Lord My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul, 09 September 2025 Tuesday, Memorial of St. Peter Claver, Priest Colossians 2:6-15 ><))))*> + ><))))*> + ><))))*> Luke 6:12-19
Photo by Ms. Marissa L. Flores in Switzerland, September 2024.
Lord Jesus, thank you for calling me today; like your Apostles, I felt you called me by name too! So lovely, so reassuring, but also challenging to me: what if I can't keep with your pace because I get tired, or simply feel so afraid of being hurt, of being laughed at, of being misunderstood, of being rejected?
Brothers and sisters: As you received Christ Jesus the Lord, walk in him, rooted in him and built upon him and established in the faith as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving (Colossians 2:6-7).
To walk in you, Jesus is to forget myself, to be always on the main road not at the sides where it is safe and comfortable; to walk in you, Jesus is to forget myself and think of those others on the streets who could not walk in you for so many reasons with some of them already down and dying on the road; to walk in you, Jesus is to carry my Cross and that is to love until it hurts like you.
Photo by Mr. Jay Javier, Quiapo, 09 January 2020.
It is in walking in you, Jesus that I can be rooted in you; help me to remain near and close to you not only for me to imitate you and be rooted in you but most especially for you to remind me when I am not in sync with you; keep me rooted in you so that I can be built upon you by sharing your power (Lk.6:19) of loving service to the poor and forgotten, your light for those confused and lost, restoring those dead to sin in your mercy and forgiveness. Amen.
Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II Our Lady of Fatima University Valenzuela City (lordmychef@gmail.com)
Lord My Chef Sunday Recipe for the Soul, 07 September 2025 Twenty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle C Wisdom 9:13-18 ><}}}}*> Philemon 9-10, 12-17 ><}}}}*> Luke 14:25-33
“Napasarap ang kuwentuhan” is how we would describe the scene last Sunday continuing to today’s gospel as Jesus pushed through in his journey to Jerusalem.
Recall Jesus dined at the home of a leading Pharisee last Sunday where “people observed him carefully” while “he noticed them” choosing seats of honor at the party that he told them a short parable on humility. One of the guests liked it that Jesus narrated another parable about coming to a banquet where everybody is invited. Many were impressed with his second parable that Luke now tells us great crowds followed Jesus after that dinner on a sabbath.
Great crowds were traveling with Jesus, and he turned and addressed them, “If anyone comes to me without hating his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciples. Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. Which of you wishing to construct a tower does not first sit down and calculate the cost to see if there is enough for its completion? Otherwise, after laying the foundation and finding himself unable to finish the work the onlookers should laugh at him and say, ‘This one began to build but did not have the resources to finish'” (Luke 14:25-30).
Photo by Mr. Jay Javier in Quiapo, 09 January 2020.
Keep in mind that Jesus “resolutely determined to journey to Jerusalem” (Lk.9:51) to fulfill his mission of offering himself on the cross. This is the second time since he embarked on that journey that he had told those wishing to become his disciples must forget themselves, take up their cross and follow him.
During that time, the cross was the Roman empire’s worst punishment – most humiliating and excruciatingly painful leading to a slow death. Imagine how the audience of Jesus must have felt hearing his words about taking up one’s cross, whether in its literal or figurative meaning. Jesus completely changed that on Good Friday when he totally and freely offered himself to die on the cross because of his immense love for us and the Father. From being a sign of cruelty and shame, the Cross became the sign of love and honor as Jesus the Son of God became one of us in passion and death so that we may be like him in his glorious resurrection.
And that is what Jesus wants for us, to be holy like him that is why he invites us to do the same, “take up your cross and follow me” which we may call as the “Christ project” wherein destruction leads to new creation, death to life, and self-giving to true love.
Here we find the wisdom and gentle mastery of Jesus as a teacher in using a “building project” as an example of discipleship, a world apart from the shameless, scandalous ghost projects of DPWH with some contractors through manipulations by lawmakers stole billions of pesos from the poor people without doing any flood control facilities at all.
Photo by author, Church of St. Anne in Jerusalem, May 2017.
The Christ project is the most noble “building project” of all where everyone becomes God’s masterpiece: “Which of you wishing to construct a tower does not first sit down and calculate the cost to see if there is enough for its completion? Otherwise, after laying the foundation and finding himself unable to finish the work the onlookers should laugh at him and say, ‘This one began to build but did not have the resources to finish'” (Lk.14:28-30).
What is Jesus longing to “construct” in your life?
We have all been disciples of Christ since baptism but many times in life, we have taken for granted his call to follow him and journey in him, with him, and through him. See that in his two parables today, Jesus did not say that we have to be “like them” in preparing to build a tower or go to war; instead at the ending, Jesus said, “In the same way, anyone who does not renounce all his possessions cannot be my disciple” (Lk.14:33).
We are all disciples of Christ. It is an inescapable reality in life, an honor and a responsibility because whether we like it or not, our discipleship in Christ plays a major role in our life direction. Or lack of direction. If you are feeling lost, most likely you have veered away from Christ in life’s journey. When life is in a mess, Christ is missing.
The author of the Book of Wisdom tells us how God in his infinite wisdom slowly unfolds to us his grand plans for us as his disciples, his beloved children. See that our most meaningful and fulfilling moments in life were those we were closest to God – not really when we were drowning in wealth and fame and material things. See the simplicity and sincerity of the common folks betrayed by this system of corruption – they can look straight the camera lens without hiding not like the fake, empty fronts of the the well dressed senators, contractors and DPWH officials in the hearings.
Photo by author, Our Lady of Fatima University, Valenzuela City, September 2023.
All our lives we must become a disciple of Christ that is why we must constantly reflect on his demands not only to examine how far we have gone by looking in the past but most especially to renew our commitment to him so we can move forward, nearer to the Father and to one another in loving service. This is what St. Paul was asking Philemon in accepting anew his escaped slave Onesimus.
Jesus invites us this Sunday to stop and reflect about his plans, his project for us to be God’s masterpiece. Discipleship is a call to self-emptying, to daily crucifixion of forgetting one’s self, of always choosing Jesus, choosing what is true and good and just. Of course it is easier said than done but that is the way it is. Better to make the choice freely than wait later when it would be imposed on us by the circumstances.
This is the meaning of our Care for Creation celebration this Sunday when we are called to see the unity of everyone and everything in “Christ Jesus… the image of the invisible God… in him were created all things in heaven and earth, the visible and invisible… For in him all the fullness was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile all things for him, making peace by the Blood of his cross through him, whether those on earth or those in heaven” (Col.1:15, 16, 19-20).
Caring for creation and environment is discipleship in action as Pope Francis called on us in his 2015 encyclical Laudato Si of the need to have an inner change, an “ecological conversion” wherein we do our individual part of sacrifice and care for God’s creation. It is always easy to join the many green movements and environmental crusades but if deep in our hearts remain our own comfort and convenience, nothing would ever change in the world around us as we continue with our insatiable consumption of so much goods. What we need is a “shift” in our perspectives in life, to see it wholly as interconnected.
We require a new and universal solidarity. As the bishops of Southern Africa have stated: “Everyone’s talents and involvement are needed to redress the damage caused by human abuse of God’s creation”. All of us can cooperate as instruments of God for the care of creation, each according to his or her own culture, experience, involvements and talents. (Laudato si’, #14)
Caring for creation is discipleship when we choose to follow Jesus in implementing his grand design and project for a better world where peace truly reigns in all creation. Amen. A blessed week ahead of everyone. Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II, Our Lady of Fatima University, Valenzuela City (lordmychef@gmail.com)
Photo by Mr. Raffy Tima of GMA7 News in Batanes, September 2018.
Lord My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul, 04 September 2025 Thursday in the Twenty-Second Week of Ordinary Time, Year I Colossians 1:9-14 <*((((>< + ><))))*> Luke 5:1-11
Photo by Mr. Raffy Tima of GMA7 News in Batanes, September 2018.
Today's gospel story of your first meeting with Simon reminds me of how your presence made a difference in my life when I finally said "yes" to your call to give my vocation to the priesthood a second chance in 1991 when I resigned from my job to enter the seminary again; it was pure joy at first that later became more intense, more deep and wonderful as the going got tough and rough; it was never easy following you, Jesus but you have never forsaken me since then until now though many times I have balked and even backed out from you as you kept telling me those same words you told Simon, "Do not be afraid" (Luke 5:10).
Fill me, Jesus, "with the knowledge of God's will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, so as to be fully pleasing, in every good work bearing fruit nd growing in the knowledge of God" (Colossians 1:9-10); teach me to trust you more by surrendering, giving up my total self to you so that I may continue casting my net into the deep; though I have given up a lot, I still feel I have not given up that much of myself to you - take away from me, Jesus whatever I still hold on deep inside, help me surrender myself to you totally so that I may know you more clearly, love you more dearly, follow you most closely daily for it is in your presence when I am most fulfilled. Amen.
Lord My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul, 03 September 2025 Wednesday, Memorial of St. Gregory the Great, Pope & Doctor of Church Colossians 1:1-8 <*((((>< + ><))))*> Luke 4:38-44
A surge in number of patients with leptospirosis after the series of flooding in Metro Manila, August 2025.
Lord Jesus, I am angry like most people in my country; so angry with the rampant corruption long been going on; so angry why we have allowed it to continue and worsened that people are getting sick, classes and work disrupted by the floods because no flood control project was ever delivered despite being paid for by the government; as I prayed, I feel nothing had changed since your time until now still with so many people seeking healing and comfort from you.
At sunset, all who had people sick with various diseases brought them to him. He laid his hands on each of them and cured them. At daybreak, Jesus left and went to a deserted place. The crowds went looking for him, and when they came to him, they tried to prevent him from leaving them (Luke 4:40, 42).
Yes, dear Jesus, the corruption and injustices happening today are so sickening but do not let these deviate my focus in you whom I must follow always; use my hands as extension of your healing hands, of your comforting touch to the sick and needy, that I may restore them to you, in you; you never remained in one place, Jesus as you kept moving to bring hope and healing to so many others forgotten by their family and the society; enlighten my mind and my heart, Jesus with your Holy Spirit to imitate you in going to a deserted place to remain one in the Father and most especially to find you among the suffering that the corrupt disregard. Amen.
Photo from “KLEPTOPIROSIS: When Corruption Becomes a Public Health Crisis” by Dr. Tony Leachon on Facebook, 08 August 2025.
Lord My Chef Sunday Recipe for the Soul, 24 August 2025 Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle C Isaiah 66:18-21 ><}}}*> Hebrews 12:5-7, 11-13 ><}}}*> Luke 13:22-30
Phot by author of pilgrims trying to enter through the narrow door of the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, the Holy Land.
Anyone who had gone on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land must have heard the story of the fabled “narrow door” at the entrance of the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, of how it was reduced into that small door a very long time ago to prevent pilgrims from bringing their horses and camels inside the church that made a lot mess and stench.
Photo by author, narrow doors from the inside of the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, the Holy Land, May 2019.
That little door of the Church of the Nativity later became symbolic of the humble gesture of bowing low first to enter and see the Savior’s birthplace, eventually heaven as Jesus had been teaching us these past Sundays.
We are now in the final installment of the teachings by Jesus about the coming End, of what must we do to gain eternal life. He is now halfway through his long journey to Jerusalem since he started eight Sundays ago.
Along the way, he had met every kind of people, proclaiming to them the same message – that the kingdom of God is at hand where everyone is welcomed like what Isaiah prophesied in the first reading.
Jesus passed through towns and villages, teaching as he went and making his way to Jerusalem. Someone asked him, “Lord, will only a few people be saved?” He answered them, “Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I tell you, will attempt to enter but will not be strong enough. After the master of the house had arisen and locked the door, then will you stand outside knocking and saying…” (Luke 13:22-25).
Photo by author, Angels’ Hills Retreat Center, Tagaytay City, April 2025.
In his teachings these past three Sundays, Jesus had been warning us against too much focus on things of the world that perish like material wealth, telling us to be more concerned of things of heaven that lead to eternal life. He had been clear that it would not be easy at all with the demands of being his disciples.
It was in this context that someone in the crowd asked Jesus today on his way to Jerusalem if only a few people would be saved. The question sounds very amusing not only because Jesus had always been clear that heaven does not come cheap as we must learn to renounce our self, take up his cross and follow him. That someone in the crowd who asked that question is actually us! And we know so well why until now we keep asking that same question: because we lack the discipline within to truly follow Christ. We always want what is easy and convenient, preferring shortcuts, avoiding sacrifices, as much as possible, no pains and sufferings. Hence, despite our knowing what it takes to gain eternal life, we still keep on doing the opposite.
It is the same with our physical well-being wherein we know so well what is healthy but we still keep doing, eating and drinking what is unhealthy. The sad truth of this lack of discipline in our body and soul is how we start shaping ourselves only when we are already sick and close to dying! That is when we feel sorry and start telling God like those in the parable that “we ate and drank in your company.”
Jesus had no intentions of dodging the question of that someone – and us in many occasions when we realize how difficult it is to follow his path of simplicity and humility, of love and kindness, of mercy and forgiveness. See how he neither gave a number nor a percentage of those who would be saved in the End. Jesus simply told the people including us today to do everything to make it into the Kingdom of God that is like a “narrow gate” and a “locked door”.
Following Jesus is more than being in his company but more of being like him. On this final Sunday of his teaching on the End, of entering the Kingdom of God in eternity, Jesus reminds us to shape up, body and soul so that we can squeeze ourselves into heaven’s “narrow gate” and “locked door”. Here we find again the second reading giving us more light into the meaning of the gospel this Sunday.
Brothers and sisters, you have also forgotten the exhortation addressed to you as children: “My son, do not disdain the discipline of the Lord or lose heart when reproved by him; for whom the Lord loves, he disciplines; he scourges every son he acknowledges.” Endure your trials as discipline… At the time, all discipline seems a cause not for joy but for pain, yet later it brings the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who are trained by it. So strengthen your drooping hands and your weak knees. Make straight the paths for your feet, that what is lame may not be dislocated but healed (Hebrews 12:5-7, 11-13).
Discipline is a word so misunderstood these days that too often, it is frowned upon, even feared by many. In this age of so much “freedom” without any regard to “responsibility”, discipline has become its main casualty.
From the Latin verb discere which is “to learn” and “to follow”, its noun form disciplina means teaching or learning from which came the word discipulus for disciple, a follower or a pupil. Therefore, a person of discipline is one who follows or obeys teachings. Contrary to the wrong idea of many today that discipline limits freedom which they see as the ability to do whatever one wishes, the more disciplined a person is, the more free the person actually becomes!
When we discipline ourselves in every aspect of our lives like in food and drink intake, in using our time wisely, in budgeting our money and resources among other things, the more we become free to many other things in life. Remove discipline and do whatever you like in your life, eventually you become “unfree” because definitely you will miss your responsibilities and obligations like studies in school and duties at home and the office.
The same is true in our spiritual life: without discipline like prayer life, disorder and sin happen. It is discipline that literally and figuratively shapes us into persons able to squeeze through the narrow gate and locked door of freedom and salvation!
Photo by author, St. Catherine Monastery, Mt. Sinai, Egypt, May 2019.
In following the reflection of the author of Hebrews, we find that discipline is not just a human effort but the work of God too. As St. Augustine wrote, “grace builds on nature” – the more we discipline ourselves, the more blessed we become because God’s grace and gifts in us are perfected. See how discipline is like a built-in “app” God installed in each of us to ensure that we have all the means to reach heaven in Jesus Christ.
Looking back to the past four weeks, we find Jesus as the perfect example of a disciplined person, of leading a disciplined life focused on the mission from the Father. Since he started this long journey, Luke noted in chapter nine how Jesus was “resolutely determined” to go to Jerusalem, teaching us along the way to be like him focused on things of heaven than of earth, always vigilant of the coming End. Since the resumption of Sundays in Ordinary Time last July 06, Luke showed Jesus frequenting the synagogue on sabbath to worship and to preach. Most of all, Jesus prayed a lot which prompted his disciples to ask him to teach them how to pray too. Our celebrating the Sunday Mass in the church is a discipline of highest order because every Eucharistic celebration is a dress rehearsal of our entrance into heaven. Always come until we all gather together in eternity. Amen. Have a blessed and disciplined week ahead everyone. Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II, Our Lady of Fatima University, Valenzuela City (lordmychef@gmail.com).
Lord My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul, 21 August 2025 Thursday, Memorial of St. Pius X, Pope Judges 11:29-39 <*((((>< + ><))))*> Matthew 22:1-14
Photo by Mr. Vigie Ongleo, Virginia, August 2021.
Oh how true are your words,
dear God our Father
these past days
of how clearly we make
life more difficult;
Monday you showed us
in the Book of Judges how
problem is with us always
when we repeatedly turn away
from you in sin and despite your
mercy and forgiveness,
we still refuse to rectify our
mistakes to lead an orderly life;
today, the Lord Jesus Christ's
parable speaks again of our folly,
of the trouble with us
when we take you
and your calls for granted,
refusing to come to you,
to celebrate life
in you
with you:
“The Kingdom of heaven may be likened to aking who gave a wedding feast for his son. He dispatched his servants to summon the invited guests to the feast, but they refused to come. A second time time he sent other servants, saying, ‘Tell those invited: “Behold, I have prepared a banquet, my caleves and fattened cattle are killed, and everything is ready; come to the feast.”” Some ignored the invitation and went away , one to his farm, another to his business. The rest laid hold of his servants, mistreated them, and killed them. The king was enraged and sent his troops, destroyed those murderers, and burned their city” (Matthew 22:2-6).
On the other hand, we waste and destroy every opportunity you give us to be with you, to make a difference in life with many of us making it close to you in answering your calls but unfortunately could not keep up with the mission:
“The servants went out into the streets and gathered all they found, bad and good alike, and the hall was filled with guests. But when the king came in to meet the guests he saw a man there not dressed in a wedding garment. He said to him, ‘My friend, how is it that you came in here without a wedding garment?’ But he was reduced to silence. Then the king said to his attendants, ‘Bind his hands and feet, and cast him into the darkness outside, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.’ Many are invited, but few are chosen” (Matthew 22:10-14).
Teach us to be aware of your presence, Lord; teach us to be conscious of your precious gift of call; teach us to remember always the gladness and joy of being invited to the wedding feast to be one with you, to work for you, to do your will, to be chosen and choose to remain in you to renew all things in Christ like St. Pius X. Amen.
Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II Our Lady of Fatima University Valenzuela City lordmychef@gmail.com
Lord My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul, 19 August 2025 Tuesday, Memorial of St. Ezechiel Moreno, Bishop Judges 6:11-24 ><))))*> + ><))))*> + ><))))*> Matthew 19:23-30
Photo by author, RISE Tower, Our Lady of Fatima University, Valenzuela City, 09 August 2025.
God our loving Father, today I feel like Gideon: in our beautiful story today of your call for him to be a judge of your people, you have taught me that discipleship is not about work like an apprenticeship but a relationship because a disciple's first task is to love you, O Lord, our Master that is why despite the great dangers during his time, Gideon continued to work even in hiding from their enemies because he believed in you, he trusted you, he loved you.
Discipleship is relationship because it is more of looking at you, Lord Almighty the Caller, the Believer, and the Sender of my poor me! Discipleship is not about me that is why, after that meeting with Gideon, he built an altar to you and called it Yahweh-shalom.
Gideon, now aware that it had been the angel of the Lord, said, “Alas, Lord God, that I have seen the angel of the Lord face to face!” The Lord answered Gideon, “Be calm, do not fear. You shall not die.” So Gideon built there an altar to the Lord and called it Yahweh-shalom (Judges 6:22-23).
Shalom is peace and you are our peace, our total well-being O God that can only come from a relationship with you, in you; this is what your Son our Lord Jesus Christ tells us today through Peter, of the need to leave everything and everyone in order to have you.
Calm me, Lord, like Gideon for only one thing is necessary: that we remain in you who is our peace so that even there are turmoils in our ministry, we continue because of our relationship than of work. Amen. Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II Our Lady of Fatima University Valenzuela City (lordmychef@gmail.com)
Photo by author, RISE Tower, Our Lady of Fatima University, Valenzuela City, 09 August 2025.
Lord My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul, 07 August 2025 Wednesday, Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time, Year I Numbers 20:1-13 <*((((>< + ><))))*> Matthew 16:13-23
Lord Jesus Christ, today I pray for the grace and virtue of listening especially in this world so filled with noise with everyone and everything speaking even machines like cars and elevators and phones; how sad that photos about listening are images of headphones and ear pods that are not totally about listening which is more than hearing the sound but also hearing the silence. That is why listening is a virtue, a grace, and an art. Why, even prayer is listening! And that is what we must pray more these days that we learn to listen more in order to truly pray, hear your voice in silence.
The responsorial psalm says it so well this day, "Today if you hear his voice, harden not your hearts."
Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi and asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter said in reply, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus said to him in reply, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father” (Matthew 16:13-17).
You always ask us, Jesus and we can easily answer you when it concerns other people but when you ask us personally, when your question is addressed as "YOU" - we rarely can answer because we do not listen both to you and to ourselves.
Without listening, we cannot answer and follow you, Lord; without listening, we cannot obey you, Lord; without listening, we cannot stay and and remain in you, Lord.
Yesterday in the Feast of the Transfiguration, the voice of the Father was clearly heard, telling us to listen to you, O Lord Jesus, his Chosen Son (Luke 9:35) and we still do not listen.
A 1311 painting of the Transfiguration by Italian artist Duccio di Buoninsegna from commons.wikimedia.org.
Why was only Peter able to answer your question? Maybe because he was the only one who truly listened and understood your question, Lord; and maybe, he was the only one who truly listened and heard the answer from the Father.
Even Moses refused to listen
to you, Lord when he struck twice
the rock at Meribah for water
contrary to your command that cost
his denial of entrance into the
Promised Land;
forgive us, Jesus
for the many times we
have refused to listen
and failed to faithfully
do your work in the way
you want it be done;
forgive us, Jesus,
in listening more
to the ways of the world
than to the ways of God.
Amen.
Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II
Our Lady of Fatima University
Valenzuela City
Lord My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul, 05 August 2025 Tuesday, Memorial of the Dedication of the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome Numbers 12:1-13 <'[[[[>< + ><]]]]'> Matthew 15:1-2, 10-14
Image of painting from pemptousia.com.
When the disciples saw him walking on the sea they were terrified. “It is a ghost,” they said and they cried out in fear. At once Jesus spoke to them, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.” Peter said to him in reply, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” Peter got out of the boat and began to walk on the water toward Jesus. But when he saw how strong the wind was he became frightened; and, beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately jesus stretched out his hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” (Matthew 14:26-31)
Lord Jesus Christ, bless me and keep me focused on you alone when strong winds blow on my path especially when I have to make important "crossings" in my life for me to grow and mature as a person and your disciple.
Many times I doubt and lack the faith in you even I have experienced your miracles and salvation so many times; I feel afraid and forget you are there with me in the darkness of every crossing in this life, failing to recognize you, thinking you are a ghost.
One of the ghosts I am so afraid of is the ghost within me, the strong winds within me that sway me away from you and the path of your Cross life self-doubts; another ghost I am so afraid is what others say about me like that instance in the first reading when Aaron and Miriam spoke ill of your servant Moses.
O dear Jesus, let me be firm in you, hold on tight to you, and just look at you when winds are too strong and it is so difficult to get across, to cross the street or the sea. Amen.
Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II, Our Lady of Fatima University, Valenzuela City (lordmychef@gmail.com).
Photo by Mr. Raffy Tima of GMA7 News, Batanes, September 2018.
Lord My Chef Sunday Recipe for the Soul, 27 July 2025 Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle C Genesis 18:20-32 ><}}}*> Colossians 2:12-14 ><}}}*> Luke 11:1-13
Photo by author, the “Our Father” Church outside Jerusalem where he is believed to have taught his disciples how to pray.
From the home of Martha and Mary, Jesus and his disciples proceeded on their journey to Jerusalem when the disciples saw him at prayer.
Of the four evangelists, Luke is the one who presents Jesus most at prayer, always making time to pray. The disciples noticed this importance of prayer for Jesus that they asked him to teach them how to pray.
More than teaching them the “Our Father”, Jesus again took the occasion to give the Twelve another lesson of things “to do” as a disciple we have seen in the past four weeks like greeting peace every home they visit as they proclaim the Kingdom of God is at hand (July 6, 14th Sunday); being a neighbor to everyone especially those in need in order to gain eternal life (July 13, 15th Sunday); and last week of choosing always the “only one thing needed” by every disciple which is to listen to him and his words.
This Sunday, Jesus deepens that by teaching us his disciples to always pray.
Photo by author, Jerusalem Temple, May 2017.
“And I tell you, ask and you will receive; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. What father among you would hand his son a snake when he asks for a fish? Or hand him a scorpion when he asks for an egg? If you then, who are wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?” (Luke 11:9-13)
More than the mere recitation of a prayer like the “Our Father”, Jesus shows us this Sunday that prayer is the essence of discipleship that is also a relationship with God. That is why he began his lesson in prayer by telling the Twelve, “when you pray, say: Father” that clearly indicates a relationship.
During his time, God was regarded as Someone totally powerful, far from humans whose name could not even be mentioned for its holiness or “otherness”. When Jesus taught to call God “Abba” which is the equivalent to our “dad” or “daddy”, people were scandalized for God is above all to be accorded with the highest respect, never taken on a personal level with such terms of endearment like in human relationships.
Jesus clarified in many instances not only here that though our God is all-powerful and all-knowing, he is a person like us who relates with others, who is so loving and merciful to us he considers his beloved children because he is our Father. Here we find Jesus already bringing God closest to us not only as “God-with-us” but also “God-in-us” so close with each of us as our breath in the Holy Spirit! Jesus proved all these teachings on Good Friday when he died on the Cross.
Photo by author, a bass relief of Jesus Christ’s “agony in the garden” at Gethsemane, May 2019.
Prayer as a relationship is more than telling God what we need which he already knows even before we pray; prayer is more of listening to God for what he wants from us which is to become one in him in Jesus Christ.
I have realized even before my ordination to the priesthood that Jesus calls us not really for tasks he wants us to do but primarily that we may be one in him in an intimate relationship. That is why since my theological studies, I have stopped praying anything for me because God knows what I need most; I pray more for my family and friends while praying only one thing for me – that in every here and now, I am in him until my death.
This intimacy with God in prayer calls for openness that after teaching them the Our Father, Jesus encouraged the disciples to persevere in prayer with a parable of a friend asking for bread, “I tell you, if he does not get up to give the visitor the loaves because of their friendship, he will get up to give him whatever he needs because of his persistence” (Lk.11:8).
Perseverance in prayer is not a kind of “holy nagging” of God in order to change his mind so that he gives our requests. Perseverance in prayer opens us to God’s gifts and plans we acquiesce to with joy. Many complain of God not granting their prayers when in fact, the problem is many hardly pray at all, wearing God with their words without listening to him who has better plans for us by giving us something better than what we are asking for!
Photo by author, a bass relief of Jesus Christ’s “agony in the garden” at Gethsemane, May 2019.
And the best we can have is always him – God himself.
See how Jesus used the transitive verbs “to ask” and “to seek” that both require a direct object when he simply declared “ask and you shall receive, seek and you shall find.” What shall we ask for or seek at all? He did not indicate its direct objects because the answer is only God, as in ask only for God, seek only God.
When we are open to God and into a relationship in him, we are fulfilled, needing nothing at all except him who is everything.
Prayer changes us, not things and situations. There will always be sickness and death, calamities and trials in our lives which prayer cannot prevent from happening. What prayer does is make us stronger in dealing with the storms in our lives, making us better persons and disciples.
No saint had become holy without prayer which is the gateway and foundation of discipleship. This is the whole point of Abraham “bargaining” with God in the first reading: Sodom and Gomorrah were eventually destroyed because no one was left praying and therefore, no one was doing good in the forsaken cities. In their lack of any prayer at all, they have become insensitive of others and of nature that led to their destruction. These are the same dangers our present generation is falling into – a complete disregard of God and others including nature. We have become insensitive of our selves, of others and of the world that we find it so bad, so filled with evil, and so sick. How sad that fewer and fewer people are left praying with so many others not having any qualms at all in missing the Sunday Mass these days.
I have always loved this photo by our friend Ms. JJ Jimeno of GMA-7 News of a man who seemed to have lost his head in deep prayer inside the Prayer Room of the Holy Sacrifice Parish in UP Diliman last June 2019.
Prayer makes us sensitive of God, of our self and of others where we discern what is good and evil, learning what God has in store for us. The more we pray, the more we become sensitive of ourselves and of others and of the world. Yes, we lose ourselves in prayer so that it is Christ who lives in us as St. Paul asserted (Gal.2:20). Contrary to claims by some, prayer is not a flight from reality but actually a dive into the true realities of life as St. Paul tells us in today’s second reading: when we are “raised to life in Christ” (Col. 2:13) in prayers, we are abled to follow Jesus with our own crosses sustained by the gifts of the Holy Spirit in making our society more humane and just.
When we pray, we lose ourselves and we are filled with God so that his kingdom comes when his will is done here on earth as it is in heaven. Amen. Have a blessed week ahead, everyone!
Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II Our Lady of Fatima University Valenzuela City (lordmychef@gmail.com)
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