This is the time of fulfillment

Lord My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II
Monday, First Week in Ordinary Time, Year II, 12 January 2026
1 Samuel 1:1-8     <*((((><  +  ><))))*>     Mark 1:14-20

After John had been arrested, Jesus came to Galilee proclaiming the Gospel of God: “This is the time of fulfillment. The Kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the Gospel” (Mark 1:14-15).

Thank you dear Jesus
for this brand new week,
for this start of Ordinary Time
in our liturgical calendar;
how wonderful to remind us
it is the time of fulfillment,
of completion and wholeness
in you, O Lord because it is only
in you lies our fulfillment.

Teach us to open our hearts
and souls to your call, Jesus
like the brothers Peter and Andrew,
James and John,
your first disciples;
was it really that quick and easy
for them to leave everything behind
including the father of James
and John just to follow you?

Yes, dear Jesus,
like them,
we felt incredulous
and even fearful with your call,
not only last year
but even this year;
in fact, as we begin
our Ordinary Time this Monday,
the more I felt your calling 
continues everyday
because without you
we shall never be complete.

Like Hannah,
our lives will never be complete
and fulfilled without having you
that may take several forms
like a child for Hannah;
many times Lord we wonder
why we cannot have what we
are specifically praying for
like Hannah who has become
a subject of ridicule by others
for being barren and childless;
but, inasmuch as your call continues
for us, then you hereby assure us too
of your continuing works in our
many deficiencies if we can only
be patient and persevering in you
in awaiting your calls.
Amen.