Easter is being devout in Jesus, the Bread of Life

Lord My Chef Breakfast Recipe by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II
Wednesday in the Third Week of Easter, 07 May 2025
Acts 8:1-8     ><))))*> + ><))))*> + ><))))*>     John 6:35-40

Dearest Jesus,
teach us today to be
truly a "devout" person:
a "devout" disciple,
a "devout" Christian
a "devout" believer in you
like those "Devout men (who)
buried Stephen and made a loud
lament over him" (Acts 8:2).

How interesting, O Lord
that only St. Luke used the word
"devout" in the whole Bible 
to describe some persons in
four instances: in describing Simeon
as a "devout" Jew who praised God
upon seeing the child Jesus at his
presentation at the temple; 
the "devout" Jews from all over the world
who came to worship in Jerusalem on
Pentecost day; the "devout" men who
buried Stephen in the first reading
today; and lastly, Ananias as a "devout"
man who sought Saul after his conversion
to bring him to the early Church. 

You know so well, dear Jesus
how we as a nation is said to be
"devout" Christians but lagging behind
in every aspect of development:
where is our being devout in 
electing into office corrupt candidates?
where is our being devout in
fulfilling our duties and responsibilities
when bridges fall and bollards fail
that kill people especially children?
where is our being devout in
being reckless on the streets
and dirt roads, demeaning total
strangers and local inhabitants?

Oh Jesus, we are doomed by our
own hypocrisies when our being devout
is self-serving when we merely open  
our eyes for things seen outside like
the many devotions and practices
we have filled with pomp and pageantry
because we look more into ourselves than
into seeing Christ in other persons 
must love and respect and care;
what a tragedy that the persecutions 
still going on against Christians are
perpetrated by supposed to be your
devout disciples, devout Christians
who do not care at all in their daily
dealings that could result in deaths
and injuries of so many people 
including children like in the recent
series of road accidents, not to mention
vulgarities and obscenities spewed in the
countless road rages.

Teach us Lord
that a true devout believer
in you is one who always 
seeks you among the least
among our brethren,
one who seeks your Body 
in somebody
to be loved 
and upheld 
as a brother and a sister
so that our being devout
to your Body and Blood
in the Eucharist
becomes a reality
in our dealing with
one another.
Amen.