The “gift” in every “present”

The Lord Is My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II
Tuesday, Memorial of St. Anthony Claret, Bishop, 24 October 2023
Romans 5:12, 15, 17-19   <*((((><  +  ><))))*>   Luke 12:35-38

Praise and glory
to you, God our Father!
So true are the words of
St. Paul everyday, "Where sin
increased, grace overflowed
all the more, so that, as sin
reigned in death, grace also
might reign through justification
for eternal life through
Jesus Christ our Lord"
(Romans 5:20-21).

Every day you bless us,
dear God in Jesus Christ
with the gift of forgiveness
in every present moment 
to start anew and be free 
from bondage to sin
and be free to do what is good,
to become a better person,
a better witness of your
grace of forgiveness, 
prepared "like servants
who gird their loins and 
light their lamp" awaiting his
return with our good deeds
amid all the evil and sin that
persist including death.

Though it is very sad
especially when we turn on the TV
or read in papers all those news
and images of wars and atrocities
that show the reality of how 
humanity is still in solidarity
with Adam in our sinful ways,
may we always remember that 
sin and death have no more 
control over us; the death 
is no longer the end we all fear 
because it is no longer an end 
but a beginning of something better
with Jesus who had overcome it
with his gift of forgiveness in every
here and now, 
in every present
that assures us with eternal life.

May we not waste every
present that is a gift.
Amen.