Lord My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul, 22 August 2025
Friday, Memorial of the Queenship of Mary
Isaiah 9:1-6 ><}}}*> + ><}}}*> + ><}}}*> Luke 1:39-47
Eighth days after celebrating
her glorious Assumption into heaven,
we rejoice today, O God,
for your infinite love and mercy
in giving us this Memorial of the Queenship
of the Blessed Virgin Mary;
it is a Friday, the end of school,
the end of work for most of us
and I wonder, loving Father,
what could surprise us today
like when you sent Archangel Gabriel
to Mary in Nazareth
to announce to her
the Good News?
It is raining again, Lord:
we are so drenched in bad news
for weeks while many places
are still literally under water;
we are so fed up with our
leaders who are wolves
in sheep's clothing,
now claiming to know nothing
of the scandals in either
non-existent or non-functional
flood controls.
Surprise us, O God
with your Good News.
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; upon those who dwelled in the land of gloom a light has shone (Isaiah 9:1).
Your light, O God,
has never been extinguished
despite the presence of sin and evil;
teach us to be like Mary,
humbly submitting ourselves
to you and your plan
to bring forth Jesus Christ
our true light
into this world;
surprise us,
Jesus with your grace
to say no to evil
and be firm in our yes
to what is good and just;
surprise us of your presence
in our hearts, Lord
to fill us with courage and trust
in you,
believing your words
will be fulfilled in us too;
surprise us, Jesus
with your enlightenment
to clear all doubts
and shadows
among us like Mary
sharing you with others
as our "Prince of Peace"
and "Wonder-Counsellor"
(Isaiah 9:5).
O most blessed Virgin Mary,
pray that we welcome Jesus Christ
daily in our lives in order to share him
with everyone like you;
as the first of the human race in rank
before God's presence,
as the Mother of Christ our King,
you are our Queen not only as an
honor but an example of discipleship in
your Son Jesus. Amen.
O Mary Queen of heaven,
Pray for us!
Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II
Our Lady of Fatima University
Valenzuela City
(lordmychef@gmail.com)
lordmychef.com 