The Lord Is My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II
Friday, Feast of St. Luke, Evangelist, 18 October 2024
2 Timothy 4:10-17     <*((((><  +  ><))))*>     Luke 10:1-9

Beloved: Demas, enamored of the present world, deserted me and went to Thessalonica, Crescens to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia. Luke is the only one with me… (2 Timothy 4:10-11).

Lord Jesus Christ,
I pray on this beautiful Friday
for those friends and dearest
ones who are like St. Luke to me:
"the only one with me"
in my moments of darkness,
of trials and sufferings,
when everyone was so busy
and never noticed me,
of my need for company
and comfort,
most especially
who reminded me 
of your fidelity 
and love.

Thank you, Jesus
for those people You
sent me like St. Luke,
"the only one with me"
in prayers as I journeyed 
through life's many adventures
and misadventures;
"the only with me"
who readily saw my points
of view;
"the only one with me"
who cheered me up
and let me cry;
"the only one with me"
in poverty;
"the only one with me"
who truly sought to understand
everything to bring out
the best in me,
to find the Christ in me.

O dear Jesus,
I pray for the other
St. Lukes You send us daily,
"the only ones" who care
and stand for women and children
still taken for granted in this world;
"the only ones" who work 
to uplift the marginalized like
the poor and widows,
the sick and those old
people living alone and dying;
most especially,
"the only ones"
still believing in You
and your Church,
still praying and
still proclaiming
your Gospel,
still remaining in Your side
amid the many lures
of this selfish, 
and godless world.
Amen.