Understanding the parables, getting close to Jesus

Lord My Chef Sunday Recipe for Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II
Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle A, 26 July 2026
1 Kings 3:5, 7-12 ><}}}*> Romans 8:28-30 ><}}}*> Matthew 13:44-52
Photo by author, Anvaya Cove, Morong, Bataan, 20 July 2026.

We now come to the final installment of the last three parables by Jesus that began two Sundays ago that speak of the mystery of the kingdom of heaven, its unfolding and demands from us his disciples.

There are a total of seven parables in Matthew 13 known as discourse in parables which started with the parable of the sower until last Sunday where Jesus repeatedly told his listeners that included us today that “whoever has ears ought to hear”; now at its final installment, Jesus asks us after explaining everything, “Do you understand all these things?”

“Do you understand all these things?” They answered “Yes.” And he replied, “Then every scribe who has been instructed in the kingdom of heaven is like the head of a household who brings from the storeroom both the new and the old” (Matthew 13:51-52).

Photo by author, Anvaya Cove, Morong, Bataan, 20 July 2026.

From the French word parabolein for “along the road/path”, parables are stories taken from daily life that offer us deep, profound lessons and realities especially about God and his loving presence among us, of the coming of his kingdom in Jesus Christ. Unfortunately, most of us dismiss them because they are so plain and simple. Or ordinary, not realizing that the deepest truths in life actually come from the simplest aspects of daily living. That is why Jesus kept reminding everyone to always listen, not just hear.

Listening is more intentional, deliberate and conscious, leading to understanding which is an internalization of the lessons and message said. Our Filipino translation shows this so well: to listen is makinig while to hear is madinig or marinig.

Makinig demands attention while dinig is passive, indicating more of the surface level of sounds and words, not really minding the meaning and context. That is why, listening is more reliable, more certain than hearing that has no intention of understanding at all what is meant by being said.

Photo by author, “St. Joseph Protector of the Child Jesus”, 20 March 2024.

Listening leads to knowing and understanding the what, where, when, how and why of events and things of the story or lessons. When there is understanding, relationship happens because more than the facts and details we listen to, we encounter persons. Pope Leo XIV beautifully said this in his first Lenten Message in February that “listening is the first sign of our willingness to enter into a relationship.”

Now we see the intention of Jesus in teaching in parables which is to have a personal relationship with us his listeners and disciples. Moreover, the very act of listening leading to understanding is a process of formation and transformation which is the bigger picture of Jesus teaching in parables – that we may be transformed in him especially when he asked today, “Do you understand all these things?”

Again, its Filipino translation reveals its true meaning and inner dynamics, Nauunawaan ba ninyo ang mga ito? To understand is maunawaan, from the root word una or first in order.

More than knowing, to understand or maunawaan is to realize which is the first of all others because that is the most essential, the most important. “To understand all these things” is not a question of human intelligence that is often short and lacking, and unreliable. “To understand all these things” is a spiritual intelligence, of the humble and lowly, the child-like whom Jesus praised the other week in our weekday gospel (15th week, Wednesday, 15 July 2026, Mt.11:25-27).

Jesus asks us this Sunday “do you understand all these things” to stress that the kingdom of heaven which is actually the person of Christ himself is a treasure beyond price like that treasure found by a man in the field or that precious pearl a trader had found that we are willing to renounce everything to have and possess him!

Understanding the parables of Jesus is finding “God first” before anything or anybody else. In the first reading, we find why King Solomon is the wisest person of all because when asked by God for any gift, he asked for “an understanding heart to judge your people and to distinguish right from wrong” (1Kings 3:9) which delighted God so much. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom indeed!

God is the first One we must always desire, think and search in life. Without God, we only come in vicious circles of addictions and emptiness and meaninglessness. It is no surprise at all that the most corrupt and vicious people are also the ones who disregard God, who live as if there is no eternity. Without God, we are reduced to mere creatures meant to just eat and survive. Nothing else. That is why some people do not mind at all looking stupid (mukhang tanga at tunay na tanga), without any self respect because only matter matters for them like money (mukhang pera) and things like power or popularity.

With God, we find meaning and direction in everything in life as St. Paul tells us in the second reading, “Brothers and sisters: We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose” (Rom. 8:28).

Photo by author, flower of a Balibago Tree, Anvaya Cove Resort, Bataan, 21 July 2026.

“All things”… including trials and tribulations for they make us stronger and better persons. When we look back to our past, we see there are more things we have to be thankful to God than be sorry and have regrets. Many times, our past failures and sufferings and tears have become our gateway to our victory and comfort and joy.

Understanding the parables of Jesus and of life in general is actually a movement into getting closer to Christ, of being “every scribe who has been instructed in the kingdom of heaven is like the head of a household who brings from the storeroom both the new and the old” (Mt. 13:52).

Here we find the coming into full circle of Christ’s discourse in parables: from listening to understanding which is a process of communion and oneness with the Master, Jesus whose very Person is the kingdom of heaven.

Looking back to these past three Sundays of listening and understanding the various parables of Jesus, we find a remarkable stage in his teachings that bring us closest to him, leading us for the next route of his itinerary which is actually an inner journey into our hearts where he alone dwells. Amen. A blessed week ahead of listening and understanding Jesus among the people we meet and happenings we experience.

*Happy Feast Day to all Lolos and Lolas for today is the feast of Sts. Joachim and Anne, parents of the the Blessed Virgin Mary, grandparents of Jesus Christ.

Growing slowly & deeply in the Lord

Lord My Chef Daily Recipe for Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II
Friday in the Sixteenth Week of Ordinary Time, Year II, 24 July 2026
Jeremiah 3:14-17     ><))))*> + ><))))*> + ><))))*>     Matthew 13:18-23
Photo by author, Balibago Tree flower, Anvaya Cove, Morong, Bataan, 21 July 2026.
Help us return to you,
Lord, your rebellious children;
let us take this opportunity
of grace to be forgiven
to start anew
and to walk no longer in 
hardhearted wickedness
(cf. Jeremiah 3:14, 17).
It is our heart
that is always the problem,
not your word like the seeds
you scatter daily into our hearts,
Jesus; many times,
our heart are a mix of all kinds of
soil - the path, the rocky ground,
that among the thorns, and the 
rich soil; many times we are the
problem when we are hardhearted;
Lord Jesus,
continue to be patient with us,
watering us
cultivating us 
so that eventually your words
may grow and bear fruit in us.
In this age of instants
when even plants are instantly
made to bloom and bear fruits,
may we never forget that being
fruitful is what you desire most
than being productive;
like any good soil,
a seed can only grow into a 
fruitful plant, whether a crop or a tree
when there is openness to
the cultivator;
three things I ask you,
dear Lord as your soil:
patiently cultivate me
to open my heart in welcoming 
you into my life;
soften me as your soil,
Lord, that I may always be open
and welcoming to everyone
you sent to change the world,
and secondly, let me grow deeply
and surely in you Jesus
so that I may be fruitful not just
successful; being fruitful is the
more of what we have become
while successful is more of
what we have done and achieved.
Amen.
Photo by author, Anvaya Cove, Morong, Bataan, 21 July 2026.

Two evils we continue

Lord My Chef Daily Recipe for Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II
Thursday in the Fifteenth Week of Ordinary Time, Year II, 23 July 2026
Jeremiah 2:1-3, 7-8, 12-13     <*((((>< + ><))))*>     Matthew 13:10-17
Scars on the foothills of Mt. Guiting-guiting Natural Park in Sibuyan Island, Romblon caused by an alleged mining without permit perpetrated by a company owned by a political dynasty; from Facebook post of Atty. Wilfredo Garrido, 22 July 2026.
God our loving Father,
we pray so hard for our country
the Philippines
that has become so much like
your country of Israel at the time
of the Prophet Jeremiah:
we have not only destroyed 
one another as brothers and sisters with
our rampant corruption in government
but at the same time desecrated 
our paradise in this part of earth
with environmental destruction.

Two evils have my people done: they have forsaken me, the souce of living waters; they have dug themselves cisterns, broken cisterns, that hold no water (Jeremiah 2:13).

From Iskolar ng Bayan FB post, 22 July 2026.
What is happening in our country
like in other parts of the world 
is our complete violation of your
first commandment, Father -
of having strange gods,
of worshipping the Baals of
money and power and influence
through technologies that
at the start were meant 
to bring us together 
but have actually torn and
set us farther apart;
hence, even your wonderful gift
of nature supposed to provide us
with our needs in life
is raped and molested
without any respect for life
at all by the greedy investors
backed by rapacious politicians.
Open our eyes,
open our hearts
and strengthen our souls
to fight these evils, Lord Jesus
that we may see in the simple
parables of ordinary and usual 
like our local folks and
the nature around us
as signs of your grace
and love for us
demanding us to care
for them too because 
they are all yours
not mine to have
nor abuse;
we pray for politicians
and investors alike to see
more life and persons
not just money and profits
in their endeavors.
Amen.

Praying to “see” Jesus like Mary Magdalene

Lord My Chef Daily Recipe for Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II
Wednesday in the Sixteenth Week of Ordinary Time, Year II
Feast of St. Mary Magdalene, 22 July 2026
2 Corinthians 5:14-17     <*{{{{><  + ><}}}}*>     John 20:1-2, 11-18
“Christ’s Appearance to Mary Magdalene”, painting in 1835 by Russian painter Alexander Andreyevich Ivanov now hanging at the Russian Museum in St. Petersburg; from en.wikipedia.org.
"I have seen the Lord!"
(John 20:18)
What a joy must have been
for St. Mary Magdalene to 
proclaim to the Apostles your rising,
your appearance to her,
Lord Jesus.

Most joyous of all,
Lord is how you have called her
by name, "Mary!"

On the first day of the week, Mary of Magdalene came to the tomb early in the morning, while it was still dark, and saw the stone removed from the tomb. Mary stayed outside the tomb weeping. And as she wept, she bent over into the tomb and saw two angels in white sitting there, one at the head and one at the feet where the Body of Jesus had been. And they said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken by Lord, and I don’t know where they laid him.” When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus there, but did not know it was Jesus (John 20:1, 11-14).

Many times Lord Jesus
I feel like St. Mary Magdalene
on that very early morning
of Easter:
feeling lost or
distant from you
who seem to be missing
or taken away from me;
but so often,
like St. Mary Magdalene,
we fail to recognize you
with our eyes because
we picture you so differently
to who you really are.
Many times our
sight fails
that is why most often,
you call us
by name;
unfortunately in this age
of social media and so many
other distractions in life,
 we fail to hear nor even
listen to your voice
because we are afraid of silence
as we are so afraid
of the truth -
that you love us so much
that is why you have forgiven our sins.

Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to him in Hebrew, “Rabbouni,” which means Teacher. Jesus said to her, “Stop holding on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am going to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” Mary of Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord,” and then reported what he told her (John 20:16-18).

“Noli me tangere” (touch me not) fresco in the Lower Basilica of St. Francis Assisi Church in Italy painted by Giotto de Bondone in the 13th century from commons.wikimedia.org.
Everyday you
come to us,
Jesus,
calling us by name
like Mary Magdalene -
someone you personally know,
with all of our sins
and most kept secrets
in our hearts,
in our past.
If we could just be patient
like St. Mary Magdalene
in picking the pieces of our lives,
of converting daily,
of transcending the scars
of sins of our past,
then we shall hear
and joyously listen
to your voice
spoken in a whisper,
so sweet,
so reassuring
 of your real presence,
most of all
filled with tenderness
because you love us
immensely,
Jesus.
If we could just listen
to your voice, Jesus,
then like St. Mary Magdalene,
we can proclaim too
with joyful enthusiasm
to other disciples
"I have seen the Lord!"
spreading you love
and good news of salvation.
Amen.
From Facebook, April 2021: “There is an urgency to announce the Joy, the joy of the Risen Lord!”

Shepherd us your people, Lord

Lord My Chef Daily Recipe for Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II
Tuesday in Sixteenth Week of Ordinary Time, Year II, 21 July 2026
Micah 7:14-15, 18-20     <*((((><  +  ><))))*>     Matthew 12:46-50
Photo by Dra. Mylene A. Santos, MD, April 2023.
"Shepherd us your people
with your staff,
the flock of your inheritance,
that dwells apart in a woodland,
in the midst of Carmel.
Let them feed in Bashan
and Gilead,
as in the days of old"
(Micah 7:14).
Bring us back into your fold,
merciful God and Father,
for you delight in exercising
forgiveness and mercy;
we have gone too far from you
as we have refused to love,
regarding each one as
different instead of as kins;
we have been more concerned 
with physical presence
without giving much attention
to the deeper ties of our
relationships in Jesus your Son;
like Mary his Mother,
let us listen to his words
and obey them always,
give them fulfillment in
our lives of witnessing.
Amen.

Praying to walk humbly with God

Lord My Chef Daily Recipe for Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II
Monday in Sixteenth Week of Ordinary Time, Year II, 20 July 2026
Micah 6:1-4, 6-8     ><))))*> + ><))))*> + ><))))*>     Matthew 12:38-42
Photo by shy sol on Pexels.com
Another Monday, Lord:
thank you for another journey,
thank you for another chance
to walk with you.

It is your journey, actually;
therefore, teach us to walk humbly
 with you by doing 
what is right and just,
what is good and holy
like what your Prophet Micah
told the people of Israel.

You have been told, O man, what is good, and what the Lord requires of you: Only to do what is right and to love goodness, and to walk humbly with your God (Micah 6:8).

Forgive us, dear Father,
after all our journey in life,
we have gone to be so proud
like the scribes and Pharisees,
demanding signs from your Son
Jesus that he is the Christ;
after all the walking in life
when you have saved us,
when you have picked us up
after so many falls,
when you have sought us to return
to the right directions when lost,
when so many times you waited
for us when we lag and left behind,
we still question your loving presence
among us,
in us.

Lead me, Lord,
to your direction
for you are
the Way
the Truth
and the Life.
Amen.
Photo by author, St. Michael Retreat House, Antipolo City, 16 June 2026.

“Change the World” (1996) by Eric Clapton

Lord My Chef Sunday Music by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II, 19 July 2026
Photo by author, San Juan, La Union, 09 January 2026.

Our readings this Sunday are so lovely and refreshing, yet so true and realistic with what’s happening around us. Jesus Christ’s parable of weeds among the wheat proves what we have already known as we aged – “we live in an imperfect world, that there will always be diseases and sickness, failures and death along with scammers and criminals, liars and idiots, suckers and ungrateful and traitors among us” (https://lordmychef.com/2026/07/18/our-inexpressible-groanings/).

And yes, we all want to change the world but God cautions us because many times, the solution we find to life’s and world’s many problems create bigger problems:

But though you are master of might, you judge with clemency, and with much lenience you govern us; for power, whenever you will, attends you. And you taught your people, by these deeds, that those who are just must be kind; and you gave your children good ground for hope that you would permit repentance for their sins (Wisdom 12:18-19).

It is a very tall order, most difficult of all, calling us to become holy and patient like God because any change in the world has to start in our selves. That is why we remember this Sunday Eric Clapton’s version of that 1996 collaboration by Tommy Sims, Gordon Kennedy and Wayne Kirkpatrick “Change the World.”

According to Kennedy, they wrote the lyrics and music to “Change the World” over a span of one year. It was first recorded by country singer Wynonna Judd in February 1996 then by Clapton in October of the same year with the famous R&B artist Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds as producer when the song was chosen as soundtrack music to the movie Phenomenon starring John Travolta. Aside from winning accolades from critics and awards including the 1997 Grammy for Song of the Year, Record of the Year, and Best Male Pop Vocal Performance, “Change the World” is also one of Clapton’s best-selling hit in his entire career.

It is the music and melody of “Change the World” that is most captivating of all – soulful and reverberates deep inside any lover so in love with a woman to which Clapton has always been so famous (or notorious) like his 1971 hit “Layla” but on a different level and genre. “Change the World” is closer to Clapton’s “Tears in Heaven” which he composed after the death of his four year-old son in 1991. Both songs represent for us a new character and dimension in Clapton unfolding as one of music’s foremost forces up to this time.

Clapton’s distinctive guitar-playing virtuoso in “Change the World” echoes so St. Paul’s words in this Sunday’s second reading of how the Holy Spirit within us “intercedes with inexpressible groanings” (Rom. 8:26); according to St. Paul, we do not know how to pray which is so true that is why it is the Spirit who helps us pray to God. It means that God knows so well what’s going on inside us, when we are so loss for words not only in expressing our feelings and desires but most often, we could not even understand why things are going on – like the trials and difficulties we go through, the injustices that happen.

Many times we are tempted to ask where is God amid all these sufferings we go through in life as individuals and as a nation; but, we know deep in our hearts, God is with us, within us and knows so well everything that is happening. And he is in complete control.

That is why we sigh or groan when we could not contain what’s inside us, just like Clapton’s somber yet so relaxingly confident guitar bass lines in “Change the World” he had divinely woven with the lyrics that express wishful longings of him getting better, being the best person for his beloved. 

If I could reach the stars
Pull one down for you
Shine it on my heart
So you could see the truth

That this love I have inside
Is everything it seems
But for now I find
It's only in my dreams

And I can change the world
I will be the sunlight in your universe
You would think my love was really something good
Baby, if I could change the world

If I could be king
Even for a day
I'd take you as my queen
I'd have it no other way

And our love would rule
In this kingdom we have made
'Til then I'd be a fool
Wishing for the day

And I can change the world
I would be the sunlight in your universe
You would think my love was really something good
Baby, if I could change the world
Baby, if I could change the world

I could change the world
I would be the sunlight in your universe
You would think my love was really something good
Baby, if I could change the world
Baby, if I could change the world
Baby, if I could change the world

Even the music video evokes the parable of weeds among the wheat, of how Clapton remains undisturbed by the crowd in the terminal while singing, reminding us that changing the world begins in our being changed first into our best person as more loving, more kind, more patient. Have a blessed week ahead!

From YouTube.com.

Our inexpressible groanings

Lord My Chef SundayRecipe for Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II
Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle A, 19 July 2026
Wisdom 12:13, 16-19 ><))))*> Romans 8:26-27 ><))))*> Matthew 13:24-43
Photo by author, Lake of Galilee, the Holy Land, May 2017.

Before reflecting on the second set of parables by Jesus this Sunday, let us take a brief stop at the very short second reading from St. Paul’s Letter to the Romans; it is so lovely and we cannot resist reflecting on the word “groaning” by the great Apostle.

Last Sunday, St. Paul said “We know all creation is groaning in labor pains even until now… we also groan within ourselves as we await for adoption, the redemption of our bodies” (Rom. 8:22,23). And then this Sunday, he spoke again of “groaning”:

Brothers and sister: The Spirit comes to the aid of our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes with inexpressible groanings. And the one who searches hearts knows what is the intention of the Spirit, because he intercedes for the holy ones according to God’s will (Romans 8:26-27).

To groan or to sigh according to Mr. Webster is a deep, prolonged sound made involuntarily in response to pain, grief or frustration. We have a very picturesque translation of those words in Filipino which is magbuntung-hininga that many of our old folks frowned upon because it is a sign of surrendering, of giving up.

Photo by author, St. Michael Retreat House, Antipolo City, 16 June 2026.

Is it bad? Not at all. Even Jesus sighed at the disbelief among the Jews with him (Mk.8:12). To groan, to sigh is to be fully human and even Christian if we go by the line of thought of St. Paul last week and this Sunday.

Groaning for him is the most profound spiritual response to brokenness. That is why I love our Filipino word magbuntung-hininga that evokes an image of digging deep inside – halukayin – for breath to breathe and forge on in life. It is like gulping a handful of air to breathe before taking a plunge or meeting head on a difficult situation in life. It is actually a kind of spirituality, an expression of holiness of surrendering everything to God, of letting go and letting God.

St. Paul spoke of three kinds of groaning: the first two we heard last Sunday, creation groaning and believers groaning as we have cited earlier. Creation groaning means the world is subject to decay while Christians groan inwardly, bearing all pains and hardships in clear hopes of redemption in Christ.

This Sunday, St. Paul spoke anew of “inexpressible groaning”, of sighing because it is too deep for words that the Holy Spirit within us is doing all the expressions of our deepest feelings. It is the one fact of life we often forget when in deep trials and tribulations: that the Holy Spirit is already within us in all our weaknesses. Actually, we do not have to come before God with perfect words, clear thoughts or settled hearts when praying because he knows everything we are going through. Simply be still for God is with us.

And this my friends is the very meaning of Jesus Christ’s second set of parables this Sunday, the weeds among the wheat.

Jesus proposed another parable to the crowds, saying: “The kingdom of heaven may be likened to a man who sowed good seed in his field. While everyone was asleep his enemy came and sowed weeds all through the wheat, and then went off. When the crop grew and bore fruit, the weeds appeared as well… His slaves said to him, ‘Do you want us to go and pull them up?’ He replied, “No, if you pull up the weeds you might uproot the wheat along with them. Let them grow together until harvest; then at harvest time I will say to the harvesters, “First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles for burning; but gather the wheat into my barn” (Matthew 13:24-26, 28-30).

Photo by Giuseppe Russo on Pexels.com

We live in an imperfect world, of weeds growing among the wheat. There will always be diseases and sickness, failures and death along with scammers and criminals, liars and idiots, suckers and ungrateful and traitors among us. Add to these all the other woes we have in life like that ongoing war in the Middle East that have kicked up gas prices so high like drones and missiles. Hayyyy…!

And we ask, where is God?

How could God allow all these things to happen like when a poor, hardworking motorcycle taxi rider in Caloocan City trying to make ends meet died after being stabbed with an ice pick then robbed by his passenger still at large?

We wonder as a nation how long do we have to bear all the stupidities and idiosyncrasies of those corrupt, evil people in government even in the church when the majority of us have to suffer at the consequences of their excesses and abuses?

The author of the Book of Wisdom reflected on these realities thousands of years ago and had asked the same questions we ask today. He invites us to prayerfully reflect God’s goodness and kindness:

But though you are master of might, you judge with clemency, and with much lenience you govern us; for power, whenever you will, attends you. And you taught your people, by these deeds, that those who are just must be kind; and you gave your children good ground for hope that you would permit repentance for their sins (Wisdom 12:18-19).

Photo by author, Carmel of the Holy Family Monastery, Guiguinto, Bulacan, 21 January 2026.

Despite the weeds – the evil men and women who seem to always prevail – the author of Wisdom in his reflections reminds us to be like God, “the just must be kind.”

It is a very tall order, even difficult but we have to give it a chance because we have seen and proven that many times our human response to the evils and injustices happening end up becoming more brutal like the wars happening right now. Many times, human solutions actually create bigger problems.

That is why all three readings this Sunday tell us to be patient, to dive deeper in prayer where the Holy Spirit enlightens us clearly.

Photo from inquirer.net, Pandacan Church fire, 11 July 2020.

We have seen and experienced in recent years that indeed, “where sin increased, grace abounded all the more” (Rom. 5:20) like with those two good men in the NBI testifying at the impeachment of the Vice-President or of that most decent lawyer from Cebu, Atty. Amando Virgil Ligutan smashing all the lies and grandstanding of her lawyers. Every day we experience grace after grace of deliverance from all dangers through people including strangers who have helped us kindly.

That is why we have to go back to this Sunday’s second reading where St. Paul reminds us that even when we cannot say what is happening within us, the Holy Spirit is praying in us and for us. There are more things happening in us that we have to be thankful with than be sorry or complain about.

Let go of all those negative feelings and thoughts; life is already difficult, don’t make it harder. Instead, may we come to Jesus and learn from him to be patient like God who “gave us good ground for hope that you would permit repentance for their sins” (Wis.12:19).

Let us cultivate our hearts – the field where the seeds are sown that despite the weeds they shall still bear fruit with good works and peace for everyone.

Our classes in the University have begun recently; every time I celebrate Mass with our students, I always remind them these things which I hope may help you too: study hard, work harder, pray hardest. May you have a Holy Spirit-filled week ahead. Amen.

“Knocking On Heaven’s Door”

Lord My Chef Daily Recipe for Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II
Friday in the Fifteenth Week of Ordinary Time, Year II, 17 July 2026
Isaiah 38:1-6, 21-22, 7-8; 38:10-12, 16    <*((((><  +  ><))))*>     Matthew 12:1-8
Photo by author, sunrise at Camp John Hay, Baguio City, 19 November 2018.
God our loving Father,
I thank you for this wonderful
Friday and most of all, 
for your moving words
from King Hezekiah,
the very same words
in our hearts especially 
for those like me who have
reached senior year,
or may be going through 
many difficulties in life
that make us all realize 
our mortality
and finiteness.
Father,
we are all afraid of death,
of dying,
of the pain of getting sick,
of the process so hurtful
in all aspects; but, like
King Hezekiah in the first reading,
what really makes us worry 
with death is the unfinished work
you have given us,
the sadness of what shall
happen to those we shall leave behind
not because we believe so much
in ourselves but more because
we know we have not finished
your work; forgive us for those
moments we have procrastinated 
your work, for those times we 
balked and dilly dallied to your
commands, or to those times
we refused to follow you; 
hear our pleas like your
faithful King Hezekiah
knocking at heaven’s door:

Once I said: “In the noontime of life I must depart! To the gates of the nether world I shall be consigned for the rest of my years… Like a swallow I utter shrill cries; I moan like a dove. My eyes grow weak, gazing heavenward: O Lord, I am in straits; be my surety” (Isaiah 38:10, 14).

Photo by Mr. Howie Severino, Taal Lake, Batangas, 13 November 2018.
O Lord our God
most loving,
our life and meaning
who desires most mercy
than sacrifice for
you are the Lord of sabbath
(Matthew 12:7-8),
like King Hezekiah and 
Bob Dylan in this modern time
we "knock at heaven's 
door" for those in great need
at these very moment
like the disciples of Jesus
so hungry while crossing a field 
of grain on a sabbath 
and picked the heads of grain
and ate them; heal those so sick
 not only in body but also in mind,
heart and soul;
ease their pains and sorrows;
and should we reach the final end,
welcome us into your heavenly
kingdom; but still, as we
hope against hope,
heal us by turning back
the clock of time
for us to fulfill your 
assigned task and 
mission.
Amen.

*While praying last night, we remembered Bob Dylan’s iconic “Knocking At Heaven’s Door” that he wrote as soundtrack of the 1973 film “Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid”. It became a worldwide hit after its release and had been covered by other artists like Eric Clapton, Randy Crawford and Guns N’ Roses.

“Knocking At Heaven’s Door” is praying hard to God when at the point of death. Like Hezekiah in the first reading, it is the baring of one’s soul to God, begging for his mercy that if possible be allowed to live a little longer. In this song, we find the lyrics and music elegantly and nobly simple, so characteristic of Dylan’s songs that earned him awards outside the music circle like journalism’s Pulitzer Prize special citation in 2008 and the recent Nobel Prize in Literature in 2016 “for having created new poetic expressions within the great American music tradition” (wikipedia).

In our prayer last night, we realized as we age that we fear death and its other daily manifestations like separation and other lifestyle shifts because of being sorry for not having done much in life that if given another chance, we might after all finish our mission like King Hezekiah in the first reading today. Knocking at heaven’s door is one of life’s most powerful prayer as it always “moves” God in the sense he grants our prayers not because he changes his mind but because we have finally surrendered to him and his Divine Will. Likewise, it reminds us to be faithful to our calling always so that when God calls us to death, we can let go easily.

Bob Dylan captured this so well citing the final scene of the movie for which he composed “Knocking At Heaven’s Door” when the frontier lawman was about to die, he gave or “surrendered” to his wife – Mama – his badge and gun because he had finished his job.

[Intro]
Ooh, ooh
Ooh, ooh

[Verse 1]
Mama, take this badge off of me
I can’t use it anymore
It’s getting dark, too dark to see
I feel I’m knockin' on heaven’s door

[Chorus]
Knock, knock, knockin' on heaven’s door
Knock, knock, knockin' on heaven’s door
Knock, knock, knockin' on heaven’s door
Knock, knock, knockin' on heaven's door

[Verse 2]
Mama, put my guns in the ground
I can’t shoot them anymore
That long black cloud is coming down
I feel I’m knockin' on heaven’s door

[Chorus]
Knock, knock, knockin' on heaven’s door
Knock, knock, knockin' on heaven’s door
Knock, knock, knockin' on heaven’s door
Knock, knock, knockin' on heaven's door

A blessed weekend everyone. Handle life with prayer always.

From YouTube.com

The other side of God

Lord My Chef Daily Recipe for Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II
Thursday in the Fifteenth Week of Ordinary Time, Year II
Optional Memorial of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, 16 July 2026
Isaiah 26:7-9, 12, 16-19     <*((((>< + ><))))*>     Matthew 11:28-30
Photo by author, Carmel of the Holy Family Monastery, Bgy. Tabe, Guiguinto, Bulacan, September 2025.
Your words today,
O Lord Jesus,
remind us of another side
of God - your compassion
and deep understanding of 
being human.

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).

Do you really want me to
come to you, Jesus?
How amazing you our
Lord and God, calling me,
inviting me to come to you,
to learn from you...
because you believe in me?
you trust me?
that I am worthy and
valuable?
In a world that gives
so much premium on
confidence and strength,
you offer us today Jesus
not only consolation
but a completely different
way of being like
being gentle and loving,
kind and understanding,
caring and humble.
Like Mary as
Our Mother of Mount Carmel,
she had opened another side
of heaven,
of God
not simply through her
Scapular but most of all
in imitating her spirituality
in being close to Jesus
nurtured in deep prayers
simplicity
and humility.
Amen.
Our Lady of Mount Carmel,
Pray for us!
Photo by author, Carmel of the Holy Family Monastery, Bgy. Tabe, Guiguinto, Bulacan, 15 July 2020.