Category: Baptism

Lent is life and healing

40 Shades of Lent by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II
Tuesday in the Fourth Week of Lent, 12 March 2024
Ezekiel 47:1-9, 12     ><))))*> + ><))))*> + ><))))*>     John 5:1-16
Photo by author, 2017.
As we prepare for Easter
in this season of Lent,
you also remind us, 
dear Jesus of our Baptism,
of our being cleansed
to new life in you;
it is in Baptism we have come
into new life in you, Jesus,
becoming children of the Father,
sharing in God's life.

In this season of Lent
amid the dry and sweltering 
summer we now have,
remind us of our true identity
as children of God through Baptism,
that without Jesus our living water,
we die, we lose life, we lose meaning;
keep us one in you,
one with you, Jesus,
our abundant life giving river
like what the Prophet Ezekiel saw
in a vision:

Wherever the river flows, every sort ofn living creatures that can multiply shall live, and there shall be abundant fish, for wherever this water comes the sea shall be made fresh. Along both banks of the river, the fruit trees of every kind shall grow; their leaves shall not fade, nor their fruit fail.

Ezekiel 47:9-12
Most of all, Lord Jesus,
thank you for coming to us,
for approaching us like what 
happened at the pool of Bethesda
to cleanse and heal us 
of our so many infirmities
especially in this highly competitive
world that has become so impersonal;
cleanse and heal, dear Jesus,
our inner hurts due to our own sins
or sins by others, knowingly or unknowingly;
in your mercy, 
wash and cleanse us,
of our many 
fears and anxieties,
anger and bitterness,
frustrations and failures
to start anew in you
this Season of Lent.
Amen.

Rend the heavens, O Lord

The Lord Is My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II
Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, 08 January 2024
Isaiah 55:1-11  <*{{{{>< + ><}}}}*>  Mark 1:7-11
How lovely, dear God our Father,
that at the start of work and classes
this 2024, we heard from Mark
the start of his gospel where he told us
the baptism of your Son Jesus,
the fulfillment of your promises of old
announced by his precursor, John the Baptist.

On coming out of the water he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit, like a dove descending upon him. And a voice came from the heavens, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”

Mark 1:10-11
Oh how I love that part of Mark's narration
of "the heavens being torn open",
so evocative of your power, almighty Father
of intervening into our lives,
of rending the sky to come down
upon us to bring order,
to bring peace,
to bring salvation in Jesus! 
At the end of his gospel,
Mark spoke anew of how Jesus 
at his last breath “rending” the curtain 
at the sanctuary of the temple 
was torn in two from top to bottom (Mk.15:38).
Everyday you open the heavens for us,
dear Father in Christ Jesus, 
calling us your beloved children, 
pouring upon us all your blessings
not only the material things we need
but all good things we need 
to live fully as you have told Isaiah in
the first reading:

Thus says the Lord: All you who are thirsty, come to the water! You who have no money, come, receive grain and eat; come, without paying and without cost, drink wine and milk! Heed me, and you shall eat well, you shall delight in rich fare. Come to me heedfully, listen, that you may have life. I will renew with you the everlasting covenant, the benefits assured to David. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the Lord… so shall my word be that goes forth from my mouth; my word shall not return to me void, but shall do my will, achieving the end for which I sent it.

Isaiah 55:1-3, 8, 11
Loving Father,
let us not reject your call
and invitation in Christ Jesus
to be one with him in this world;
forgive us when most often,
we think of the difficulties in keeping
your commandments without realizing
they are "not burdensome" (1 John 5:3)
because the more we sin,
the more life gets harder
and difficult for us.
Let us hold on your assurance of love 
on this feast of the Lord's baptism,
of how your favor rests upon us in Christ Jesus;
let us heed your calls so we may see
you rending the heavens apart,
coming to our rescue,
coming to our aid
in your loving presence.
Amen.