Kuwentong tag-ulan: kasal ng tikbalang?

Lawiswis ng Salita ni P. Nicanor F. Lalog II, Ika-10 ng Agosto 2026
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Isang linggo na akong masayang nagpapaulan sa aking araw-araw na walking dito sa amin.

Natutuwa ako dahil kay dami kong naaalala masasayang karanasan ng paliligo sa ulan noong bata pa kami tulad ng pagtatampisaw sa tubig, pagtapat sa mga alulod ng lahat ng mga bahay at ngumanganga ng nakatingala sa langit para inumin ang ulan.

Mula sa Instagram.

Isa sa mga sumagi sa aking alaala na paksa ng usapan naming magpipinsan tuwing umuulan at tirik din ang araw ay kung totoo nga na mayroon daw kinakasal na tikbalang – isang uri ng halimaw na parang tao kung maglakad ngunit mukha at anyong kabayo.

Ngayong matanda na ako, napag-isipan ko na totoo nga ito at hindi lang basta kalokohan. Nabatid ko na lamang iyan ngayong tag-ulan nang ilang ulit na umulan habang mainit ang sikat ng araw.

Unang tikbalang na tingin kong kinakasal kapag umuulan habang umaaraw ang mga local officials natin gaya ng mga mayor, tapos ang mga senador, kongresista, at mga upisyal ng DPWH. Yung mga sangkot sa ghost project flood scam noong isang taon.

Halimaw ang mga iyon.

Siyempre, sigurado mayroon ding mga tikbalang sa iba pang mga sangay at ahensiya ng pamahalaan na nagpapasasa sa kaban ng bayan habang hindi alintana hirap at pagdurusa ng mga mamamayan lalo na kapag umuulan.

Kundangan naman kasi, marami sa ating mamamayan mahilig mag-alaga at makipagkaibigan sa mga tikbalang, yung mga nakikinabang na negosyante at contractor.

Higit sa lahat, mga mamamayan mismo na bumoboto sa mga corrupt na upisyal.

Sila ang mga kabiyak – asawa – ng mga tikbalang na iyan. Partner in crime. Eka nga, it takes two to tango. Marami sila. Asawa at bisita. Ang iba ninong at ninang.

Nakakasawa nang manood ng mga reels at posts ng mga binaha at pa-shout out shout out pa kay mayor. Puro hinagpis sa social media kesyo palala ng palala na raw ang baha sa kanilang lugar, walang ginagawa mga mayor.

Ang tanong ay, ano nangyari bakit kada eleksiyon binoboto nila mga bulok na yan? Taun-taon pala silang pinahihirapan tuwing tag-ulan tapos minsan sa anim na taon tuwing eleksiyon nakakalimutan kawalanghiyaan at kawalang-silbi ng mga iyan?

Kasalan sa binaha na Simbahan ng Barasoain, kuha ni G. Aaron Favila ng Associated Press, 22 Hulyo 2025.

Walang kinakasal na mag-isa. Tayong mga mamamayan ang asawa, ang kabiyak ng mga tikbalang!

Karamihan din kasi sa atin ay tikbalang. Takot mag-isip, takot manindigan sa tama at katotohanan. At ang hirap sa atin, palaging humahanap ng ibang masisisi maliban sa sarili.

Katulad ng isang matandang ginang na kabatian ko kasi tuwing umaga sa aking paglalakad nadaraanan ko siya sa harapan ng kanyang apartment.

Photo by Ravi Kant on Pexels.com

Noong Huwebes ng umaga sa gitna ng ulan habang ako ay naglalakad, sabi niya sa akin bakit daw ako nag-eexercise pa umuulan na?

Kumaway lang ako sa kanya at hindi na sumagot kasi nagdidilig siya noon ng halaman gamit ang lagadera.

Kawalan naman ng galang kung sinagot ko siya ng bakit po kayo nagdidilig ng halaman e umuulan?

Kulang sa pagninilay at pag-iisip? Mas malamang.

Ganyan tayo mga Pinoy, mema. Memasabi lang kadalasan na hindi pinag-iisipan.

Pero maganda at nakatutuwa sinasabi sa isang post sa Facebook buhat sa news report na nabawasan na pagbaha sa Marikina dahil sa mahusay na flood control projects doon ng lokal na pamahalaan pagkaraan ng tatlong taon.

Marami nang lungsod at bansa nagpatunay na maaring maibsan pinsala ng baha kung sadyang pag-aaralan at tunay na hahanapan ng lunas ng mga matitinong tao na may malasakit sa kapwa. At takot sa Diyos. Mangyayari lamang iyan kung boboto tayo ng mga upisyal ng pamahalaan na mayroong malasakit sa paglilingkod. Hindi suwapang. Hindi tikbalang.

Pansin ninyo, puro tayo smart watch, smart phone pero stupid person?

Sa kabila ng mga makabagong teknolohiya, parang nabobobo mga tao ngayon: noong bata kami basta signal number 2 ang bagyo, automatic wala nang klase sa elementary at high school.

Bakit gayon na lamang ang pag-asa at pagtutok lalo ng mga magulang sa LGU kung may pasok o wala?

Sapantaha ko diyan ay mas grade conscious ngayon mga magulang kesa mga anak nila na tuwang tuwa naman tuwing suspendido ang klase.

Pakiwari ko tuwing umuulan, maraming tao natatakot maninindigan na pati pagpasok sa paaralan ay inaasa sa mga kinauukulan. Kaya ang gulo ng buhay ngayon!

Noong Martes wala palang klase pero pumasok ako;kinabukasan wala ulit pasok kaya nagpaulan ako at naisip ko magkapareho ang LGU at carwash: kapag nag-announce ng walang pasok mga mayor dahil sa masamang panahon, kadalasan umaaraw, maganda ang panahon. Magpa-carwash ka, pagkaaalis na pagkaalis mo, papatak ang ulan!

Sa tuwing umuulan doon nasusubok ating pananampalataya sa Diyos at kapwa, nahahasa ating kakayanang magpasya ng wasto sa pamamagitan ng masusing pag-iisip at pagninilay ng mga bagay bagay. Higit sa lahat, sa tag-ulan lumalabas likas nating kabutihan. O kawalan nito. Walang pakialam sa iba. Kung saan-saan tinatapon mga basura. Palaging iba may kasalan liban sa sarili.

Hanga ako doon sa mga nagpapacarwash maski umuulan. Wala silang pakialam sa lagay ng panahon kungdi sa lagay ng kanilang sasakyan!

Iyon ang dapat: tingnan natin at suriin ating sarili hindi lagay ng panahon o ibang tao labas sa atin. Siguradong babagyo at uulan na kasabay nito ang mga pagbaha. Bakit tila nagugulat at nagugulantang pa tayo kapag nangyari na mga ito? Pagmasdan: kung gaano katagal sina mayor sa puwesto, ganoon katagal na rin ang baha. Kailangan pa bang i-memorise yan? Parang basura yan – babalik sa atin!

Kuha ng may-akda, Huwebes Santo, umuulan habang umaaraw sa Bagbaguin, Sta. Maria, Bulacan, 09 Abril 2020.

Balikan natin yung kasabihang mayroong kinakasal na tikbalang tuwing sabay na umuulan at sumisikat ang araw. Natukoy natin mga tikbalang, sino kanilang kabiyak o asawa, pati ninong at ninang hanggang sa mga bisita.

Heto ngayon: hindi ba kapag may kasalan, palagi mayroong pari?

Sino ang tumatayong pari kapag may kinakasal na tikbalang?

E di mga pari din. Mga kasama at kapatid naming pari. Ilan lang naman sila.

Noong isang taon ko pa ito gustong sabihin pero sinasaalang-alang ko aking pagkapari at mga kapatid sa kaparian. Pero, kailangang sabihin.

Isang taon makalipas pumutok ang ghost project scam sa mga flood controls na ang epicenter ay lalawigan ng Bulakan, mismong sa lungsod ng Malolos, hindi maikakaila Katoliko karamihan ng mga tikbalang.

At mga paring Katoliko nagkakasal sa kanila. Mayroon din ilang mga pastor at ministro nagkakasal sa mga tikbalang tuwing umuulan habang umaaraw. May ibang sekta nga nag-aalaga talaga ng mga tikbalang.

Larawan mula sa Facebook post ni Dr. Tony Leachon, “KLEPTOPIROSIS: When Corruption Becomes a Public Health Crisis”, 08 Agosto 2025.

Ilan ang mga pari na humingi ng donasyon sa mga corrupt na upisyales para sa kung anu anong mga pagawain sa simbahan? Hindi ba iyan ay malinaw na pakikipag-kaibigan at kung tutuusin pakikipag-sabwatan sa mga tikbalang?

Ilang parokya pulitiko pinageermano sa kanilang pista kahit hindi taga-roon sa kanila dahil lang sa konting halaga?

Katulad ng malawakang pagbaha, hindi nating kailangang tumingin sa malayo. Lalo na kaming mga pari at lingkod sa simbahan. Kasama kami at kung tutuusin napakalaki at napakabigat ng pananagutan namin lalo sa Diyos na kasama kami sa kasal ng mga tikbalang na iyan.

Gayon pa man, mas marami pa rin sa aming mga pari ang tunay na lumalaban, naninindigan sa katarungan at katotohanan na hindi kailanman nagpauto sa mga tikbalang at kanilang mga galamay sa simbahan.

Sa susunod na umuulan kasabay na sikat ang araw, subukan nating magpaulan at hayaang dumampi sa ating bumbunan, sa ating mukha ang patak ng ulan upang mapaalalahanang mayroong Diyos na higit na makapangyarihan dapat nating sundin at paglingkuran lamang. Hindi mga tikbalang.

At sinabi niya sa kanila, “Kung gayon, ibigay ninyo sa Cesar ang sa Cesar, at sa Diyos ang sa Diyos” (Mateo 22:21).

Sa kahuli-hulihan, ano man ang panahon, higit pa rin palagi ang Panginoong Diyos sa lahat na siyang tanging pinagmumulan ng lahat ng ating kinakailangan at pagpapala. Ito palagi dapat naming panindigang mga pari, umulan man nang umaaraw. Amen.

Larawan kuha ni Michael Varcas ng Philippine Star sa Hagunoy, Bulacan sa isinagawang rally ng mga taga-Parokya ni Sta. Ana sa pangunguna ng kanilang Kura Paroko P. Rodel Ponce laban sa flood control scam noong Setyembre 2025.

Praying to be a cheerful giver

Lord My Chef Daily Recipe for Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II
Monday, Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time, Year II
Feast of St. Lawrence, Deacon & Martyr, 10 August 2026
2 Corinthians 9:6-10     ><]]]]'> + ><]]]]'> + ><]]]]'>     John 12:24-26
Photo by author, Anvaya Cove, Morong, Bataan, 21 July 2026.
Lord Jesus,
teach me to be a cheerful giver:
teach me to be like St. Lawrence
your deacon and martyr we honor
today who gave himself totally
and cheerfully to you because
he felt strongly the overflowing
abundance of your grace
and blessings to him;
many times we are reluctant 
to give our time, treasures,
and talents because we feel
always lacking;
open our very selves 
to find you and your blessings
within so that 
we freely give and share
whatever we have
to continue serving in your name;
most of all,
teach me to give more of myself
like a grain of wheat that dies
and produces much fruit in you.
Amen.

St. Lawrence, Martyr and Deacon,
pray for us!
“Martyrdom of St. Lawrence, Deacon” by Hipolito de Rioja (16th c.) from commons.wikimedia.org

Jesus our certainty & security

Lord My Chef Sunday Recipe for Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II
Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle A, 09 August 2026
1Kings 19:9, 11-13 ><}}}}*> Romans 9:1-5 ><}}}}*> Matthew 14:22-33
Photo by author, Lake of Galilee, the Holy Land, May 2017.

Way back in 2017 on my second pilgrimage in the Holy Land with friends from GMA News, our early morning boat ride was postponed to midmorning due to strong winds in the Lake of Galilee that locals said could be so dangerous.

And that’s how life could really be a lot often in the most poetic sense.

In this journey in life, we not only walk the earth and climb hills and mountains but also have to cross rivers and lakes and seas many times. This is exactly what we do every Sunday when we journey in faith in Jesus, with Jesus just like the disciples at that time.

This year Matthew leads us in this journey. He tells us a totally different scene and setting in giving us a glimpse of the very person of Jesus Christ this Sunday.

Photo by author, Lake of Galilee, the Holy Land, May 2019.

After the miraculous feeding of more than five-thousand people from five loaves of bread and two pieces of fish last week, Jesus ordered his disciples to go ahead of him on a boat to the other side of the lake as he dismissed the crowds; by evening, Jesus was left alone atop the mountain praying while his disciples encountered rough seas a few miles offshore. During the fourth watch of the night, that is, about 3AM, Jesus came to his disciples walking on water.

When the disciples saw him walking on the sea they were terrified. “It is a ghost,” they said, and they cried out of fear. At once Jesus spoke to them, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.” Peter said to him in reply, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” Peter got out of the boat and began to walk on the water toward Jesus. But when he saw how strong the wind was he became frightened, and, beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand and caught Peter, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” After they got into the boat, the wind died down. Those who were in the boat did him homage, saying, “Turly, you are the Son of God” (Matthew 14:26-33).

Photo by author, San Juan, La Union, 08 January 2026.

How was our journey of faith this past year? Have our trust in God grown or changed?

It is really difficult to measure our faith, of how deep it has become because most often, we still feel fragile and uncertain, afraid and so unsure.

Growing in faith is often not straightforward; many times we feel shaken, almost at a total loss when suddenly Jesus comes at the nick of time. This is most true when we experience death of a loved one or simply someone close to us.

Actually I have been going to many funerals lately: the death of a best friend last week that was followed by the demise of his mother-in-law a few hours after we have laid him to his final resting place. Last week, several friends and relatives have also died in my hometown but I had to beg off in offering Masses to most of them.

Our faith and trust in God are most tested in deaths. Many things run through our minds when we hear someone close had died: most common reaction is how quick was the shift when we have just saw each other or texted each other then suddenly, we hear death had come while we silently whisper within kailan lang magkausap/magkasama pa tayo…

Like the disciples at that time when their boat was being tossed by waves due to strong winds in the middle of the lake at night: they could not believe how a little while they left Jesus at the shore to cross the lake then suddenly, Jesus was coming toward them on water. It must be terrifying indeed!

“Christ Walking On Water” painting by Julius Servus von Klever (1880) from commons.wikipedia.org

Many times too we find ourselves in great difficulty believing – much more accepting – bad news like when we or somebody close to us is diagnosed with a serious illness, had separated from husband or wife, going through a depression or any mental issues, had an accident or lost everything in a fire.

The list is endless of similar situations when we feel like in a boat tossed by giant waves in the middle of the sea at midnight. Like the disciples in the boat, uncertainties and darkness blind us and drive us into fears that sometimes we fail to recognize Jesus already with us.

Just hold on to God amid all the dangers you face with all your worries and doubts, fears and uncertainties. Most of all, “take courage” as Jesus told the disciples in the boat as he approached them on water because he always comes quietly, often unexpectedly.

By the fact we are able to pray, we are able to celebrate Mass on a Sunday, we are able to cry to God, that is enough proof of his very presence in us giving us courage and strength to endure and move forward with whatever we have just like last week when Jesus asked us to give him whatever little we have. What is most important is we call to God, we believe in him no matter how imperfect it may be like Peter who said, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you.”

Ano ba talaga? “Lord, if it is you” – we recognize Jesus our Lord but we can’t remove the “IF” because we are imperfect, divided between doubt and belief.

That’s normal.

There is always that gap in us, like the shore and the sea, doubt and belief that nonetheless keep us in the journey with Christ who asks us to step out in faith even in the high seas.

Photo by author, San Juan, La Union, 08 January 2026.

God does not rush or pressure us to complete faith in him but patiently invites us to grow in trust at our own pace. Even the great Prophet Elijah in the first reading had to wait patiently for God’s coming after fleeing to Mount Horeb to escape the murderous plots of Queen Jezebel against him.

Elijah surely was not aware of everything about God’s plan for him but he had the courage to follow him, to obey him to go to Horeb which is also Mount Sinai where God appeared to Moses. Of course, Elijah knew the scriptures very well, of how God spoke and appeared to Moses and the Israelites in “strong heavy winds and crushing rocks, in earthquake and fire” but found God nowhere. Elijah remained at the mouth of the cave in Horeb until “there was a tiny whispering sound. When he heard this, Elijah hid his face in his cloak and went and stood at the entrance of the cave” (1Kgs.19:12-13).

How lovely is this scene that shows us convincingly that God comes and speaks always in silence. Incidentally, it takes a lot of courage to be silent too.

Faith, like love, comes after an encounter with Jesus. The more we follow Jesus, the more we grow in faith in him as we meet him and most of all, listen to him despite our many imperfections. Just remain in him for he alone is our certainty and security. Let us pray:

Lord Jesus,
draw me deeply into
a trusting relationship with you
by following you more closely
as I struggle with my many 
hesitations and doubts 
of your presence.
Amen.
Photo by author, Anvaya Cove, Morong, Bataan, 21 July 2026.

Our continuing journey in Christ

Lord My Chef Daily Recipe for Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II
First Friday in August, Eighteenth Week of Ordinary Time, Year II
07 August 2026
Nahum 2:1, 3; 3:1-3, 6-7     <*((((>< + ><))))*>     Matthew 16:24-28
Photo by author, Anvaya Resort, Morong, Bataan, 21 July 2026.
Thank you for this
first Friday in August,
Lord Jesus; 
your words remind us 
of our continuing journey
in you
and with you;
many times, 
we go towards you
but sometimes
we go on so many detours
because we think them
as shortcuts,
as better,
most often but wrongly,
much lighter.

Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses hisnlife for my sake will find it (Matthew 16:24-25).

Christian journey
is a continual turning 
of our hearts to you,
Lord Jesus;
problem is how we 
easily forget,
how foolishly we insist
like the people of Nineveh
to live in power and wealth,
in greed and violence,
in selfishness;
life and its fullness can only
be found in you, Jesus;
help us find our way back to you
when we are lost,
let us leave the sidewalks
to join you on the road itself
as we journey to the Cross
so that along the way
experience your life
and joy and fulfillment.
Amen.

Jesus meek and humble of heart,
make my heart like thine!
Photo by author, Anvaya Resort, Morong, Bataan, 21 July 2026.

Transfiguration is seeing the face of Jesus

Lord My Chef Daily Recipe for Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II
Thursday in the Eighteenth Week of Ordinary Time, Year II
Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord, 06 August 2026
2 Peter 1:16-19     <*{{{{><  +  ><}}}}*>     Matthew 17:1-9
Mosaic inside the Basilica of the Transfiguration on Mt. Tabor, Israel; photo from commons.wikimedia.org.

The face is a reflection of what is in the heart and soul of every person. No amount of cosmetics and beauty procedures can ever bring out that glow and radiance of anyone’s face beaming with joy and fulfillment, peace and contentment coming from the heart.

This direct correlation of the face and the heart is called countenance – an indication of someone’s depth – or shallowness – of inner transformation due to deep spirituality, of communion with God. This is most evident on those we find whose face looks younger than one’s age that we often describe as malalim or deep, or magaling magdala ng problema. Another favorite Filipino expression of a person’s countenance is when we find somebody as madaling makagaanan ng loob – a person we meet for the first time yet we feel so light and easy with, we feel at home with him or her. In the same manner, we sense or notice something negative and unpleasant like rotting inside a person despite having good features like flawless skin or aquiline nose and beautiful eyes, we still find him or her so chaka or ugly.

Countenance is what young people call as “uma-aura” when they pose for FB or IG from “aura” or spirit within evoked and projected by one’s face that cannot be manipulated nor faked.

Jesus took Peter, James, and his brother, John, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them; his face shone like the sun and his clothes became white as light (Matthew 17:1-2).

Painting of the Transfiguration by Italian artist Duccio di Buoninsegna between 1308 and 1311 from commons.wikimedia.org.

What a beautiful expression by Matthew, “his (Jesus’) face shone like the sun” at his transfiguration primarily because deep inside him is his complete and perfect union in the Father. Jesus always insisted on this reality within him, of his perfect communion in the Father from which also flows his total obedience that reached its highest point at his Passion and Death on the Cross, his own Pasch or exodus.

Try recalling unexpected moments in your life when God’s presence was so clear to you like a light shining from within; it could be those moments you have overcome a major obstacle in life or simply when you felt so loved while in some forms of darkness in life. Like the three apostles, during those moments we felt so overwhelmed by God’s glory and majesty that we felt like remaining in that state of comfort and certainty and consolation. Most often, these occurred during or after some trying times or occasions.

There on Mount Tabor in his transfiguration, we are shown that Christ’s glory cannot be separated from the Cross. His majesty and triumph shall come from his pasch. And so are we his disciples. That is why the voice heard by the apostles said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased; listen to him”. From now on after his transfiguration, Jesus would be speaking thrice of his coming Passion, Death and Resurrection as he heads toward Jerusalem. All his lessons after Mount Tabor are about our participation in his paschal mysteries.

Do we listen at all? How’s our facial expression when we dwell on his conditions of discipleship? Is there a spark within us, a light shining through? Or, do we experience a “blackout”?

Photo from custodia.org of Basilica of the Transfiguration on Mt. Tabor, Israel.

Every second Sunday in Lent, we hear the same gospel of Christ’s transfiguration in preparation for Easter; this August 6 is the 18th week in Ordinary Time and we celebrate the Feast of Transfiguration to help us sustain in following Jesus in the last 16 weeks of the year.

During this time especially August when everything seems to slow down with life getting a bit difficult, the Transfiguration of Jesus calls us to never lose sight of the Cross of Good Friday as our path to glorious transfiguration in Christ. It is a process we have to patiently and persevere to go through in life.

The apostles learned and embraced all these lessons in a process slowly with the guidance of the Holy Spirit after Pentecost. That is why Jesus told them to come down from Tabor to continue their journey to Jerusalem to fulfill his mission. Through them we have believed despite our not having seen Jesus that is how he would appear as “Lord” on the mountain that we the faithful are climbing to participate in the ultimate manifestation of his return at the end of time.

To journey with Christ, listening and obeying his voice is something of the inside, of the heart. Not of the outside like places. The light of Christ does not remain still, continuously drawing us forward unto him, right into our hearts.

Life is a daily ascent to Mount Tabor, often when nights are long and dark, when the temptation to follow the artificial lights of the world and modernisms offering shortcuts to fulfillment and meaning are so tempting.

Photo from iStockphoto.com of Mount Tabor in Israel where Jesus is believed to have transfigured.

St. Peter warns us in the first reading that “we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ… we possess the prophetic message that is altogether reliable. You will do well to be attentive to it, as a lamp shining in a dark place, until day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts” (2Pt.1:16, 19).

The path to glory is the path of the Cross of Jesus, right in our hearts when we are willing to forgive and understand, when we are more loving and kind, when we are empty of pride and filled with Jesus always. May the light of Christ shine on us, on our face. Let us pray:

Show me your face,
Jesus by dwelling right here
in my heart,
filling me with your
love and kindness,
justice and truth, 
mercy and forgiveness;
show me your face,
Jesus by showing me 
Moses too that I may love
your laws and commandments
that often I see as burdensome
not realizing they actually lead
to true freedom to love and be
faithful to you, Lord;
sow me your face, 
Jesus by showing me too
Elijah, your powerful prophet 
taken to heaven body and soul
by a chariot because he believed
in your words Lord;
show me your face, 
Jesus that my face may
shine with your light 
while I transfigure in you.
Amen.

God’s boundless love and mercy

Lord My Chef Daily Recipe for Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II
Wednesday in the Eighteenth Week of Ordinary Time, Year II, 05 August 2026
Jeremiah 31:1-7     ><))))*> + ><))))*> + ><))))*>     Matthew 15:21-28
Photo by a friend in Washington, 28 July 2026.
Glory and praise 
to you O God our loving Father
with your boundless love
and mercy; your words today
are a beautiful reminder
of how wide is your love and
mercy: in the first reading,
Jeremiah continues to rally our
hopes of your coming redemption
and restoration of Israel
after its fall and conquest by
Assyrians due to their own sinfulness;
in the gospel, a Canaanite woman
who was both a foreigner 
and pagan considered like a "house-dog" 
among Jews persisted
in asking Jesus for the healing
of her daughter;
two stories about central
characters widely different
and divergent yet converged
in the mercy and love of God.

What a beautiful reminder
how our smallest cry in faith
is always heard by God
while our biggest sin
against him can still be forgiven
for as long as we are willing
to change our ways
and most of all,
be contented with scraps
in life.
Amen.
Photo by author, Carmel of the Holy Family Monastery, Guiguinto, Bulacan, January 2026.

Our incurable wound, grievous bruise

Lord My Chef Daily Recipe for Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II
Tuesday in the Eighteenth Week of Ordinary Time, Year II
Memorial of St. John Mary Vianney, Priest, 04 August 2026
Jeremiah 30:1-2, 12-15, 18-22     <*{{{{>< + ><}}}}*>     Matthew 15:1-2, 10-14
Photo by a friend in Washington. 28 July 2026.
Your words today, 
O Lord sound harsh
but I do not mind at all
because you speak as an
honest friend who truly loves
and cares for me;
you speak the truth always
that hurts us because every 
mess we are into this life is
a result of our own making,
of our pride and sinfulness
like Israel and Judah 
conquered and banished 
from their own country
by the Assyrians and the Babylonians:

Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel: Incurable is your wound, grievous your bruise; There is none to plead your cause, no remedy for your running sore, no healing for you. All your lovers have forgotten you, they do not seek you. I struck you as an enemy would strike, punished your cruelly; Why cry out over your wound? Your pain is without relief. Because of your guilt, your numerous sins, I have done this to you (Jeremiah 30:12-15).

Today we also celebrate the feast
of our Patron Saint,
John mary Vianney,
your most holy priest
who bore so much pains
and sufferings not because
of his sins but by the sins of many
around him; we your priests,
O God, have sinned a lot
against you, O God,
through your people,
the flock you have entrusted 
to us: we have hurt them so bad
their wounds are incurable,
their bruise so grievous with some
leaving the Church; 
forgive us, Lord for being too
far from the heart of your Son
Jesus, the Good Shepherd;
cleanse our hearts and make us
realize priesthood is victimhood
like Jesus; let us bear the wounds
inflicted to us by the sheep rather 
than us wounding them.
Deep within your harsh 
words today, Lord,
we feel your deep desire
to heal us,
to free us,
and to renew us;
cleanse our hearts,
Lord, your priests,
purify us to bear all pains
for your people,
to be truly prophetic
so that your people may
realize you are in their midst
and eventually be like you
in Christ Jesus.
Amen.
Photo by author, 2012.

Praying when caught in a storm

Lord My Chef Daily Recipe for Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II
Monday in the Eighteenth Week of Ordinary Time, Year II, 03 August 2026
Jeremiah 28:1-7     ><]]]]'> + ><]]]]'> + ><]]]]'>     Matthew 14:22-36
Photo by author, Cabo de Roca, Pundaquit, San Antonio, Zambales, 15 May 2025.
It is always nice,
dear God our loving Father,
to hear encouraging words -
but not if they are false 
and misleading 
like the prophecy of Hananiah
in our first reading today;
forgive us, Lord,
for always seeking false
hopes in prophets of boom -
on demagogues like most of
our politicians and leaders
and sadly many of us people
and listeners are entertained
and believe their lies without
realizing that "in breaking
a wooden yoke, you forge 
an iron yoke!"
(Jeremiah 28:13)
Truth always hurts
but it is only in accepting
it that we grow and mature;
let us be bold like Jeremiah
in standing by your instructions,
Lord, no matter how unpopular
it may be, no matter how disturbing
and unsettling it may be;
when caught in a storm,
when winds blow so hard
that we lose directions in life
filled with fears
that we grasp for 
whatever that would
pull us through,
may we imitate Peter
in crying out to you, Jesus
with "Lord, save me!"; 
when life seems too harsh
and difficult, may we have the courage
to confront face to face 
life's painful realities 
always.
Amen.
Photo by autor, Anvaya Cove Resort, Morong, Bataan, 21 July 2026.

Jesus our abundance

Lord My Chef Sunday Recipe for Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II
Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle A, 02 August 2026
Isaiah 55:1-3 ><}}}}*> Romans 8:35, 37-39 ><}}}}*> Matthew 14:13-21
Photo by author, Anvaya Cove Resort, Morong, Bataan 21 July 2026.

Salamuch July, hello August! Though this eighth month of the year is named after the Roman emperor Augustus, August actually came from the Latin word augustus meaning venerable; used as an adjective, it describes something as majestic and grand like when we say “august halls” or “august chambers” of power and justice.

So, please stop demonizing August as “ghost month” which is a pagan belief. For us Christians who affirmed last Sunday to Jesus that we have “understood” very well his parables, Matthew challenges us this August not only how well we have understood the parables on the kingdom of heaven but most especially how much do we know and love and trust Jesus the Christ.

Photo by a friend living in Washington state, 28 July 2026.

From the shores of Galilee, Matthew now brings us to the wilderness with Jesus where he fed more than five thousand people from a few loaves of bread and pieces of fish.

When he disembarked and saw the vast crowd, his heart was moved with pity for them, and he cured their sick. When it was evening, the disciples approached him and said, “This is a deserted place and it is already late; dismiss the crowds so that they can go to the villages and buy food for themselves.” Jesus said to them, “There is no need for them to go away; give them some food yourselves.” But they said to him, “Five loaves and two fish are all we have here.” Then he said, “Bring them here to me,” and he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, he said the blessing, broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples, who in turn gave them to the crowds. They all ate and were satisfied, and they picked up the fragments left over – twelve wicker baskets full (Matthew 14:15-20).

See again that distinctive detail Matthew shares with us when Jesus saw the crowds who have followed him and his disciples to the other side of the lake: his heart was moved with pity for them, and he cured their sick. That is how great is the love of Jesus for each of us. He is always moved with pity which is more than a feeling but of actually doing something, even a miracle for us like in this scene in the wilderness.

Life is a wilderness. So vast and uncertain. But, lovely and beautiful. Not really august but grand and majestic, so difficult to explain, often ambiguous, largely mysterious. Even captivating. That is why it is always good to be alive even if life is difficult.

Last Thursday I officiated at the funeral Mass of another best friend from our minor (high school) seminary. In fact, Jonas was my classmate way back in second grade who partly inspired me to become a priest. He is my second best friend after Gil also from the seminary whom I have accompanied spiritually in life and at their deathbeds. Before going to his funeral at prayer in my room, I asked God if I would still have friends alive to attend my own funeral?

The mystery deepened after we have laid Jonas to his final resting place when a few hours later his mother-in-law – the mother of his widow – died too! Imagine the devastation to my friend’s wife who has not rested yet after taking care of him for a month in the hospital then her mother died too? And to their only child just starting her career as a medical doctor?

Photo by a friend living in Washington state, 28 July 2026.

Many times Jesus teases us.

Or seduces us as the Prophet Jeremiah insisted on how God lured him to following him despite the many hurts and pains he had to go through but could not turn away from him because he had grown to loving him so much too.

Like the people who followed Jesus to the wilderness, we gather every Sunday to listen to his words and share in his Body and Blood because we have felt so empty in life that only him could fulfill us.

But, that is so easy to claim as we can readily profess our faith in God, in Jesus Christ but it is different when it is borne out of a wilderness experience like the disciples.

How many times have we felt like them thinking more of our selves than others when in a difficult situation, telling Jesus to send the people home because it was getting late and dark; most of all, so that they could get food for themselves?

It was easy for the crowd to just come to Jesus and think only of themselves but not with the disciples – like our parents, our kuya or ate, our superiors, or those people we look up to with responsibilities over us. That is why be kind with those in positions too. So easy to accuse them of their shortcomings and worst, to spread gossips when we do not realize the enormous weight they carry on their shoulders.

The equation becomes different and heaviest when Jesus tells us to “give them some food yourselves”. It is scary because at that moment Jesus asks us too of “what do you have” which we already knew beforehand as too little. Not enough. Just five loaves of bread and three pieces of fish.

Recall those moments you knew so well your limits, you capacity. And that’s when you start regretting why you have accepted the position or why have you volunteered at all or perhaps why become a priest or why got married?

Photo by author, Anvaya Cove Resort, Morong, Bataan 21 July 2026.

Life is a wilderness that looks so lovely with its sunrise and sunsets but in between, it is so difficult. Because it is in the wilderness of this life when we truly come face to face with the harsh realities of our insecurities and inadequacies, scarcity and emptiness.

But Jesus shows us today that wilderness too becomes our grace-filled moment when he asks us to bring to him whatever little we have. It is the crucial point, turning point when we have to choose between turning to Jesus and trusting his instructions or retreating to our selves, to what we have or believing more to what the world offers.

Let us choose to radically believe in Jesus by surrendering to him whatever we have.

Photo by Mr. Nicko Timbol, OLFU Campus Ministry, 25 October 2025.

This is actually an extension of his question last Sunday, “Do you understand all these things?”

As we have reflected last week, to understand in Filipino is “maunawaan” from the root word “una” which is to be first. To understand the parables of the kingdom of heaven is to entrust ourselves to Jesus completely, to surrender even the little that we have, including our fears and insecurities.

That is why in the first reading God tells us through Isaiah to “come to him” to eat the true bread and drink true water fulfilled in Jesus Christ his Son. To understand all these things is to be convinced that in this life, only God suffices. He alone in Jesus Christ can fulfill our deepest desires and longings like peace and joy, love and hope, all the real reasons for living. Not things. Or even persons and relationships that do not last, often manipulative because not rooted in Christ.

This Sunday, let us not be ashamed of the little that we have, the worst that we have. For as long as we have Jesus, there is nothing that we cannot accomplish nor be fulfilled. St. Paul said so well in the second reading, nothing – not even death – can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord (Rom. 8:39). Amen. Have a blessed august month fulfilled in Christ!