The Lord Is My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II Tuesday in the Thirty-fourth Week of Ordinary Time, Year II, 26 November 2024 Revelation 14:14-19 <*((((>< + ><))))*> Luke 21:5-11
Photo by author, San Antonio, Zambales, 19 October 2024
It happens so often, Lord Jesus Christ - just as when we are enjoying something like a vacation, exactly at that moment too when it ends or, at least, its coming end is felt and realized?
While some people were speaking about how the temple was adorned with costly stones and votive offerings, Jesus said, “All that you see here – the days will come when there will not be left a stone upon another stone that will not be thrown down.” Then they asked him, Teacher, when will this happen? And what sign will there be when all these things are about to happen?” (Luke 21:5-7)
What a paradox, a mystery so beautiful that inspires us to live more fully than sulk with life's sure endings like what your words tell us today:
I, John, looked and there was a white cloud, and sitting on the cloud one who looked like a son of man, with a gold crown on his head and a sharp sickle in his hand (Revelation 14:14).
Endings are beginnings, Lord; everything and everyone shall end in order to begin anew; despite the destruction, endings happen to build up new beginnings, to signal another start.
Teach us, dear Jesus, to be ready always, to prepare for our endings by living fully, celebrating life in your love that banishes all fears like death and endings. Amen.
The Lord Is My Chef Sunday Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus, King of the Universe, 24 November 2024 Daniel 7:13-14 ><}}}}*> Revelation 1:5-8 ><}}}}*> John 18:33-37
Photo by author, Bohol Sea scene from Salum Dive Resort, Dauin, Negros Oriental, 10 November 2024.
We are now on the final Sunday of the year, the Solemnity of Jesus Christ, King of the Universe. Next Sunday we begin the Season of Advent, the official countdown to Christmas which is the birth of Jesus Christ, King of kings.
See how our Church calendar begins and ends each year in Jesus Christ’s eternal kingship as seen by Prophet Daniel in his vision (first reading); Christ’s coming to the world was not an addendum or a plan B of God because Jesus has been enthroned at His side, conferred with “dominion, glory, and kingship” (Dn. 7:14).
“Ecce Homo” painting by Vicente Juan Masip (1507-1579) from masterapollon.com
Jesus reiterated this in our gospel this Sunday from John’s account of His trial before Pilate, His first “face-to-face” with a representative of political power. According to St. John Paul II in an interview published in 1994 (Crossing the Threshold of Hope), this scene continues to happen when we, too, like Pilate put God on trial when we insist in doing what we perceive as right and true. Let’s try to enter this scene to unravel its many layers of truth about ourselves who are actually the ones in trial, not Jesus Christ.
Pilate said to Jesus, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus answered, “Do you say this on your own or have others told you about me?” Pilate answered, “I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests handed you over to me. What have you done?” Jesus answered, “My kingdom does not belong to this world…” So Pilate said to him, “Then you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say I am a king, for this I was born and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice” (John 18:33-36, 37).
Photo by Ms. Ria De Vera, Christ the King procession during COVID, November 2020.
From the very start of His trial before Pilate, we find Jesus so “cool” – so sure of everything, actually the One in control of the trial despite the sarcasm of Pilate who, eventually, would be the one to give in to the penetrating truth of Christ.
In fact, we find here how Pilate was already inclined to the truth of Christ as the King as he later affirmed unconsciously when he wrote the inscription on the Cross, “Jesus the Nazorean, the King of the Jews” that the priests tried to edit but Pilate insisted, “what I have written, I have written” (cf. Jn.19:19-22).
Many times like Pilate, the more we try to justify our sins or inclinations to evil with our various excuses and alibis, the more we sink deeper into admitting the truth that Jesus Christ is King, that He is truth and good Himself. We imitate Pilate’s sarcasm even with God through others like our parents or elders, teachers, even friends who truly love us and care for us as we remain adamant with our wrong beliefs and points of view.
Photo by Mr. Joey Principe, Parish of St. Joseph the Worker, Jaro, Iloilo, 10 November 2024.
What really gave away Pilate – and us – in the process of our trial of Jesus was his final question which I love so much, “What have you done?”
Pilate was sincerely trying to know the truth about Jesus as he was evidently irritated with the case thrown to him by the priests and scribes. His asking Jesus “Are you the King of the Jews?” was a request for clarification as a Roman state official because the word “king” meant only one thing.
And here is the twist in our own days – it is the same question we unconsciously ask Jesus so often to clarify too!
How many times have we sought clarification on the kingship of Jesus especially in this modern time when we discuss divorce, abortion, same-sex marriage, and almost everything from clothes we wear to how we conduct ourselves in this modern time that has become so relative and permissive in morals?
Every time we put Jesus on trial when we insist on what we want and what we believe in, the Pilate within us question Jesus, what have you done? Let us count them… you may add .
"What have you done, Jesus?"
You have forgiven our sins, Jesus, giving us new chances in life daily; You have saved us, Jesus, from many instances when we felt so lost, even gone that's why we are still intact at this very moment in our lives; You have consoled us, Jesus, in countless times that made us to keep believing, hoping, and trusting God and others; You love us so much, Jesus, in ways we can't believe nor understand that's why we too keep on loving despite the hurts and pains; and the list goes on and on and on... that makes You truly our King, Jesus!
Photo by author, Chapel of St. Francis Xavier, Sacred Heart Novitiate, Novaliches, QC, 20 March 2024.
See that when we remember everything Jesus had done to us, we also realize His being a King of different kind who never forced us to believe Him nor follow Him unlike the powerful people of the world.
Jesus as a King simply invites us gently and lovingly to come to Him to find rest and comfort when we are burdened in life. There were times when we have felt Jesus just closed His eyes to our many sins and imperfections, not even reminding us of our shameful selves like when He washed the dirty feet of His Apostles after their last supper.
Jesus never threatened us when we were in the height of our pride and stupidity and instead waited patiently for us to come home to Him like the prodigal son. He never locked us, allowing us to go and explore everything, standing by just in case we cross the point of no return.
Photo by author, St. Scholastica Retreat House, Baguio City, 2023.
Whatever Jesus had done to us, it is always good and comforting, beyond our expectations and imaginations like healing us of our every sickness, feeding us and clothing us when we were hungry and naked, even cleansed us when we were so dirty and untidy.
Therefore, this Sunday as we celebrate the Solemnity of Christ the King, let us cast off all our fears of Jesus taking away our perceived “kingdoms” like King Herod who ordered all infants and children killed on that first Christmas upon hearing the news of “the birth of the king of the Jews” (Mt. 2:2).
Jesus never said “My kingdom is not in this world” because His kingdom while not of this world is right here below on earth that is why John tells us in the second reading from his vision of the end of time, Jesus is coming again here on earth to take us to eternity. The Kingdom of Jesus is here in the world but not of this world; similarly, we are in this world but we are called not to be of this world for our true citizenship is in heaven.
This Sunday, Jesus is asking us in the most personal manner, what have I done to you that have kept you running away from Me? Most lovely of all is that Jesus never asked us what have we done to Him nor for Him… Let us pray:
Lord Jesus Christ, my Lord and my God, You have done so much good to me and I have done so little for You and for others; reign in my heart so that I can make others experience Your loving kind of Kingship. Amen.
The Lord Is My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II Wednesday in the Thirty-Third Week of Ordinary Time, Year II, 20 November 2024 Revelation 4:1-11 <*((((>< + ><))))*> Luke 19:11-28
Photo by author, sunrise in Dumaguete City, 11 November 2024.
How lovely are your words these past days, dear Lord, of Bartimaeus gaining his sight and Zacchaeus being raised in his stature before you in his conversion.
We are Bartimaeus and Zacchaeus!
Grant us, Jesus vision more than sight to see beyond material things so that we may aspire always to rise above our many shortness in life.
Open our hearts and our minds like John to experience a vision of God, of heaven amid all the darkness and sufferings in this life.
I, John, had a vision of an open door to heaven, and I heard the trumpetlike voice that had spoken to me before, saying, “Come up here and I will show you what must happen afterwards” (Revelation 4:1).
You are beyond descriptions, God our Father like what John saw in his vision; teach us to submit ourselves to You in prayer and silence than manipulate who You really are so beyond understanding!
“He replied, ‘I tell you, to everyone who has, more will be given, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. Now as for those enemies of mine who did not want me as their king, bring them here and slay them before me.'” After Jesus had said this, he proceeded on his journey up to Jerusalem (Luke 19:26-28).
Like Zacchaeus yesterday, he realized that to rise in one's stature is actually to go down, to be humble to allow Jesus raise us up in His loving mercy; take away our worldly thoughts about "Jerusalem" and learn to lose ourselves in You, Jesus, to truly see the glory awaiting us in You. Amen.
Photo by author, Bohol Sea from Salum Dive Resort, Dauin, Negros Or., 10 November 2024.
Lawiswis ng Salita ni P. Nicanor F. Lalog II, Ika-31 ng Oktubre 2024
Larawan kuha ni G. Jim Marpa, 2018.
“Say it with flowers” ang marahil isa na sa mga pinakamabisa at totoong pagpapahayag ng saloobin sa lahat ng pagkakataon. Wala ka na talagang sasabihin pa kapag ikaw ay nagbigay ng bulaklak kanino man. Ano man ang okasyon. Buhay man. O patay na.
Mababango at makukulay na bulaklak. Mas maganda at mas mahal, pinakamabuti lalo’t higit kung ibibigay sa sinisinta upang mabatid nilalaman ng dibdib ng isang mangingibig.
Larawan kuha ng may-akda sa Benguet, 12 Hulyo 2023.
Sa buong daigdig, nag-iisang wika at salita ang mga bulaklak na ginagamit upang ihatid ang tuwa at kagalakan sa sino man nagdiriwang ng buhay at tagumpay, maging ng kagalingan at lakas sa may tinitiis na sakit at hilahil. Sari-saring kulay, hugis at anyo, iisa ang pinangungusap ng bulaklak sa lahat ng pagkakataon, buhay at kagalakan at kaisahan ng magkakaibigan at magkasintahan, mag-asawa at mag-anak, magkaano-ano man.
Marahil kasunod nating mga tao, ang mga bulaklak na ang pinakamagagandang nilikha ng Diyos upang ipadama at ilarawan sa atin Kanya at maging atin ding katapatan at kadalisayan ng loobin at hangarin. Alalahanin paalala ni Jesus sa atin, “Isipin ninyo kung paano sumisibol ang mga bulaklak sa parang…maging si Solomon ay hindi nakapagsuot ng kasingganda ng isa sa mga bulaklak na ito, bagamat napakariringal ang mga damit niya” (Mt. 6:28, 29).
Larawan kuha ng may-akda sa Benguet, 12 Hulyo 2023.
Kapag ako ay nagkakasal, palagi kong ipinaaalala sa magsing-ibig ang kahulugan ng maraming gayak na bulaklak sa dambana ng simbahan na nagpapahiwatig ng larawan ng Paraiso.
Alalaong baga, bawat Sakramento ng Kasal ay “marriage made in heaven” – malayang ginawa at pinagtibay ng magsing-ibig sa harap ng Diyos at ng Kanyang Bayan sa loob ng simbahan. Kaya wika ko sa kanila, ipagpatuloy ang pagbibigay ng bulaklak sa maybahay kahit hindi anibersaryo, lalo na kapag mayroon silang “lover’s quarrel” bilang tanda ng “ceasefire”.
Kaya naman maski sa kamatayan, mayroon pa ring mga bulaklak na ibinibigay tanda hindi lamang ng pagmamahal kungdi ng pag-asa na harinawa, makapiling na ng yumao ang Diyos at Kanyang mga Banal sa langit. Gayon din naman, dapat katakutan ng sino mang buhay pa ang padalhan ng korona ng patay o bulaklak sa patay dahil babala ito ng masamang balak laban sa kanyang buhay.
Lamay ni Mommy noong Mayo 7, 2024; paborito niya ang kulay pink at bulaklak na carnation.
Dagdag kaalaman ukol sa mga bulaklak sa patay: isang dahilan kaya pinupuno ng maraming mababangong bulaklak ang pinaglalamayan ng patay ay upang matakpan masamang amoy ng yumao dahil noong unang panahon, wala pa namang maayos na sistema ng pag-eembalsamo maging ng mga gamot para ma-preserve ang labi ng yumao. Kapansin-pansin ngayon lalo sa social media kapag mayroong namamatay, ipinapahayag ng mga naulila na huwag nang magbigay o mag-alay ng mga bulaklak bagkus ay ibigay na lamang sa favorite charity ng yumao. Kundangan kasi ay malaking halaga ng pera ang magagarang bulaklak sa patay; kesa ipambili yamang malalanta rin naman, minamabuti ng mga naulila ng yumao na mag-donate na lamang sa favorite charity ng pumanaw nilang mahal sa buhay.
Marahil ay hindi ito matatanggap hindi lamang ng mga Pilipino kungdi ng karamihan ng tao sa buong mundo; higit pa ring napapahayag ang pakikiramay at pagmamahal sa namatay at mga naulila sa pamamagitan ng bulaklak dahil malalim na katotohanang taglay ng mga ito.
Larawan kuha ng may-akda, 2018.
Tuwing Sabado Santo noong nasa parokya pa ako, gustung-gusto ko palagi sa aming umagang panalangin (lauds) na ipinahahayag iyong tagpo ng paglilibing kay Hesus.
Sa pinagpakuan kay Jesus ay may isang halamanan, at dito’y may isang bagong libingang hindi pa napaglilibingan. Yamang noo’y araw ng Paghahanda ng mga Judio, at dahil sa malapit naman ang libingang ito, doon nila inilibing si Jesus (Juan 19:41-42).
Inilibing si Jesus sa may halamanan, garden sa Inggles. Nagpapahiwatig muli ng Paraiso, hindi ba.
Kay sarap namnamin ng tagpo ng Pasko ng Pagkabuhay ni Jesus doon sa “halamanan” na muli ay paalala sa atin ng “return to Paradise”, “return to Eden” ika nga. Kaya nang lapitan ni Jesus si Magdalena nang umiiyak dahil wala ang Panginoon sa libingan, napagkamalan niya si Jesus bilang hardinero.
Larawan kuha ng may-akda, halamanan sa St. Agnes Catholic Church, Jerusalem, Mayo 2017.
Noong Martes, sinabi ni Jesus sa ebanghelyo na ang paghahari ng Diyos ay “Katulad ng isang butil ng mustasa na itinamin ng isang tao sa kanyang halaman” (Lk.13:19).
Bawat isa sa atin ay halamanan ng Diyos, a garden of God. A paradise in ourselves.
Maraming pagkakataon pinababayaan natin ating mga sarili tulad ng halamanang hindi dinidilig ni nililinang. Kung minsan naman, hindi nating maintindihan sa kabila ng ating pangangalaga, tila walang nangyayari sa ating sarili, tulad ng halamanang walang tumubo o lumago, mamunga o mamulaklak sa kabila ng pagaasikaso?
Nguni’t maraming pagkakataon din naman na namumulaklak, nagbubunga tayo tulad ng halamanan dahil ang tunay na lumilinang sa atin ay ang Panginoong Diyos na mapagmahal!
Ilang araw pagkaraan ng Pasko nang kami’y magtanghalian ng barkada, 2023.
Noong Disyembre 2022, umuwi isa naming dating teacher at kaming magkakaibigan ay nagsama-sama para sa isa pang dati naming kasama sa ICSM-Malolos, si Teacher Ceh.
Umuwi siya mula Bahrain noong 2020 dahil sa cancer at sumailalim siya ng chemotherapy.
Dahil Pasko, niregaluhan ko siya ng orchid.
Enero 2023 namasyal kami sa Tagaytay at napakasaya namin noon. Gustung-gusto niyang pinupuntahan ang Caleruega tuwing umuuwi siya mula Bahrain kung saan siya nagturo matapos mag-resign sa aming diocesan school.
Ang akala namin ay papagaling na si Teacher Ceh at dadalas na aming pagkikitang magkakaibigan mula noong simula ng 2023. Pagkatapos ng huli niyang chemotherapy noong Setyembre, nabatid na mababagsik kanyang cancer cells at hindi nagtagal, pumanaw si Teacher Ceh noong ika-16 ng Oktubre 2023.
Larawan kuha ng may-akda, 16 Oktubre 2024.
Isang araw bago sumapit kanyang babang-luksa, ibinalita sa amin ng kanyang Ate na umuwi mula Amerika na buhay at namumulaklak ang bigay kong orchid kay Teacher Ceh. Dinala niya ito nang magmisa ako sa kanyang puntod kinabukasan para sa kanyang ibis luksa.
Laking tuwa namin sa gitna ng nakakikilabot na pagkamangha nang makita naming magkakaibigan ang regalo kong orchids kay Teacher Ceh.
Isa’t kalahating taon pagkaraan naming huling magsama-samang magkakaibigan, isang taon makalipas ng kanyang pagpanaw, buhay at namulaklak pa rin ang orchid kong bigay sa kanya na tila nangungusap na masayang-masaya, buhay na buhay si Teacher Ceh doon sa langit!
Sa aking silid; bigay lamang po iyang halaman na iyan at di ko alam pangalan.
Ako man ay nagtataka. Kung kailan wala na aking Mommy, saka ako nakakabuhay ng mga halaman. Green thumb kasi si Mommy.
Kahit maliit lamang aming lupain, sagana siya sa pananim mula sa mga rosas at orchids, cactus at mga mayana, mga sari-saring halaman sa paso maging papaya, atis, langka, pati kamote at sili sa gilid ng bahay namin ay mayroon siya.
Ito yung flower vase ng mga napatay kong waterplant sa dati kong assignment; ayaw ko sanang dalhin sa paglipat dito sa Valenzuela pero awa ng Diyos, buhay pa halaman mula 2021.
Nakakatawa, ako hindi makabuhay ng halaman. Muntik pa akong bumagsak ng first year high school sa gardening kasi hindi ako makabuhay ng ano mang panananim maliban sa kamote. Sabi ni Mommy sa akin noon, kapag iyong kamote hindi ko pa nabuhay, ako ang talagang kamote!
Nang magkaroon ako ng sariling parokya noong 2011, nakakadalaw pa siya at simba sa amin noon tuwing Linggo. Ipinagyabang ko sa kanya mga alaga kong water plants sa kuwarto ngunit pagkaraan ng ilang buwan, namatay mga iyon. Sabi niya ulit sa akin, “ano ka ba naman anak, water plant na lang napapatay mo pa? Masyadong mainit iyong mga kamay,” aniya.
Hoya daw ito na nakuha ko noong aking personal retreat sa Sacred Heart Novaliches noong 2022; buhay pa rin hanggang ngayon sa aking banyo.
Isang bagay nakalimutan kong sabihin kay Mommy bago siya mamatay ay nakakabuhay na ako ng water plant sa kuwarto ko sa bago kong assignment sa Fatima Valenzuela.
Ako ay nagugulat sa sarili ko ngunit ngayon ko lamang napagnilayan nang makita ko ang orchids na regalo ko kay Teacher Ceh: apat na taon nang buhay aking mga water plant sa kwarto mula nang malipat ako dito noong 2021.
Hindi ko rin alam pangalan ng halamang ito na bigay sa akin pero nakapagpatubo na ako ng isa pa niyang sanga nasa aking office sa University; yung orchids bigay sa akin noong Abril, wala nang bulaklak pero buhayn pa rin. Himala!
Parang sinasabi sa akin ng mga alagang kong water plant na marahil, buhay na buhay at tuwang tuwa na rin si Mommy at nakabuhay ako ng halaman.
Kasi sabi niya kasi sa aking noong maliit pa ako, dapat daw marunong akong mag-alaga ng halaman at hayop dahil tanda raw iyon na makakabuhay na rin ako ng tao.
Siguro nga. Kaya ko nang mabuhay maski wala na siya, paalala marahil nitong aking mga halaman. Flowers for you, kaibigan.
Quiet Storm by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II, 29 October 2024
Photo by author, entering the Nagsasa Cove in San Antonio, Zambales, 19 October 2024.
I have always imagined God must be like Jewish director Steven Spielberg. According to an article I have read long ago, Spielberg would always hide sets of important scenes to capture the real emotions of his actors and actresses during shooting. One example was the Raiders of the Lost Ark series where Harrison Ford’s expressions were very natural.
And that exactly was how I felt God in Nagsasa Cove on that lovely weekend of October 19.
Nagsasa’s white beach is actually lahar from Mount Pinatubo’s 1990 eruption that also brought those lush Agojo trees.
From the sea to the cove, I was already so enchanted, even enthralled with the scenery, the sparkling waters with its gentle breeze blowing, so clean and crisp. A taste of paradise.
After a few sips of wine in the warm waters of Nagsasa Cove, I ventured inland. Lo and behold! I immediately went back to our boat to get my cellphone as I told my companions how lovely is the river at the back. That was when Sir Benet Galang, owner of Agojo Beach, willingly joined to guide us deeper inland.
According to Sir Benet, some trekkers who have gone there told him the scene was like New Zealand which he could not verify because he has not been down there yet. One thing for sure, though, he has not seen any hobbits dwelling there except a few gentle Aetas in a settlement area who often guide hikers up the Pundaquit Mountain range.
I forgot to bring my slippers but what the heck! I have always loved walking on earth barefoot, so close to nature, so close with God, reminding me of the burning bush event of Moses when told to take off his sandals because he was on a sacred ground.
That’s Nagsasa Cove, a sacred ground.
The river is very stony but very clear. Water is warm on top but as you dip, it gets cold. Parang beer!
One realizes upon coming here is the great gift God has given our country, a gift so precious that we ought to take care. From here, one may hike to the mountain in about four hours with Aetas as guides.
A lot of greenery… and trees.
A young Agojo tree which is a variety of pine trees.
So many sights to behold, things one will never see in the city nor provinces these days.
I was fascinated with the mushrooms growing on this stump of an Agojo tree…
Again, I prayed this area would be spared of roads and big businesses to keep its beauty and charm intact. Residents are very organized, requiring vendors from outside to ensure they take back their waste and litter. During summer, each vendor of any goods is asked to fill a sack of litter to ensure the surroundings are well maintained.
If you are a nature lover, planning to have an entirely “me time”, I strongly recommend Nagsasa Cove.
No problem with food and accommodations there from simple tents to ones like this and air conditioned kubo…
Just come as you are and surely you shall come home filled with good memories and sights. Most of all, fulfilled in yourself.
Piso na lang, nasa langit ka na! Promise. See yah!
*All photos and videos taken by author using iPhone12. *Check FB page of Agojo Beach for details.
The Lord Is My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II Monday in the Twenty-ninth Week of Ordinary Time, Year II, 21 October 2024 Ephesians 2:1-10 <*((((>< + ><))))*> Luke 12:13-21
Photo by author, the pristine Nagsasa Cove in San Antonio, Zambales, 19 October 2024.
Your words today, O loving God through St. Paul are so refreshing, so lovely to read and hear, very reassuring especially for those of us losing hope in life, those so tired and exhausted, those about to give up; let us sing joyfully to You, O Lord, and serve You gladness!
For we are his handiwork, created in Christ Jesus for the good works God has prepared in advance, that we should live in them (Ephesians 2:10).
Everything that we have become, every good and beautiful thing we do is simply because of You, O God, at work in us, through us; what a great honor, O God You made us so good and beautiful, You brought us here, You sent us for a mission; let us be open in order to give our unconditional "YES" to Jesus Christ in faith daily so that we may do continue your work in keeping this a better and more humane world; let us give our unconditional "YES" to Jesus daily so we may experience your guidance and help in our undertakings to reflect You, dear God, so that it is You who is always found and recognized in everything we do that is true, good, and beautiful; let us not be preoccupied with so much material wealth and fame that fills us with greed unable to satisfy the deepest longings of our hearts found only in You. Amen.
Photo by author, river leading to Nagsasa Cove, San Antonio, Zambales, 19 October 2024.
The Lord Is My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II Thursday in the Twenty-sixth Week of Ordinary Time, Year II, 03 October 2024 Job 19:21-27 <*((((>< + ><))))*> Luke 10:1-12
Photo by Mr. Jay Javier, 07 September 2024.
God our loving Father:
Grant me the "patience of Job". Like him, everyday I go through many trials and sufferings: some are of my own-making, some can be explained and understood, but most often, many of them are a mystery, beyond explanations, beyond comprehension. Yes, Lord: many times I have so many questions in life that are left unanswered but like Job, I believe You alone knows everything I am going through, especially the pains and hurts, the difficulties and hardships.
But as for me, I know that my Vindicator lives, and that he will at last stand forth upon the dust; Whom I myself shall see: my own eyes, not another’s, shall behold him, And from my flesh I shall see God: my inmost being is consumed with longing (Job 19:25-27).
Thank you for calling me, for sending me into your great harvest; how lovely are your words, "The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master to send out laborers for his harvest" (Matthew 10:2); so many times, we think the solution to our problems are found in things without knowing nor realizing what we need are more people willing to labor with somebody else's pains and hurts, people willing to labor for people so lost in the mysteries of life saddled with many things without clear explanations except to be patient like Job, trusting that in the end, our vindication is in You. Amen.
The Lord Is My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II Wednesday in the Twenty-fifth Week of Ordinary Time, Year II, 25 September 2024 Proverbs 30:5-9 <*((((>< + ><))))*> Luke 9:1-6
Photo by author, Sacred Heart Novitiate, Novaliches, QC, 20 March 2024.
Jesus said to them, “Take nothing for the journey, neither walking stick, nor sack, nor food, nor money, and let no one take a second tunic” (Luke 9:3).
Lord Jesus, bless me to continue in this journey with You, in You, taking nothing but You; at first, I could not believe it to be true that many times, I doubted, taking so many things with me in this journey; but, as we walk farther, Lord, the more I realized, that indeed, I need to take nothing.
The farther we journey, Jesus, the more I take and bring, the more difficult, the slower I move; so true that the truly rich among us is the one whose who needs least in life; grant me the grace, O Lord, the grace of integrity, of wholeness and harmony between my inner self and outward behavior; like the author of the Proverbs, "give me neither poverty nor riches; provide me only with the food I need; lest being full, I deny you or being in want, I steal, and profane the name of my God" (30:9). Amen.
The Lord Is My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II Wednesday in the Twenty-third Week of Ordinary Time, Year II, 11 September 2024 1 Corinthians 7:25-31 <*[[[[>< + ><]]]]*> Luke 6:20-26
Photo by author at Anvaya Beach Resort, Morong, Bataan, April 2024.
I tell you, brothers, the time is running out. From now on, let those having wives act as not having them, those weeping as not weeping, those rejoicing as not rejoicing, those buying as not owning, those using the world as not using it fully. For the world in its present form is passing away (1 Corinthians 7:29-31).
Thank you, dear Father for these timely and wonderful reminders as we often compare our selves with others or are never contented with what we have or where we stand, always wondering amid great temptations that "the grass is greener at the other side of the fence."
Teach us contentment in your Son Jesus Christ; teach us dear Father to be always aware of the day of the Lord, of Parousia; while many times most Christians believe in parousia, only a few believe it will happen in their lifetime; many of us forget that even if the parousia does not occur in our lifetime, our life will definitely end, making us stand before the judgment seat of Christ for sure; help us realize that to live as if our life will never end is the height of folly, while to live with the knowledge that our life will end is the beginning of wisdom. That is why, Jesus calls us blessed when we are poor, when we hunger, when we weep, when we are hated and maligned because in your beatitudes you make us look forward what is beyond material and temporary, that is passing away; let us set our sights more on things that shall remain after everything has ended, with things that shall persist in eternity like our souls and You, O God. Amen.
The Lord Is My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II Thursday, Memorial of the Passion of John the Baptist, 29 August 2024 Jeremiah 1:17-19 <*{{{{>< + ><}}}}*> Mark 6:17-29
Photo from catholicworldreport.com, “The Beheading of St. John the Baptist” (1869) by Pierre Puvis de Chevannes.
A precursor of the Lord's birth, a precursor of the Lord's death. What a great task you have entrusted, O God, to John the Baptist and to us as well; many times, we forget this role of our being like John in life and in death, always standing and speaking what is true and just.
Forgive us, O God, when more often we have allowed ourselves to be like Herodias who "harbored a grudge against John."
Herod was the one who had John the Baptist arrested and bound in prison on account of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip, whom he had married. John had said to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” Herodias harbored a grudge against him and wanted kill him but was unable to do so (Mark 6:17-19).
Take away, O Lord Jesus, the many grudges we have, festering in our hearts, eating up our very selves, and poisoning our relationships especially with those closest to us; heal us, most merciful Jesus, of the grudges that have tore us apart and make us whole again as persons, family and friends; take away within us whatever vestiges of grudges we have against anyone so we may move forward in life, let go of revenge and ill desires for those who may have hurt us.
"In you, O Lord, I take refuge; let me never be put to shame. In your justice rescue me, and deliver me; incline your ear to me, and save me" (Psalm 71:1) instead of harboring grudges inside me against anyone. Amen.
“Salome with the Head of John the Baptist” painting by Caravaggio (1607) at the National Gallery of London; photo from en.wikipedia.org.
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