why we as his disciples must make it shine upon the world in our lives, in our witnessing especially in this age that has turned away from God and holiness.
Jesus said to his disciples: “You are the salt of the earth… You are the light of the world. A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket; it is set on a lampstand, where it gives light to all in the house. Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father” (Matthew 5:13, 14-16).
Last February two we celebrated the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord at the Temple that is also known as Candlemass or Candelaria where Simeon recognized the Child Jesus as the “light of the nations”.
It is one of the beautiful feasts we have with the blessing and lighting of candles outside the church; then, led by the priest, the people enter the church with lighted candles to signify Jesus Christ as our only light and fulfillment in this life.
Jesus asserts that this Sunday. The Bible itself teems with so many references of God being the source of light with Israel as bearer of that light. This explains our first reading today from the Prophet Isaiah:
Then your light shall break forth like the dawn, and your wound shall quickly be healed; your vindication shall go before you, and the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard. Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer, you shall cry for help, and he will say: Here I am! If you remove from your midst oppression, false accusations and malicious speech; if you bestow your bread on the hungry and satisfy the afflicted; then light shall rise for you in the darkness, and the gloom shall become for you like midday” (Isaiah 58:8-10).
So beautiful! And what a prophecy fulfilled in Christ that continues to happen today among us, his blessed ones as disciples!
To be a Christian especially nowadays is to be the bearer of the light of Christ, to illumine the darkness among us especially in this world that has become so fascinated with artificial lights like studio lights that emphasize and focus on men and women, on their fame and glory and wealth. How ironic that the more artificial lights we flood the world these days, the darker life becomes with more crimes, more abuses, and more emptiness and meaninglessness within us.
Photo by author, Mt. St. Paul ?Retreat House, La Trinidad, Benguet, January 2025.
Bringing the light of Christ, sharing his light is being holy, being good, being a blessed one, doing what is right, what is true, what is good as Isaiah reminded the people in the first reading.
Bringing the light of Christ, sharing his light is sharing Jesus to the world that we become the God’s answer to the cries and pleas of his people for mercy and justice, for healing and comfort.
Hence, bringing the light of Christ, sharing his light is actually to bring out Jesus within us who had come to us sacramentally in Baptism and continues to come to us in the Sacraments especially the Holy Eucharist we celebrate on Sundays.
Problem is we keep on hiding Jesus within us. This is why he calls us not to hide him like a lamp placed under a bushel basket but let him be like a lampstand that illumines the house.
We are the light of Jesus Christ who shines before others with our good deeds that make God known to others. Not the other way around. Young people call them as “performative” like performative couple, performative student or performative employee. They are all performance, all for the show or the content. Puro palabas, walang paloob kaya walang laman. These are the very ones that Jesus warned to “take care not to perform righteous deeds in order that people may see them” (Mt. 6:1) which we shall hear soon in Lent.
How sad that many people today have become “performative” – pakitang-tao as we say in Filipino who would go to great extent of publicizing everything they say and do like many of the so-called content creators and vloggers. This is most painfully true in the Church of priests and laypeople posting in social media everything they do or “perform” that are always empty of meaning and any sense at all.
Bringing the light of Christ, sharing his light always leads to God’s glory, not to us humans.
Let us keep in our hearts the words of St. Paul today in our second reading:
When I came to you, brothers and sisters, proclaiming the mystery of God, I did not come with sublimity of words or of wisdom. For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ, and him crucified (1 Corinthians 2:1-2).
Photo by Architect Philip C. Santiago, Basilica of the Annunciation, Nazareth, Israel, October 2025.
Being the light of Christ in the world is to bring Jesus Christ himself, not ourselves. It is being one in Jesus in his Cross where there is more of inner fulfillment and joy than mere success and happiness.
Being the light of Christ in the world is more than having all those quotable quotes and lofty proses and poetry nor of those grand plans and visions and programs left on paper but never materialized in reality.
Bringing the light of Christ in the world is being wounded and scarred by the Cross, always fading from the light so that only Jesus remains.
Like John the Baptist his Precursor, may his words be our prayer always: “Jesus must increase and I must decrease. Amen. Have an enlightening and illumining week ahead brothers and sisters in Christ!
Lord My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II Friday, St. Pedro Bautista & Companion Martyrs in Japan, 06 February 2026 Sirach 47:2-11 ><))))*> + ><))))*> + ><))))*> Mark 6:14-19
Photo by author, sunrise in San Juan, La Union, 09 January 2026.
How easy it is for many of us to believe in the existence of a "parallel universe" existing with our own universe that is a part of a larger "multiverse" than seeing our lives in the light of Jesus Christ.
Thank you dear God in sending John the Baptist the Precursor of the Lord, the first to suffer, the first to die for what is true, what is good and what is just; I can't help notice the many parallelisms in his life and in Jesus Christ that all indicate your immense love for us, dear God.
Help us realize these parallelisms are the only ones we can hold on with ourselves: our lives and mission are always in parallel with Jesus inasmuch as we have to share in his passion, death and resurrection; keep our hearts open always to your prompts and coming, Lord Jesus, so we may proclaim and make you known with others in our witnessing to your gospel; most of all, cleanse our hearts and purify us like King David who despite his many grave sins against you was forgiven and more remembered as one who loved God so much.
As we commemorate the memorial of the martyred Franciscan and Jesuit missionaries in Japan led by San Pedro Bautista and St. Paul Miki, strengthen us like them in our firm resolve to stand by our Catholic faith especially in this age of indifference and antagonisms against what is moral and virtuous; may we find parallelisms in our calls and mission from Jesus Christ. Amen.
Photo by author, sunrise at Mt. Arayat in Pampanga, 31 January 2026.
Lord My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II Thursday, Memorial of St. Agatha, Virgin & Martyr, 05 February 2026 1 Kings 2:1-4, 10-12 <*((((>< + ><))))*> Mark 6:7-13
Photo by author, Taiwan, 15 February 2019.
Thank you, dear God our loving Father for the gift of freedom we often misinterpret as doing whatever pleases us; the prophets and kings of Old Testament like David before his death reminded everyone to remain faithful to you, O God, to always choose you and your ways and commandments but since then until now, we abuse our freedom and still refuse to choose what is good, refusing to follow and obey you, O God.
When the time of David’s death drew near, he gave these instructions to his son Solomon: “I am going the way of all flesh. Take courage and be a man. Keep the mandate of the Lord, your God, following his ways and observing his statutes, commands, ordinances, and decrees as they are written in the law of Moses, that you may succeed in whatever you do, wherever you turn, and the Lord may fulfill the promise he made on my behalf….” (1 Kings 2:1-4).
We know what happened with Solomon and the rest of all their kings with a few exceptions: they all turned away from you, O God that disaster fell on them not as your punishment but as consequences of their abuse of freedom; teach us in Jesus Christ who had come to show us the way to true freedom by choosing you, O God, doing your will, doing and being good by being faithful.
How wonderful, O God, that despite our abuse of freedom, you have remained faithful to us, loving us, forgiving us like King David, and still calling us to follow you in Christ Jesus; let us trust you more by choosing you and your ways, letting go of our baggage and other false securities so we can travel light and preach effectively, totally free and faithful to you through others.
Through the intercession of St. Agatha who witnessed Christ and his gospel at a very young age, may we have the courage to remain true to your call and teachings. Amen.
Photo by author, Mt. St. Paul Retreat House, La Trinidad, Benguet, February 2020.
Lord My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II Wednesday, Fourth Week in Ordinary Time, Year II, 04 February 2026 2 Samuel 24:2, 9-17 <*((((>< + ><))))*> Mark 6:1-6
Photo by author, Sakura trees in Taiwan, February 2019.
God our loving and merciful Father: teach us today to have the courage and most of all the maturity not only to say sorry when we have sinned and erred but most especially to admit and own our sins and mistakes like King David in today's first reading.
When David saw the angel who was striking the people, he said to the Lord: “It is I who have sinned; it is I, the shepherd, who have done wrong. But these are sheep; what have they done? Punish me and my kindred” (2 Samuel 24:17).
Teach us to grow in Jesus, dear Father because for as long as we are blinded by our greatness we measure in our stature and income, accomplishments and accolades, we shall always be like King David in the first reading believing only in our selves, hiding in so many ways like census the subtle arrogance that rules our lives, forgetting or disregarding your grace and mercy in our achievements in life that when things go wrong, we blame others and point fingers at everyone except our selves.
Let us be true and sincere dear Jesus today to find where we put our security in our day to day living so that we may also find where you, O God, sad to say, "fit" into our lives due to our lack of faith in you. Amen.
Quiet Storm by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II, 03 February 2026
Photo by author, 31 January 2026.
One of the Christmas gifts I have received last year was a scented candle personally made by one of our nurses who accompanies me in visiting our patients on Sundays.
Though I had already thanked her when she handed me her gift last Christmas, I had to thank her again last Sunday because I had it unboxed only recently. Most of all, because I loved it so much as I light candles on my altar when praying.
Yesterday was the Feast of the Presentation of Jesus to the Temple (February 2) also known as the Feast of the Candlemass wherein candles were blessed outside the church after which the people led by the priest enters to begin the Mass in a procession with lighted candles.
Candlemass is a beautiful celebration, especially when done properly by priests. Its origin dates back to more than 1500 years ago in France where it started when people incorporated the blessing of candles into the Feast of the Presentation then known with its Eastern title as “the Encounter” to refer to how Simeon with the Prophetess Anna met the child Jesus being offered by his parents Joseph and Mary to the temple 40 days after Christmas.
According to St. Luke, Simeon sang the following upon meeting the child Jesus Christ.
“Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in sight of all the peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel” (Luke 2:29-32).
In proclaiming Jesus Christ as the “light” of salvation for the nations, the early French Christians thought of having the blessing of candles and procession of lighted candles to signify Jesus as the only and true light of the world. Hence, it came to be known also as “Candlemass” or Candelaria in the Spanish-speaking countries.
Although candles are no longer used as a major source of lighting in homes and other places, it is still used in almost all churches, monasteries and other houses of worship around the world, gaining a renewed popularity lately among the younger generation. It is a most welcomed development in our modern time as more and more people are rediscovering the need for spiritual growth of whatever label. And right in the midst of this is the candle as a tool for better prayer periods.
Unfortunately, this beautiful tradition of the candles is dying in our country. How ironic that we who belong to the Third World have switched to electric vigil lamps and candles while those in the First World still use the traditional candles in their homes and churches.
Photo by author, Jerusalem, April 2017.
How I envy churches in North America and Europe with their plethora of all kinds of candles used and sold even in the simplest churches and stores! During a Holy Land pilgrimage in the 2017 Easter Season, one of the things I appreciated and admired next to the pilgrim sites were the lovely and regal designs of paschal candles in the churches we visited that made me wonder why nobody makes them here in our predominantly Catholic country.
Candles have always have a special place in the life of our faith and the Church since its early beginnings. From the Latin words candere and candela that mean “to shine”, it evolved into the Middle and Old English words candele and candel.
Aside from lighting the gatherings of the early Christians especially in the catacombs to evade arrests during the persecution, candles have always been used to signify Christ as the light of the world guiding our paths as Christians in every celebration, from Baptism to Weddings and Funerals.
Candles do not only make rooms shine but most especially the souls and the hearts of those who cultivate a prayer life. It has that unique warmth that can soothe and calm those who are agitated or worried with life’s many trials and challenges.
Every time we light a candle during prayer periods, our inner selves are made brighter as they evoke in us so much feelings of the Divine presence. Their little lights that flicker remind us of our feeble selves whose life could be easily snuffed out with a single blow.
The scent of burning candle permeates our senses, calming us within, inviting us to leave all our worries in life as we lay our cards out in the open to God. A candles warmth can dissolve every hardness within us, purifying us within and becoming empty and open for God’s grace to work in us.
Photo by author, Mt. St. Paul Retreat House, La Trinidad, Benguet, January 2025.
In a sense, candles may be considered as a sacrament too which is defined as a visible sign with invisible power.
The very act of lighting a candle is already the start of prayer, something like the making of the sign of the Cross. I strongly recommend for those who wish to aid their prayer periods with candles to use matches not lighters that are artificial.
Lighting a candle for prayer especially in the morning can rouse our senses. The striking of the match with its sudden burst of light to kindle the candle is like an angel had suddenly come down to assure us that our prayer is heard by God, that God is with us at the very moment or at least reminds us we have turned into the mode of praying.
The strong scent of the burning matchstick also adds flavor and aroma to the prayer period especially in the early morning when the whole world is still dark and everyone still asleep with you as the only one awake with God.
Lighting a candle first thing first upon waking up can help us avoid from getting our cellphones or turning on the radio or the TV. A lighted candle can prevent us from being distracted by these modern gadgets that keep us away from God and from one another.
Lighting a candle during a prayer period in our room or home works like the candlelight dinner that sets us to a lovely communion with God our beloved. The slow burning of a candle reminds us even in our busiest morning that we are at prayer in the presence of God, that we need to slow down too in our lives, to be conscious of our selves, surroundings and time so we can set our sights to God alone like a beloved in a candlelight dinner date.
At night time, the sight of the candle burning in one’s room is most dramatic as we close the day. Actually, it is during night time that the Church prays the Canticle of Simeon.
A painting of Simeon with the Child Jesus from the dailyprayerblog.blogspot.com
Imagine that scene at the temple when Simeon sang as he held the Child Jesus in his arms – of his readiness to die, to go in peace, after seeing Christ the light of salvation. In the darkness of the night punctuated only by a burning candle, we are able to examine our hearts of the many things we have done and failed to do the whole day. These become clearer in the light of the candle that penetrates our hearts and conscience, piercing and rending our souls to remove the darkness within us, exposing the festering anger or bitterness and sadness hiding inside, melting them away with its warmth so we may go to sleep clean and ready to continue with life – here or hereafter like Simeon.
One last note about candles as we end this reflection.
Monks use a candle snuffer in extinguishing candles in their chapels and monasteries. These are long metal instruments with tips like a bell that monks hover above a candle, slowly covering it until its light is snuffed out, hence, the name candle snuffer.
My candle snuffer at the foreground of my altar.
If you want to be serious in praying better with lighted candles, you may buy those small candle snuffers for home use available at some candle shops in the malls. If there is no candle snuffer, one may use the cover of the candle to snuff out the light. What is important is that as we close our prayers with the lighted candle as companion, we don’t simply blow its light to abruptly end its glow.
When blowing the candle used in prayer, do it slowly as if you are whispering. Do it with solemnity.
Every candle used at prayer becomes blessed, demanding some sort of reverence as companions in our prayer life and journey. Of course, it would be good if you can have your candles blessed by the priest for use at home to ward off negative vibes but more important than that is we grow in our prayer life, we become like lighted candles who give light to others in Christ. Like our candles, we also become a prayer to God in our very selves. Amen.Have a blessed week.
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