The Lord Is My Chef Sunday Music by Fr. Nick F. Lalog II, 18 April 2021
Don't want to open your heart You're afraid from the start That a new love's gonna let you down There is something you should know Before you give up and go I don't believe in the run around I just want to define myself And show you how I feel
Yes! We’re feeling so romantic this Sunday because of this great love we’re feeling deep inside.
Like you, we have fallen in love, we have been hurt and disappointed, even felt betrayed and forgotten by a beloved that too often, we have closed our doors to new love, new relationships out of fear of being hurt again.
But, as Daryl Hall and John Oates sang in 1997 from their Marigold Sky album we thought would be their last (thankfully not!)….
If a promise ain't enough Then a touch says everything Got to hold you in my arms Till you feel what I mean Know that my heart just tells me what to say But words can only prove so much If a promise ain't enough Hold onto my love
No… we’re not talking of a special relationship with anyone.
We’re feeling so good today because it is our 23rd year of Ordination to the priesthood – a love relationship like those of between a husband and wife that demands fidelity and trust, respect and kindness, mercy and forgiveness.
And a lot of prayers!
Human love is imperfect; only God can love us perfectly.
Too often in life, we we get hurt in so many ways, some so severe, others may be dismissed but still, every pain always leaves a mark in us that sometimes prevents us from loving again.
The disciples of Jesus felt the same: they thought he was gone after seeing his Crucifixion on Good Friday that when he suddenly appeared to them, they were so amazed and could not believe it so true that the Lord had risen (https://lordmychef.com/2021/04/17/jesus-in-our-midst/).
The same feeling we have when we love again.
When we forgive, when we move on, when we let go and let God.
Whenever we go back to our “Jerusalem” – to our crucifixion and sufferings, we are purified by Jesus, opening our minds and our hearts of how despite all the pains, the gains still outweigh the past that we can look forward to better days ahead as we share in his new life now.
So many times in our lives, in our relationships with one another, Jesus comes as the invisible guest, always appearing, speaking, and sharing meal with us. And after sometime, as we look back to our past, we feel deep inside how our hearts burned during those times we were not aware of Christ’s presence.
It is true, we humans make so many promises to be broken but only Jesus is keeping them.
Welcome him especially amid the many pains and darkness, let his love be perfected in your perseverance and you shall see…
It took a lifetime to find what I want I won't let it get away
If a promise ain't enough Then a touch says everything Got to hold you in my arms Till you feel what I mean Know that my heart just tells me what to say But words can only prove so much If a promise ain't enough Hold onto my love If a promise ain't enough Hold on If a promise ain't enough Hold onto my love
This is one of Hall and Oates’ most loved love songs that tells us the basic truth about love: it is best expressed in actions than in words.
Hold onto God’s love always. Amen.
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