The Lord Is My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II
Thursday, Sixth Week in Ordinary Time, Year I, 20 February 2025
Genesis 9:1-13 <*{{{{>< + ><}}}}*> Mark 8:27-33
Jesus and his disciples set out for the villages of Caesarea Philippi. Along the way he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” They said in reply, “John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others one of the prophets.” And he asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter said to him in reply, “You are the Christ.” (Mark 8:27-29)
You are always on the move,
Lord Jesus:
you are always moving,
crossing the lake,
hiking in the mountains
and most often,
walking the streets.
What a lovely imagery
of you, Jesus,
always on the road
with me following you,
watching you,
observing you,
sometimes stopping
because of being tired
but you are always there
waiting for me.
And now,
what a lovely scene
of you back on the road again
but this time asking those closest
to you - including me! -
with that most personal question
of all: "But who do you say
that I am?"
Who are you for me, Jesus?
So many, actually.
I may not be as eloquent
like Peter, but no doubt about
who are you for me, Jesus:
my life,
my meaning,
my love,
my hopes,
my fullness.
But,
very often along this
road,
on these streets we walk
and cross,
dear Jesus
when that who are you for me
is shaken,
is tested,
even doubted
like Peter:
how could you allow
yourself and us your followers
suffer and cry,
and die?
He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer greatly and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and rise after three days. He spoke this openly. Then Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him (Mark 8:31-32).
Let us think always
as God does, Jesus,
not as human beings do
seeking fame and prestige,
comfort and wealth,
self and ego;
let me walk closer with you
Jesus on the streets,
on whatever road
you take
upholding that covenant
of God with Noah to
uphold and respect
human life by
"accounting for human
life" (Genesis 9:5);
more than the colorful
rainbows of the skies,
may we always see in your
outstretched arms on the Cross
the true and new covenant
of God with us sealed in
your blood.
Amen.
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