Lord My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II
Tuesday, Sixth Week in Ordinary Time, Year II, 17 February 2026
James 1:12-18 <*((((>< + ><))))*> Mark 8:14-21
Help me understand,
Lord Jesus!
Until now like your Apostles,
I grapple and still baffled
by your immense love for me,
your boundless care and grace
that most of the time I still don't
get what you mean when you
speak to me.
How I see myself
seated there in your boat,
side by side with the Twelve,
thinking along the same line,
still could not get your point
vis-a-vis your recent gifts
and blessings.
No one experiencing temptation should say, “I am being tempted by God”; for God is not subject to temptation to evil, and he himself tempts no one. Rather, each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his desire. Then desire conceives and brings forth sin, and when sin reaches maturity it gives birth to death. Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers and sisters: all good giving and every perfect gift is from above coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is not alteration or shadow caused by change (James 1:13-17).
This is another thing that
must be clarified among us,
Lord Jesus: God tests us but
never tempts us!
God tests us,
allows us to be tested
to strengthen our faith,
to make us grow and mature
as persons dependent in him;
temptations are pressures
and enticements to lure us
into sin,
to disobey God
that comes from many sources
like pride and selfishness,
the world and its comforts,
and the devil himself.
This is the leaven of the Pharisees
we must take guard against always,
Lord Jesus;
keep us focused on you alone,
clear me of doubts
and self-serving interests,
to be always open to you
by sharpening my perception
of your loving presence.
Amen.
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