Life of a disciple, a follower

Lord My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul
Monday, Memorial of the First Martyrs of Rome, 30 June 2025
Genesis 18:16-33     <*((((><  +  ><))))*>     Matthew 8:18-22

*Apostle, from "apostolein", 
to be sent forth;
Disciple, from "discipulous",
to follow.

A day after celebrating the
Solemnity of your Apostles
Saints Peter and Paul,
you gave us today Jesus the
memorial of the first martyrs
of the Holy Roman Church
who were killed during the reign
of Nero in 64 A.D.; many of them
were literally used as torches and
lamps when their mutilated bodies
were burned to light the city of Rome.

How inspiring, 
dear Jesus to hear their
story of witnessing their faith
in you at that time;
grant us the same courage today
to always follow you, Jesus,
to follow your footsteps by doing
your work and most specially,
in carrying your Cross;
let us seek sanctity regardless
of our social status, age or
skills.

Let us imitate Abraham in
the first reading who walked
with God, his visitors at Mamre;
like Abraham walking with you,
following you, Lord,
let us work more for the conversion
of others not their judgment;
in following you, Jesus,
let us think more of how to save
followers lost in their directions
in life; instead of leaving them behind
on their own in their evil ways,
may we appeal to God for their
conversion.

May we not be like
the two hesitant disciples
in today's gospel: though
willing to follow you, Jesus,
one was impulsive 
and the other was cautious;
give us courage to do a
sincere reality check today of our
discipleship in you:
help us bring back the joy
and zeal of following you,
Jesus when we started to heed
your call of discipleship;
let us dare again to leave the sides
to walk at the middle of the road 
following you Jesus even to the Cross;
help us bring back that desire
to go near you, Jesus,
to always seek you and follow you
by forgetting our selves;
and like Abraham,
let us be gracious always
to one another as your followers.
Amen.

Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II
Our Lady of Fatima University
Valenzuela City