Category: death

Being wise, not foolish

Lord My Chef Sunday Recipe for Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II
Thirty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle A, 08 November 2026
Wisdom 6:12-16  ><}}}}*>  1Thessalonians 4:13-18  ><}}}}*>  Matthew 25:1-13
Photo by author, entrance to Bran Castle, aka, Dracula Castle, in Romania, November 2025.

As we enter into the penultimate month of 2026, notice how we show our complete folly in our Christian faith. Every year in November during Undas while we troop to cemeteries and churches to pray for our departed loved ones, there are still many who parade their children as vampires in complete ignorance of the true meaning of Halloween that is literally “hallowed evenin'” or holy evening. When what is truly wise is to dress their children as little saints, some parents imitate the benighted souls in the West celebrating horror and evil masked in trick or treat.

This cycle of folly is spread by some news media stories of buildings haunted by evil spirits while some schools with the most Catholic names encourage their students to submit scary stories of their paranormal experiences in their campus supposed to have been blessed and most likely where Masses are regularly celebrated. Most absurd and stupid of all is a hospital with the Blessed Virgin Mary as patroness having spooky Halloween decorations of bats and vampires at their ground floor offices and facilities.

These follies continue into December every year in the Metro Manila Film Festival that always feature a film or two dealing with either diabolic or irreverent themes at the time the whole Christendom is celebrating the birth of the Son of God who saved the world from evil and sin! All these on top of the complete commercialization of Christmas led by G-cash shamelessly advocating gift-giving in monetary terms.

Why all the “like” for what is low and gross, for social media contents that are lewd and obscene when we are supposed to be Christians who are wise?

Jesus told his disciples this parable: “The kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were wise. The foolish ones, when taking their lamps, brought no oil with them, but the wise brought flasks of oil with their lamps. Since the bridegroom was long delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep (Matthew 25:1-5).

Photo by author, sunset at Subic Bay, 02 November 2026.

Sorry for the “rant” but this Sunday’s parable is very timely especially for us today if you examine why Jesus chose to mention first the foolish virgins and not the wise ones: is it because being foolish is one problem we all have, a sort of cancer or contagious disease afflicting everyone like during his time?

The kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were wise.

Many times there are nuggets of truth in social media like those posts claiming the problem in the world today is that there are more foolish people than wise ones. What makes this reality so bad is how the foolish ones are often the most confident and noisy with the tragic result of having more followers who elect them into into politics or appoint to head government offices without any competencies at all.

Being foolish like those five virgins who did not bring extra oil for their lamps is to live as if there is no God, that there is no final reckoning with God at the end of time, acting impiously with what the psalmist says, The fool says in his heart, “There is no God” (Psalm 14:1).

The fools are always the most self-centered, selfish people who think only of themselves, believing the world revolves around them, so foolishly convinced they are indispensable in life not realizing we would be better off without them actually. They may have lamps lighted for a while but are soon dimmed because inside they are empty and shallow, with nothing substantial really to keep their lamps.

And what is the most substantial oil we need in our lamps, in this life that even if we drowse or fall asleep, we can still keep going through? God, of course!

Photo by author, sunset at Subic Bay, 02 November 2026.

Resplendent and unfading is wisdom, and she is readily perceived by those who love her, and found by those who seek her… For taking thought of her is the perfection of prudence, and whoever for her sake keeps vvigil shall quickly be free from care; because she makes her own rounds, seeking those worthy of her, and graciously appears to them in the ways, and meets them with all solicitude (Wisdom 6:12, 15-16).

How lovely is the author’s portrayal of wisdom as a person, the very person of God always present among us, so willing to be with us to help us in life. But, who searches her? Who really desires her?

To be wise is to desire God always. Without any desire for God and his holiness and attributes is complete folly. It is living only for the moment, living to eat and drink, then die. Without any desire for God is to not have any hope at all which is the opposite of love because without any hope, that is when we start destroying lives and things, exactly what those violent protesters did in Paris recently. Or anywhere else.

People without hope are like the foolish virgins in the parable who do not bring extra oil for their lamps because they see everything in darkness, who could not find things and life could still get better like those involved into extra-judicial killings, terrorisms and yes, leaders and nations who wage wars because they find the world so bad and evil that they have lost any hope for a better tomorrow, no room for dialogue and diplomacy that their only solution is to kill and annihilate others. So sad and tragic that these continue in our own time despite our being “modern” and advanced.

To think of wisdom, to desire God brings true freedom because that is when our mind and heart are no longer encumbered with concerns about worthless things in this life and world we keep on foolishly pursuing. The best part of it is that God is never far from those who truly seeks him!

Again, we congratulate and thank most of all, the great Alex Eala in her recent victories in Hong Kong especially in her interview after her match with Tereza Valentova when she said that being tired is a blessing.

Who does not get tired fighting in this cruel world?

Of course, we all get tired. Jesus tells us today that like those ten virgins, it is normal to fall asleep, to falter and fail sometimes. What makes the wise so unique from the foolish is that extra oil they have within, that glimmer of hope in the darkest nights of life fueled by our deep faith in God that there would always be something good in the battles we wage daily in life.

Here Alex Eala is the modern wise virgin with a lot of extra oil for her lamp, illumining the many dark areas in our lives especially of those those striving to live decently, patas na lumalaban sa buhay. Hindi korap!

Being wise is to believe in final judgement, in the resurrection of the dead at the end of time which nobody knows when would come. The wise simply goes on in life, living to the fullest, believing firmly in God, hoping fervently in him, and serving others in love like him as St. Paul reminds us the second reading.

Rest, my dear friends. It is a blessing to be tired, to fall asleep. Don’t forget to have that extra oil within always, Jesus Christ we receive in the Holy Eucharist to keep that fire burning to light us in the many darkness of life. Amen. God bless!

Usapang cremation pa rin…

Lawiswis ng Salita ni P. Nicanor F. Lalog II, Ika-02 ng Nobyembre 2026
Photo by Brunxs on Pexels.com

Salamuch po sa mga bumisita at nagbasa ng ating blog ukol sa wastong pangangalaga ng mga sinaabong labi o cremated remains. Mayroong ilan ang tumuligsa sa ating isinulat na batay sa pinakahuling Instruction ng Vatican, ang Ad resurgendum cum Christo na nagbabawal sa pag-iingat sa bahay ng urn ng na-cremate na labi ng mahal sa buhay maging ang pagpaparte-parte kahit katiting ng mga sinaabong labi na kadalasan nilalagay sa mga kuwintas at alahas bilang remembrance.

Ipagpaumanhin po ninyo kung sakaling nasaktan inyong mga damdamin sa aking nalathala na pitak ngunit wala pong kinalaman sa usaping pananalapi ang mga alituntunin ng Simbahan na noon pa mang 1963 umiiral; kailan lamang nagkaroon ng mga kolumbaryo sa mga parokya. Karamihan sa mga kolumbaryo ay pinangangasiwaan ng mga pribadong kumpanya gaya ng mga funeral homes at memorial parks.

Sabi naman ng iba walang sinasabi sa Bibliya na bawal ilagak sa tahanan ang urn naglalaman ng sinaabong labi ng yumao. Ang ating pong tugon: e wala din naman po sinasabi ang Bibliya ukol sa cremation ng mga namatay bagaman mayroong isang pagkakataon mga labi ng namatay ay sinunog. Ito ay matapos na lapastanginin ng mga Filisteo mga labi ni Haring Saul at mga anak kaya binawi ng mga Israelita kanilang mga bangkay at sinunog upang ilibing mga abo bilang tanda ng kanilang pag-galang (1 Samuel 31:7-13).

Makikita natin sa buong bibliya na mula kina Abraham hanggang kay Jesu-Kristo, pawang silang lahat ay mga inilibing kaya naman ito pa rin ang higit na paraan pinipili ng Simbahan mula sinauna sa pangangalaga ng mga labi ng namatay bilang paghahanda sa Second Coming na kung saan ang mga labi ng mga namatay ay hahanguin muli upang isama sa kaluluwa at makamit ang glorified body tulad ni Jesus nang muling nabuhay. Ito pa rin ang dahilan kaya nang payagan ng Simbahan ang cremation pagkaraan ng Vatican II, tiniyak pa rin na mapangalagaan at nasa ligtas at naaayong lunan mga labi ng mga yumao.

Larawan kuha ng may-akda isa sa mga pinakamatandang sementeryo sa labas ng Jerusalem; masdan mga nitso nakaturo ang mga paanan nito sa silangang bahagi ng lungsod kung saan nila inaasahan magdaraan ang Mesiyas kapag dumating kaya kapag iyon ay nangyari, lahat ng mga namatay ay babangon nakaharap doon upang salubungin siya.

Ngunit higit na dahilan sa pagtitiyak na nasa maayos, marangal at nararapat na libingan ang labi ng ating mga yumao ay bahagi ng katuruan ng Simbahan na batay pa rin sa Banal na Kasulatan – ang pagpapahalaga sa dangal ng bawat tao kahit namatay na bilang larawan at wangis ng Diyos.

Hindi ba ninyo alam na ang inyong katawan ay templo ng Espiritu Santo na nasa inyo at tinanggap ninyo mula sa Diyos? Ang inyong katawan ay hindi talagang inyo kundi sa Diyos (1 Corinto 6:19).

Maliwanag ang Banal na Kasulatan, mga ginigiliw ko: sa buhay na ito hanggang kamatayan, wala tayong masasabing atin sapagkat ang lahat ay sa Diyos. Mainam basahin din natin nauunang talata ng ating sitas kung saan ipinanangaral ni San Pablo kabanalan ng ating katawan kaya dapat panatilihin itong malinis mula sa kasamaan at kasalanan. At ito ay kahit namatay na.

At dito ating makikita ang malungkot na umiiral sa makabagong panahon na marami sa atin sa ngayon pakiwari sa sarili ay buo niyang pag-aari, na tila walang pakialam sino man sa ibig niyang gawin sa kanyang sariling katawan.

Larawan kuha ng may-akda, Chapel of Our Lady of Ephesus, Bella Gardens, Tagaytay City, 07 Oktubre 2026.

Katawan ko pag-aari ko ang tila slogan ng karamihan ngayon kaya kung ayaw magbuntis, ipapalaglag sanggol sa sinapupunan. Ito rin dahilan sa sobrang pagbatak – stretching – ng ating mga karapatan kung kayat pati na rin sa pag-iiba ng ari at kasarian (sex change), ang nauusong test tube baby o in-vitro fertilization na pawang hindi pinahihintulutan ng Simbahan sapagkat labag mga ito sa dangal ng buhay. Ang malungkot kasi sa panahon ngayon, puro tayo karapatan na tila pag-aari natin ang lahat – hindi lamang ating sariling buhay kungdi maging buhay ng iba gaya ng sanggol sa sinapupunan ng isang ina o mga pumanaw na. Sa bawat karapatan ay mayroon ding katapat na tungkulin at pananagutan sa iba.

Sinasabi ng mga dalubhasa na mayroong dalawang palatandaan ng mataas na antas ng kalinangan ano mang lipi ng mga tao na kanilang napag-aralan: una anila ay kapag ang mga buto ng mga yumao ay mayroong tanda ng panggagamot at ikalawa ay kapag inililibing ang mga yumao.

Ayon sa kanila, nagpapahayag ang dalawang palatandaang ito ng pangangalaga sa kapwa tulad ng panggagamot sa nagkakasakit o naaksidente at higit sa lahat, kahit namatay na, iniingatan pa rin kanilang mga labi. Palatandaan anila ang mga ito ng tunay na pagmamalasakit sa kapwa na nagpapatunay ang tao ay social being, hindi nag-iisa at palaging mayroong kapwa. No man is an island wika nga dahil tayong lahat ay magkakarugtong sa buhay maging sa kamatayan na ang kaganapan ating inaasam ay magaganap sa buhay na walang hanggan kapiling ang Diyos.

Kaya kung paano natin pinahahalagahan ating mga yumao ay nagsasalamin ng ating patuloy na pagpapahalaga sa kanila, sa pagkilala sa kanilang sariling katauhan na maging mapayapa at malaya sa buhay na walang hanggan. Sadyang masakit ang mamatayan ng mahal sa buhay ngunit alalahanin nating ang usapin ay hindin lamang may kinalaman sa ating nagdadalamhati at nasaktan kungdi higit sa lahat doon mismo sa namatay. Ibigay natin nauukol sa paggalang sa kanilang naiwang labi na sinaad ng mga titik na “R.I.P.” mula sa mga katagang Latin na Requiescat In Pace o Rest in Peace sa Inggles habang sa Filipino ay mas malalim ang salin na isang panalangin din, Sumalangit nawa (SLN) kanilang kaluluwa. Amen. Isang mapayapang Araw ng mga Yumao.

*Salamuch kay Ginoong Paterno Esmaquel II ng The Religion Reporter na nag-interview sa atin noong Sabado upang maipaliwanag ilang mga bagay-bagay sa cremation. Narito po ating panayam mula sa YouTube.com.

Mula sa YouTube.com.

“Do It Again” by Steely Dan for my funeral

Lord My Chef Sunday Music, 01 November 2026
Photo by author, Don Bosco Batulao Retreat House, Batangas, April 2026.

You read it right: when I die, it is my wish that Steely Dan’s 1972 classic Do It Again shall be my funeral music. Aside from the fact that it was the first SD song I heard that started my fascination and love for this duo and their music, it speaks so well of my life that if I should live again, I will repeat everything. Just like Jack in Do It Again.

In the mornin' you go gunnin' for the man who stole your water
And you fire 'til he is done in but they catch you at the border
And the mourners are all singin' as they drag you by your feet
But the hangman isn't hangin' and they put you on the street

You go back, Jack, do it again, wheel turnin' 'round and 'round
You go back, Jack, do it again

When Walter Becker died on September 3, 2017, it was the last day of a retreat I facilitated for graduating high school students in Bustos, Bulacan. They were dumbfounded, wondering what had happened to me after hearing their confessions as I spoke of Becker and Steely Dan, singing and playing some of their songs they could hardly relate with. Soon, other musicians died along with actors and actresses whose music and films have shaped us during our growing up years that as a priest, I would include them in my prayers and Masses, hoping some day we could all jam in heaven!

Aside from praying for the souls of my favorite musicians on this All Saints’ Day and tomorrow’s All Souls’ Day, I thought of writing about Do It Again as my funeral song after watching a reel sent by a friend of an imaginary movie of someone dying with this opening track from Steely Dan’s debut album Can’t Buy a Thrill. My friend who sent that said he would have My Old School; but, as I have said, I will have Do It Again.

I must confess I never truly understood the meanings of the SD songs I used to hear and listened to while growing up except that they were all weird and odd like me while at the same time smooth and sophisticated. For me, what matters most always is when the music and lyrics jibe – something Walter and Donald Fagen perfected so well, putting them on top of the pantheon of gods of music.

As I matured, I realized, like me, SD music is deep and profound. Yes, surreal and psychedelic that an aunt (may she rest in peace) used to ask me how would I become a priest while listening to such kind of music. But, I eventually became a priest, still a Danhead! (You should see how some people react when they ask me explain the origin and meaning of Steely Dan.)

Going back to “Do It Again”, it is one of those tracks that I listen to every time I drive because the Remastered Best of Steely Dan is the only CD in my player. Of course I have a USB with other music but every time I drive, Walter and Donald with their fellow gods accompany me in my trips.

Before the Smiths came whom I also love, Steely Dan were there first to “romanticize” life’s many failures and disasters. Alex Pappademas is right after all when he wrote in “Quantum Criminals” that we are actually Jack in Do It Again – the gambler always losing, the one always caught in the crossfires of every battle in life but still somehow survives that hence, we do it again.

That is what I like most with Walter and Donald: they can express truly what we feel in every failures and losses we have had without pinning us down; instead, in their perfectionist music, we feel uplifted that like Jack, we just do it again like in our failed relationships – whether our own fault or others fault. Just choose for yourself and still be consoled, Jack….

When you know she's no high climber then you find your only friend
In a room with your two-timer, and you're sure you're near the end
Then you love a little wild one and she brings you only sorrow
All the time you know she's smilin' you'll be on your knees tomorrow, yeah

You go back, Jack, do it again, wheel turnin' 'round and 'round
You go back, Jack, do it again

I have realized in life that coming to terms with death is coming to terms with life. And vice versa. The moment we start living fully, meaningfully, authentically, that is when we befriend death. That is when we truly become free from others say, from everything that enslaves you to fully become free as your true self. 

Now you swear and kick and beg us that you're not a gamblin' man
Then you find you're back in Vegas with a handle in your hand
Your black cards can make you money so you hide them when you're able
In the land of milk and honey, you must put them on the table

You go back, Jack, do it again, wheels turnin' 'round and 'round
You go back, Jack, do it again

I have no claims to greatness nor holiness. I am just like Jack and at this stage of my life at 61 years old, 28 years as a priest, if given a chance to live again, I will do everything again. Yes, still be a priest. And a Danhead. Even perhaps add more mischiefs for more lessons and adventures and fun. Like Jack and the rest of the gang we have come to know as Steely Dan. To all Steely Dan fans, hail! For those wondering what is this all about, listen.

From YouTube.com.

Pagninilay sa Undas: Halaman at bulaklak, tanda ng buhay maging sa kamatayan

Lawiswis ng Salita ni P. Nicanor F. Lalog II, Ika-30 ng Oktubre 2026
Larawan kuha ng may-akda, Anvaya Cove, Hulyo 2026.

Isang kaibigan nakita kong dumaing sa kanyang post sa Facebook sa sobrang mahal daw ng mga bulaklak isang linggo pa man bago mag-Undas. Sa mga panahong ito, pangalawa sa mga sementeryo, mga tindahan ng bulaklak gaya ng sa Dangwa ang puntahan ng maraming tao.

Buhay man o patay, bulaklak palagi ang ating handog sa ating mga mahal sa buhay. Wika nga sa Inggles, “say it with flowers” sapagkat ito na ang pinakamabisang pagpapahayag ng tunay na saloobin sa lahat ng pagkakataon. Wala ka na talagang sasabihin pa kapag ikaw ay nagbigay ng bulaklak kanino man. Ano man ang okasyon. Hatid ng mga ito 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.

Maliban sa tao, ang mga bulaklak at halaman na ang pinakamagagandang nilikha ng Diyos upang ipadama at ilarawan sa atin ang Kanyang kagandahan at kabutihan, katamisan at pagmamahal. Gayon din tanda ang mga ito ng Paraiso kaya bawat kasalan at lamayan, pinupuno ng mga bulaklak at halaman paalala ng langit na ating pinagmulan at hantungan.

Isang tagpo tuwing Biyernes Santo at Sabado Santo ang hindi nabibigyang halaga ng marami, ang paglilibing kay Jesus.

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).

Hindi nagkataon lamang na inilibing si Jesus sa may halamanan dahil pagsapit ng Pasko ng Pagkabuhay, kay sarap namnamin ang Kanyang Pagkabuhay doon sa halamanan ay isang uri ng “return to Paradise”, “return to Eden” wika nga.

Kaya nga nang lapitan ni Jesus si Magdalena habang umiiyak dahil wala ang Panginoon sa libingan, napagkamalan niya si Jesus bilang hardinero. Paalala ito na ang Paraiso ay di lamang ating patutunguhan kungdi doon din nagsimula ang lahat sa Paraiso bago nagkasala mga unang tao.

Pagtatagpo nina Magdalena at Jesus noong Pasko ng Pagkabuhay sa kanyang libingan mula sa commons.wikimedia.org

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.

Katulad ng ano mang halaman, kailangan natin ng mainam na lugar, taniman.

Noong ako ay naka-assign pa sa paaralan sa Malolos, palagi kong tinitiyak sa mga magulang kapag kami ay nagki-kick out ng estudyante na hangad pa rin namin kabutihan ng kanilang anak na ay isang halaman, minsan mainam na ilipat ng paso o taniman upang tumubo at lumago. May ilan naman sa mga na-kick out ko noon ang nagpapasalamat naman sa akin ngayon dahil daw nakabuti rin yung karanasan at sila ay nakapagtapos ng ibat ibang kurso.

Iyon din ang sinabi kamakailan sa Wimbledon ng ating tennis sensation na si Alex Eala, “kapag lumago, hindi na hihinto” at naging tanda niya ang bulaklak ng halamang Sampaguita.

Maraming pagkakataon pinababayaan natin ating mga sarili tulad ng halaman na 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. Ayon kay Sta. Teresa ng Avila, ang pananalangin ay ang tubig na ating dinidilig sa ating sarili na katulad ng halaman upang lumago at mamulaklak.

Kamakailan ay nagpalit ako ng tubig ng mga alaga kong water plants sa aking silid at ako’y natigilan nang maalala ko bigla aking yumaong Ina na napakahusay sa paghahalaman. Mayroon siyang “green thumb” na hindi ko namana sa kanya.

Kahit maliit lamang aming lupain noon sa lumang bahay namin haggang sa kanyang munting tindahan, sagana siya sa pananim tulad ng mga rosas at orchids, cactus, mayana, violets at mayana, sari-saring halaman sa paso at lupa gaya ng papaya, atis, langka, pati kamote at sili sa gilid ng bahay namin ay mayroon siya.

Ako naman, hindi makabuhay ng ano mang halaman. Katunayan noong first year high school kamuntik ako bumagsak sa gardening dahil wala akong nabuhay na pananim. Umani na ng pechay at talong mga kaklase ko, walang tumubo sa aking plot kaya sabi ng mommy ko, kamote ang aking itanim. Kapag daw yun hindi ko pa nabuhay, ako na raw ang kamote! (Nabuhay naman po at ako ay nakapasa.)

Nang magkaroon ako ng sariling parokya noong 2011, kapag dumadalaw sila sa akin isa sa mga inaalam ni Mommy ay ang aking mga alagang halaman na galing sa kanya. Madalas hindi ako makasagot kasi, palaging mayroong namamatay sa mga iyon tuwing darating siya. Pati water plants! Sabi niya sa akin noon, “ano ka ba naman anak, water plant na lang napapatay mo pa? Masyadong mainit iyong mga kamay,” aniya.

Isa sa aking mga waterplants na buhay pa mula 2021.

Isang bagay nakalimutan kong sabihin kay Mommy bago siya mamatay noong 2024 ay nakakabuhay na ako ng water plant sa kuwarto ko sa bago kong assignment sa Fatima Valenzuela.

Kaya noong Martes na ang ebanghelyo ay tugkol sa halaman ng mustasa, habang ako ay nagpapalit ng tubig ng aking mga water plants, naisip ko marahil masaya na sa kabilang buhay si Mommy kasi nakabuhay na ako ng halaman.

Sinabi din niya sa akin noong bata 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.

Di alintanang paglapastangan sa mga yumao

Lawiswis ng Salita ni P. Nicanor F. Lalog II, Ika-28 ng Oktubre 2026
Larawan mula sa inquirer.net file photo, 2022.

Undas na naman at wika nga sa Inggles, all roads lead to the cemetery sa panahong ito upang alalahanin sa pananalangin habang nagtutulos ng kandila, naglalagay ng bulaklak mga pamilya at angkan sa puntod ng kanilang mga yumaong mahal sa buhay.

Siyempre, mayroon din salu-salo doon sa sementeryo habang ang iba naman ay nagtitipon sa kolumbaryo upang gayon din, ipanalangin kanilang mga yumaong mahal sa buhay na isinaabo ang mga labi o pina-cremate.

Mula sa wikang Latin, langit o “sky” ang columbarium habang ang ossuary na halos katulad nito ay libingan naman ng mga buto ng yumao na mula din sa Latin, os o buto kaya yaong sakit sa buto ay osteoporosis kung tawagin. Ang ating kataga na sementeryo o cemetery sa Inggles ay nagmula din sa wikang Latin na hiniram sa Griyego, cemeterion na kahulugan ay “dormitoryo”. Malinaw sa mga katagang gamit sa libingan noon pa man ay nagpapahiwatig ng buhay na walang hanggan na siyang ating tunay na hantungan sa pagwawakas ng buhay sa lupang ibabaw.

Larawang kuha ng may-akda, Anvaya Cove, Bataan, Abril 2026.

Ito ang dahilan mula simula pa lamang ay pinahahalagahan na ang labi ng mga yumaong mahal natin sa buhay dahil mismong ating Panginoong Jesu-Kristo na nagpakasakit at namatay ngunit muling nabuhay ay nalibing din. At dahil doon, pinabanal ni Jesus ating libingan habang inaabangan ang kanyang muling pagbabalik sa wakas ng panahon na kung saan ang lahat ng namatay ay ibabangon niya upang ang kanilang mga labi ay makaisa kanilang mga kaluluwa sa buhay na walang hanggan na siya nating ipinahahayag tuwing magsisimba ng araw ng Linggo, “Sumasampalatay ako sa Espiritu Santo, sa Simbahang Katolika, sa kasamahan ng mga Banal, sa pagkabuhay mag-uli ng mga namatay na tao hanggang sa buhay na walang hanggan.”

Kaya naman itinuturo ng Simbahan batay sa Ebanghelyo at Banal na Kasulatan na pakaingatan at pangalagaan palagi ang mga labi ng mga yumao.

Subalit nakababahala, nakakabagabag itong nauuso na pag-uuwi sa bahay at pagkuha ng kahit kaunting sinaabong labi ng yumao na nilalagay sa kuwintas at ibang alahas bilang remembrance at alaala. Kasama na rito pag-iingat sa tahanan ng tinaguriang “green bones” dahil ito man ay bahagi, labi ng yumao.

Pinahihintulutan naman ng Simbahan ang cremation noon pa man ngunit ito ay alinsunod sa mga tagubilin at alituntunin dapat tuparin upang matiyak na mapananatili ang dangal at pangangalaga sa labi ng mga yumao.

At pangangahasan ko nang sabihin na malaking kahangalan at paglapastangan sa mga yumao ang nauusong pagkuha ng sinaabong labi upang itago sa tahanan at higit sa lahat, pagparte-partehan ng pamilya mga ito – kahit kaunti – upang ilagay sa alahas tulad ng kuwintas bilang remembrance ng kanilang mahal na yumao.

Juice colored! Anong kalokohan iyan?

Sa halip na maparangalan kanilang mga yumaong mahal sa buhay, kabaligtaran ang nangyayari. Nagiging katulad na lamang ng ordinaryong gamit gaya ng balat ng kendi o talulot ng bulaklak na paalala ng inyong first date ang sinaabong labi ng mahal na yumao. Matay ko mang isipin na nakasabit sa leeg ang kuwintas na mayroong abo ng yumaong mahal sa buhay na dapat ay namayapa na e hanggang ngayon ay kayag-kayag pa rin sa mga pinagkakaabalahan sa buhay pati na sa hirap at tiisin.

Paano kung mahablot, ma-snatch kuwintas na mayroong abo ng inyong yumao? Sana ay maisip ng mga gumagawa nito ang kalapastanganang iyan sa kanilang yumao.

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Kung tunay nating minamahal mga yumao natin sa buhay, ilagak sila sa mga takdang libingan tulad ng sementeryo at kolumbaryo upang doon kanilang labi ay mapangalagaan at higit sa lahat, maipagdasal at maalala palagi di lamang ng pamilya at kamag-anak kungdi ng bayan ng Diyos, ang Simbahan sa tuwina ay nananalangin para sa mga yumao.

Noong 2016 niliwanag at muling ipinaalala sa isang Instruction ng Offices of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith sa Vatican ang paglalagom ng mga katuruan at alituntunin ng Simbahan ukol sa paglilibing lalo ng mga sinaabong labi ng namatay. Unang-una na dito ang paglagak ng mga ito sa natatanging libingan gaya ng sementeryo at kolumbaryo. Narito ang buong sitas upang kayo mismo ang bumasa sa mga bahagi ng naturang Instruction na pinamagatang Ad Resurgendum cum Christo na ibig sabihi’y “bumangon muli kay Kristo”:

When, for legitimate motives, cremation of the body has been chosen, the ashes of the faithful must be laid to rest in a sacred place, that is, in a cemetery or, in certain cases, in a church or an area, which has been set aside for this purpose, and so dedicated by the competent ecclesial authority.

From the earliest times, Christians have desired that the faithful departed become the objects of the Christian community’s prayers and remembrance. Their tombs have become places of prayer, remembrance and reflection. The faithful departed remain part of the Church who believes “in the communion of all the faithful of Christ, those who are pilgrims on earth, the dead who are being purified, and the blessed in heaven, all together forming one Church”.

The reservation of the ashes of the departed in a sacred place ensures that they are not excluded from the prayers and remembrance of their family or the Christian community. It prevents the faithful departed from being forgotten, or their remains from being shown a lack of respect, which eventuality is possible, most especially once the immediately subsequent generation has too passed away. Also it prevents any unfitting or superstitious practices (#5, Instruction Ad Resurgendum cum Christo).

For the reasons given above, the conservation of the ashes of the departed in a domestic residence is not permitted. Only in grave and exceptional cases dependent on cultural conditions of a localized nature, may the Ordinary, in agreement with the Episcopal Conference or the Synod of Bishops of the Oriental Churches, concede permission for the conservation of the ashes of the departed in a domestic residence. Nonetheless, the ashes may not be divided among various family members and due respect must be maintained regarding the circumstances of such a conservation (#6, Instruction Ad Resurgendum cum Christo).

Larawan kuha ni Santi San Juan ng Manila Bulletin, Angono, Rizal, 31 Agosto 2024.

Malinaw ang paalala ng Simbahan: hindi pinapayagan itago sa tahanan ang na-cremate na labi ng mahal sa buhay. At hindi rin tama na pagparte-partehan ng mga naulila kahit katiting ng sinaabong labi ng kanilang yumao.

Nakakalungkot na mayroong mga pari na sa halip ituro ang tama at nararapat, sila pa nagkukunsinti ng kamalian at kalapastanganang ito sa pagbabasbas ng mga kuwintas na mayroong sinaabong labi ng mga yumao.

Nararapat at napapanahon nang pagbawalan ng Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) ang mga punenarya sa pag-aalok sa mga namatayan ng mga sinaabong labi na nilalagay nila mismo sa mga kuwintas na kanila ring binebenta na isa pang dagdag na kalapastanganan sa mga yumao na pinagkakitaan pa!

Mahigpit ding ipinagbabawal ng Simbahan ang pagsasaboy ng mga sinaabong labi sa himpapawirin at karagatan katulad ng mga eksena sa pelikula; walang puwang sa pananampalatayang Katoliko ang mga gawaing ito sapagkat turo nga ni San Pablo, templo at tahanan ng Espiritu Santo ang bawat tao (1Cor.6:19) kaya kahit namatay na ay sagrado pa rin kanilang mga labi kaya mga ito ay binabasbasan pa rin.

In order that every appearance of pantheism, naturalism or nihilism be avoided, it is not permitted to scatter the ashes of the faithful departed in the air, on land, at sea or in some other way, nor may they be preserved in mementos, pieces of jewelry or other objects. These courses of action cannot be legitimized by an appeal to the sanitary, social, or economic motives that may have occasioned the choice of cremation (#7, Instruction Ad Resurgendum cum Christo).

Ngayong Undas, kung mayroon kayong mga sinaabong labi ng inyong mahal sa buhay na nasa bahay pa rin o kahit kaunti sa kuwintas at ibang alahas, alang-alang sa kapayapaan ng inyong mahal na yumao, ilagak na mga ito sa sementeryo o kolumbaryo. Kumausap ng pari para sa inurment of remains upang maging makabuluhan at banal inyong pagdiriwang ng Undas simula ngayong taon hanggang sa magkasama-sama tayo balang araw sa buhay na walang hanggan kapiling ang Diyos at kanyang mga Banal. Amen.

Larawan kuha ni Santi San Juan ng Manila Bulletin sa Angono, Rizal, 31 Oktubre 2024.

To err is human, to forgive, divine.

Lord My Chef Sunday Recipe for Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II
Twenty-fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle A, 13 September 2026
Sirach 27:30-28:7  ><}}}}*>  Romans 14:7-9  ><}}}}*>  Matthew 18:21-35
Photo by a friend in Seabrook, Washington, 06 September 2026.

You must have heard that quote so often, “To err is human, to forgive is divine” from the English writer Alexander Pope’s 1711 poem An Essay on Criticism where he originally wrote “To err is human, to forgive, divine.”

For many it has become a cliche because it is so difficult to forgive. Especially if it has to be done repeatedly. It is among the hardest teachings of Jesus Christ along with the love of enemies, of doing good to those who hate us, and lending without expecting anything back.

In a sense, forgiving is the twin teaching of fraternal correction which Jesus taught us last Sunday; the more difficult it becomes when the wrong done is against us that we feel much like Peter in asking Jesus how many times must we forgive:

Peter approached Jesus and asked him, “Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus answered, “I say to you, not even seven times but seventy-seven times (Matthew 18:21-22).

NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 11, 2001: (SEPTEMBER 11 RETROSPECTIVE) Smoke pours from the twin towers of the World Trade Center after they were hit by two hijacked airliners in a terrorist attack September 11, 2001 in New York City. (Photo by Robert Giroux/Getty Images)

Like fraternal correction, forgiving is a major concern in this modern time when the means and forms of evil have become sophisticated like terrorism and online scams that unfortunately happen not only on the world stage but right into our personal lives and relationships too.

We have all experienced being pushed to the limits as our patience is exhausted when a beloved is the one sinning against us that is both unacceptable and most unkind of all especially if the sin is committed repeatedly, prompting us to ask God like Peter how many times must we forgive our brother or sister. The figure “seven times” given by Peter is not the literal number but refers to the very many times we have forgiven somebody to wear out our patience.

What Peter was asking was a freedom from calculation of repeatedly forgiving one who repeatedly sins because that kind of forgiveness does not come naturally to any of us humans. Repeatedly forgiving someone who repeatedly sins is most difficult because it abuses our very person, our being Christian.

And there lies the bigger problem and difficulty about repeatedly forgiving someone who repeatedly sins who most often is dearest to us like your husband or wife, our parents or one of your children or a sibling.

The truth is, inasmuch as we ask like Peter so often how many times we must forgive our loved ones, the crux of the problem in forgiving is actually deep inside our hearts we still love them that we just forgive and forgive them. That is the mystery, the most baffling of all: why do we keep on forgiving somebody who keeps on sinning. Recall St. Paul’s words last Sunday “to owe no one except the debt of love” so that the more we love, we realize we can love like Jesus after all because forgiving is actually the work of God in us, with us, and through us in Christ.

Jesus answered, “I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times. That is why the kingdom of heaven may be likened to a king who decided to settle accounts with his servants. When he began the accounting, a debtor was brought before him who owed him a huge amount… Moved with compassion the master of that servant let him go and forgave him the loan. When that servant had left, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a much smaller amount… Instead, he had him in prison until he paid back the debt. His master summoned him and said to him, “You wicked servant! I forgave you your entire debt because you begged me to. Should you not have had pity on your fellow servant, as I had pity on you? Then in anger his master handed him over to the torturers until he should pay back the whole debt. So will my heavenly Father do to you, unless each of you forgives his brother from his heart” (Matthew 18:22-24, 27-28, 30, 32-35).

St. John Paul II meeting and forgiving his assassin Mehmet Agca in prison two years after the failed assassination attempt to his life at St. Peter’s Square, 13 May 1981.

Jesus explains in his parable that forgiving is actually a work of God, divine in nature as Alexander Pope tells us in his famous line “to err is human, to forgive, divine.”

We forgive because we are forgiven beloved. Jesus grounds this teaching not in willpower but in being like God the master in his parable, “Should you not have had pity on your fellow servant, as I had pity on you?”

Jesus knows us so well as humans, sinful and weak who could not generate forgiveness and mercy out of nothing; it is very clear in his parable that we simply have to let flow towards others something of the forgiveness and mercy we have already received from the Father through him. Ben Sirach stressed this in our first reading, reminding us that our own capacity to receive forgiveness from God is bound up with our willingness to forgive those who have sinned against us.

Worthy of keeping in mind too that Jesus tells at the onset of his parable that forgiving is about the kingdom of heaven, not of this world wherein our debt to God is beyond measure like that servant. While we may argue that we are better than those criminals in jails or those corrupt officials now either sick to stand trial or have fled, it is pointless to compare and “measure” our sins because every sin is not only against another person but to God himself – the Perfect One who is love himself.

Photo from Pinterest.

When we forgive, that is when we level up our existence, when we live in Christ as St. Paul says in the second reading because our lives belong to God and to one another, not as the world tells us to control our lives and be masters of the universe. It is when we forgive that we are truly a church, a body of believers Jesus founded on Peter in Caesarea Philippi because that is when we live and die in Christ, becoming his vessels of mercy and forgiveness.

Most of all, it is in forgiving that we become truly free as a human, when we break free from the past hurts and grievances that pin us down, preventing us from moving forward in life. When we refuse to forgive those who have wronged us, we actually yield to their power and control. Hence, in all practicality, it is always best to forgive.

But there is something most deep and true about forgiving which clearly manifests our own mortality and rootedness in God who is our origin and end, “Remember your last days, set enmity aside; remember death and decay, and cease from sin!” (Sir. 28:6)

This Sunday, we are reminded to check and be aware of any resentments and anger we may still be carrying as we refuse to forgive lest we end like that unforgiving servant. Take this time to forgive for life is really too short to waste in keeping those grudges. Amen. Have a blessed week ahead!

Photo by a friend in Seabrook, Washington, 06 September 2026.

“Knocking On Heaven’s Door”

Lord My Chef Daily Recipe for Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II
Friday in the Fifteenth Week of Ordinary Time, Year II, 17 July 2026
Isaiah 38:1-6, 21-22, 7-8; 38:10-12, 16    <*((((><  +  ><))))*>     Matthew 12:1-8
Photo by author, sunrise at Camp John Hay, Baguio City, 19 November 2018.
God our loving Father,
I thank you for this wonderful
Friday and most of all, 
for your moving words
from King Hezekiah,
the very same words
in our hearts especially 
for those like me who have
reached senior year,
or may be going through 
many difficulties in life
that make us all realize 
our mortality
and finiteness.
Father,
we are all afraid of death,
of dying,
of the pain of getting sick,
of the process so hurtful
in all aspects; but, like
King Hezekiah in the first reading,
what really makes us worry 
with death is the unfinished work
you have given us,
the sadness of what shall
happen to those we shall leave behind
not because we believe so much
in ourselves but more because
we know we have not finished
your work; forgive us for those
moments we have procrastinated 
your work, for those times we 
balked and dilly dallied to your
commands, or to those times
we refused to follow you; 
hear our pleas like your
faithful King Hezekiah
knocking at heaven’s door:

Once I said: “In the noontime of life I must depart! To the gates of the nether world I shall be consigned for the rest of my years… Like a swallow I utter shrill cries; I moan like a dove. My eyes grow weak, gazing heavenward: O Lord, I am in straits; be my surety” (Isaiah 38:10, 14).

Photo by Mr. Howie Severino, Taal Lake, Batangas, 13 November 2018.
O Lord our God
most loving,
our life and meaning
who desires most mercy
than sacrifice for
you are the Lord of sabbath
(Matthew 12:7-8),
like King Hezekiah and 
Bob Dylan in this modern time
we "knock at heaven's 
door" for those in great need
at these very moment
like the disciples of Jesus
so hungry while crossing a field 
of grain on a sabbath 
and picked the heads of grain
and ate them; heal those so sick
 not only in body but also in mind,
heart and soul;
ease their pains and sorrows;
and should we reach the final end,
welcome us into your heavenly
kingdom; but still, as we
hope against hope,
heal us by turning back
the clock of time
for us to fulfill your 
assigned task and 
mission.
Amen.

*While praying last night, we remembered Bob Dylan’s iconic “Knocking At Heaven’s Door” that he wrote as soundtrack of the 1973 film “Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid”. It became a worldwide hit after its release and had been covered by other artists like Eric Clapton, Randy Crawford and Guns N’ Roses.

“Knocking At Heaven’s Door” is praying hard to God when at the point of death. Like Hezekiah in the first reading, it is the baring of one’s soul to God, begging for his mercy that if possible be allowed to live a little longer. In this song, we find the lyrics and music elegantly and nobly simple, so characteristic of Dylan’s songs that earned him awards outside the music circle like journalism’s Pulitzer Prize special citation in 2008 and the recent Nobel Prize in Literature in 2016 “for having created new poetic expressions within the great American music tradition” (wikipedia).

In our prayer last night, we realized as we age that we fear death and its other daily manifestations like separation and other lifestyle shifts because of being sorry for not having done much in life that if given another chance, we might after all finish our mission like King Hezekiah in the first reading today. Knocking at heaven’s door is one of life’s most powerful prayer as it always “moves” God in the sense he grants our prayers not because he changes his mind but because we have finally surrendered to him and his Divine Will. Likewise, it reminds us to be faithful to our calling always so that when God calls us to death, we can let go easily.

Bob Dylan captured this so well citing the final scene of the movie for which he composed “Knocking At Heaven’s Door” when the frontier lawman was about to die, he gave or “surrendered” to his wife – Mama – his badge and gun because he had finished his job.

[Intro]
Ooh, ooh
Ooh, ooh

[Verse 1]
Mama, take this badge off of me
I can’t use it anymore
It’s getting dark, too dark to see
I feel I’m knockin' on heaven’s door

[Chorus]
Knock, knock, knockin' on heaven’s door
Knock, knock, knockin' on heaven’s door
Knock, knock, knockin' on heaven’s door
Knock, knock, knockin' on heaven's door

[Verse 2]
Mama, put my guns in the ground
I can’t shoot them anymore
That long black cloud is coming down
I feel I’m knockin' on heaven’s door

[Chorus]
Knock, knock, knockin' on heaven’s door
Knock, knock, knockin' on heaven’s door
Knock, knock, knockin' on heaven’s door
Knock, knock, knockin' on heaven's door

A blessed weekend everyone. Handle life with prayer always.

From YouTube.com

Learning from Jesus

Lord My Chef Sunday Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II
Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time-A, 05 July 2026
Zechariah 9:9-10 ><}}}}*> Romans 8:9, 11-13 ><}}}}*> Matthew 11:25-30
Photo by author, Sacred Heart Novitiate, Novaliches, QC, 20 March 2024.

What a refreshing gospel we have today with Jesus asking us to come to him to find rest, four weeks after being moved with pity at the sight of the crowd who were like sheep without a shepherd that he called and sent his Twelve Apostles to bring them his good news of salvation (June 14).

The following two Sundays he taught us of our work in harvesting the abundant harvest by being brave and gracious, and hospitable (June 21, 28).

This Sunday, Jesus wraps up his teachings on our work after he himself was rejected by his own folks because he knows very well ours is a difficult mission (June 21) as he praised the little ones who have accepted him like the poor and marginalized.

At that time Jesus exclaimed: “I give praise to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to little ones… Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for your selves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:25, 28-30).

Photo by author, Sacred Heart Novitiate, Novaliches, QC, 20 March 2024.

What are the lessons Jesus is asking us to learn from him, especially in these troubled times of ours when the corrupt and idiots reign supremely simply because they are more in number?

See how difficult it is to be a Christian these days when you hear and see all over social media all kinds of inanities and stupidities happening everywhere like callous politicians acting as clowns with a massive crowd of idiots parroting the words of their cult leaders masquerading as religious men. Or the two couples who climbed atop the Empire State Building in New York for a performance of unfurling a banner calling for more love in the world, with the man pretending to propose to the woman who turned out to be his wife for several months already.

From #philstar via FB, 02 July 2026.

Haynaku! Juice colored!

Everything is so exhausting. The only good news we have these days is again our very own Alex Eala “smoking” the grass at Wimbledon. And perhaps the President going to Vancouver to inaugurate the newest Jollibee there with the Canadian Prime Minster enjoying a more joyful chicken joy. Sanaol!

But, amid all these dismal happenings, Jesus is here with us calling us to his side, to experience his warmth, to learn from him how we can feel light amid all these heavy burdens around us.

Notice how with the social media all over us with its bad news that it has become so easy to feel lumbered with all the contradictions in our lives plus see the various needs we feel missing in our relationships that it has become our past time to worry and feel so burdened most of the time.

Jesus promises us this Sunday that following him brings lightness not heaviness of compulsion and duty as most people would think of his demands. However, it is not a kind of R&R we all aspire every weekend at the beach or a mountain resort.

Christ calls us today to come to him and learn from him on how to have a steady, realistic, day-to-day approach to life lived in his company.

First lesson Jesus is teaching us to learn from him today is to rejoice always.

Photo by author, St. Michael Retreat House, Antipolo City, 16 June 2026.

Being joyful is more than being happy; to rejoice is to have our heart smiling because deep down inside we are assured that no matter what happens in life, even if worse comes to worst, Jesus remains with us and would never ever abandon us. That’s because he is not like a stern master without any love and concern for his slaves.

Jesus is the fulfillment of the first reading calling us to rejoice because he is the king who had come, “a just savior is he, meek, and riding on an ass, on a colt, the foal of an ass” (Zec.9:9).

Recall Jesus Christ’s triumphant entry to Jerusalem on Palm Sunday riding an ass so that he could be at eye-level with everyone in the city unlike riding a horse that is so high and even menacing in stature.

Imagine the setting of this Sunday gospel: Jesus was lamenting at how his fellow Jews have rejected him despite his many miracles but at the same time, he was rejoicing, praising the Father in sending him the poor and outcasts of their society as his first believers and followers. Yes, Jesus was hurting for being rejected but he found more reasons to rejoice than sulk. Why waste energy on the negative when there are a lot of good things happening?

Rejoicing means looking beyond the physical and temporal things; rejoicing is being a visionary who sees opportunities behind every problem and issues at hand. Rejoicing is seeing grace than curse, focusing more on Christ than the problems. Indeed,“every gising is a blessing” because every morning we wake up, God assures us of his immense love for us, that he believes in us, and is sending us on a mission to share that joy of living. And believing in him!

Photo by author, July 2011.

Second lesson Jesus is teaching us to learn from him this Sunday is to surrender, to set aside our personal agenda so that we can take up his yoke that is easy and burden that is light.

One reason we cannot rejoice is our refusal to give up our many yokes and burdens that are mostly much ado about nothing at all.

Let go and let God!

Surrendering is daily dying to one’s self to rise to new life in Christ which leads us to the third lesson Jesus wants us to learn from him this Sunday:

Live in solidarity with Christ empowered by the Holy Spirit as St. Paul tells us in the second reading.

Brothers and sisters: You are not in the flesh; on the contrary you are in the spiritr, if only the Spirit of God dwells in you. Consequently, brothers and sisters, we are not debtors to the flesh to live according to flesh. For if you ive according to the flesh, you will die, but if by the spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live (Romans 8:9, 12-13).

Solidarity with Christ is the opposite of solidarity with the old humanity with Adam enslaved to sin which is not just body versus soul nor should flesh be understood as sexual immorality; solidarity with Christ is life in the Holy Spirit that results in eternal life in God. It is a choice we make daily, of whether we shall heed Christ’s call to come to him and learn from him who is meek and humble of heart. Solidarity with Christ is living in the love of Christ.

The good news is, Jesus gives us all the grace we need to love and choose him, to learn from him even if many times we fall and stumble because of our heavy burdens due to sin. This Sunday and every day, make the right choice. Choose Jesus, chose love to be light, choose life. Amen. Have a blessed, light and joyful week ahead.

Photo by Mr. Vigie Ongleo somewhere in Colorado, 03 June 2026.

Probing the “dark places” within us

Lord My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II
Friday in the Thirteenth Week of Ordinary Time, Year II
Feast of St. Thomas, Apostle, 03 July 2026
Ephesians 2:19-22     <*{{{{>< + ><}}}}*>     John 20:24-29
Photo of painting by Caravaggio, “The Incredulity of Thomas” via wikipedia.commons.org.
Thank you,
dear Jesus 
for this first Friday in July 2026,
the feast of your Apostle Thomas
called Didymus:
some say due to his having
the twin of faith and doubt
but most likely also our
very own twin because
like him,
deep within us
are many "dark places"
that need to be enlightened
by your light.

Thomas called Didymus, one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. so the other disciples said to him, “We have seen the Lord.” But Thomas said to them, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger into the nail marks and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” Now a week later, disciples were again inside and Thomas was with them. Jesus came, although the doors were locked, and stood in their midst and said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands, and bring your hand and put it into my side, and do not be unbelieving, but believe.” Thomas answered and said to him, “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:24-28)

Every day 
you also come to us,
Lord Jesus
amid the many darkness
around us,
often in our locked doors 
of doubts and disbelief,
cynicism and pessimism, 
grief and hopelessness;
many times we think
we infer
we rationalize
that your Resurrection
and presence are just too good
to be true!

So many things within us
resist a faith too easy to claim
or put into effect just to believe
you; enlighten the many "dark places"
within us that we have become 
so skeptical these days:
our government and church
are just like so similarly plagued
with corruption and evil
that are sadly allowed
or tolerated,
justice utterly lacking with
evil doers seem to be more
favored than law-abiding ones
with all these persisting because
many are oblivious to the 
darkness and disorder going on.
Where are you,
Jesus in all of our mess
in life as individuals,
as a nation,
as a church,
as a family
that we most often
doubt than believe?
Photo by author, St. Michael Retreat House, Antipolo City, 16 June 2026.
Guide my hand,
lead my finger into your
wounds, 
dear Jesus
that I may experience 
you Risen;
let me experience your 
coming and loving presence
amid our darkness
and woundedness;
let me not seek you
Jesus in spectacular things
in feel-good situations
but like Thomas
in touching your wounds
in that dark room
be enlivened with your
inner light of peace
and assurance that
more than your miracle 
of rising from the dead
is the reality of living,
of life coming out 
from real death.
Grant me that spark of
faith like in Thomas 
while touching your wounds,
Lord Jesus
so that a glimmer of hope
within me may finally glow
and grow as I follow you,
my Lord and 
my God.
Amen.