Quiet Storm by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II, 20 August 2026
How amazing, O Lord Jesus that when it is already evening, when darkness is all around us, that is when you are actually inside us, if we could just open our hearts and eyes of faith then we shall see you truly our Light glowing within, bringing warmth and joy.
Many times in our darkness we lose sight not only of you, Lord Jesus but also of our self that away from you we lose our identity and let our job and tasks define us or worst, our possessions and achievements as well as pains and hurts; we cave into our darkness within not seeing your wounded handed touching me holding me unmindful of your holding me, loving me.
When things get dark and we can’t see anything teach me Jesus to listen to your silence to feel your presence sense your movements follow your steps waiting trusting self-emptying.
Most of all, Jesus, help me emulate your Mother our Mother too, Mary most holy, to remain focused on you cusping you in my palms when all is dark holding on to your words believing they shall be fulfilled when I remain and stay with you there on the Cross. Amen.
Lord My Chef Sunday Recipe for Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle A, 16 August 2026 Isaiah 56:1, 6-7 ><}}}}*> Romans 11:13-15, 29-32 ><}}}}*> Matthew 15:21-28
Photo by author, Dead Sea region, the Holy Land, May 2017.
The past two Sundays must have been physically tiring for Jesus and his disciples, not to mention emotionally draining as well. After walking on water to join his disciples in the boat tossed by giant waves last week, they finally landed at Gennesaret.
But, things got worse there when some Pharisees and scribes from Jerusalem raised issues against Jesus why his disciples disregarded their ritual traditions of purification like washing of hands before eating; Jesus defended them, declaring that “it is not what enters one’s mouth that defiles a person; but what comes out of the mouth” (Mt.15:11).
Sensing troubles, Jesus again withdrew but this time to the gentile region of Tyre and Sidon to defuse tensions with his detractors and especially for much needed rest.
At that time, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. And behold, a Canaanite woman of that district came and called out, “Have pity on me, Lord, Son of David! My daughter is tormented by a demon” (Matthew 15:21-22).
An ink-drawing by a student of Rembrandt of Jesus with the Canaanite woman at the far left from the Getty Museum Collection.
The scene is lovely with a dash of humor – just as when Jesus thought there would be no fellow Jew to disturb them in Tyre and Sidon being a gentile region, a pagan woman recognized him!
See and feel the drama when Matthew wrote, And behold, a Canaanite woman of that district came and called out, “Have pity on me, Lord, Son of David! My daughter is tormented by a demon.”
Two Sundays ago, Matthew presented us Christ teaching the need to have faith in him because he is our abundance in the midst of our scarcity when he fed more than five thousand people from just five loaves of bread and two pieces of fish; after that miracle, Jesus walked on water to join his disciples in their boat tossed by giant waves due to strong winds in the middle of the lake before dawn to teach the importance of faith in him because Jesus is our certainty and security.
This Sunday, Matthew presents to us another dimension of faith in Christ which leads to intimacy in our relationships with God and with others.
Actually, the Canaanite woman is the second pagan Jesus had accommodated a request for healing. In chapter 8, Matthew tells us how Jesus healed the servant of a Roman centurion who was definitely a pagan.
It is very interesting to note that only these two pagans were praised by Jesus for their faith in him. And that is because they were so engaging in making their request from Jesus.
See how very similar with that centurion who told Jesus, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof; only say the word and my servant will be healed” (Mt.8:8) this Canaanite woman in engaging Jesus for the healing of her daughter:
But Jesus did not say a word in answer to her. Jesus’ disciples came and asked him, “Send her away, for she keeps calling out after us.” He said in reply, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” But the woman came and did Jesus homage, saying, “Lord, help me.” He said in reply, “It is not right to take the food of the children and throw it to the dogs.” She said, “Please, Lord, for even the dogs eat the scraps that fall from the table of their masters.” Then Jesus said to her in reply, “O woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.” And the woman’s daughter was healed from that hour (Matthew 15:23-28).
A painting of “The Canaanite Woman asks for healing for her daughter” by Spanish painter Juan de Flandes ca. 1500 as part of the 47 small panels of paintings commissioned by Queen Isabella I of Castile; from commons.wikimedia.org.
The woman definitely had some faith in Jesus whom she addressed as “Lord” like Simon Peter at the middle of the lake last Sunday. She had also researched on Jesus she called “Son of David” – the title of the Messiah only the Jews would know. Here we find a faith that is growing, deepening into an intimacy as shown by her intense engagement with Jesus.
Intimacy happens when there is an engagement like wrestling. Best example is when Jacob wrestled with an angel until sunrise where he prevailed and was given the new name “Israel” that means one who struggles and prevails with God.
Only those with deep faith in God would wrestle and struggle until they prevail like Jacob, the Roman centurion and that Canaanite woman. Wrestling in Filipino is magbuno – that’s how I imagined the Canaanite woman coming forward to Jesus in homage, begging, insisting, “Please, Lord, for even the dogs eat the scraps that fall from the table of their masters.”
What an amazing faith!
It was very clear with the Canaanite woman they as pagans were not one of the “children” or Jews entrusted with the covenant with God signified by the “bread”; the woman clearly had no intentions of usurping any rights from the chosen people for she knew very well their share, the mere crumbs falling from the table.
However, the Canaanite woman expressed in her tough engagement with Jesus her faith and hope as well that day, they were contented with crumbs but some day, they shall be seated at the table too as expressed by God to Isaiah in the first reading that eventually was fulfilled in Christ. And that’s the other miracle that happened that day: the woman’s hope for salvation in the future was fulfilled at the very moment she wrestled with Jesus for her daughter’s healing!
Many times in life we felt Jesus coming to us in unfamiliar grounds and situations like when he withdrew to Tyre and Sidon where we were weakest, deep into sins, doubting and unfaithful with him.
This Sunday, Jesus invites us to walk with him, even to argue and debate with him, “wrestle” with him in our own Tyre and Sidon because we have nobody else to turn to but him as our joy and fulfillment, healing and forgiveness, most of all, peace.
Do not worry if Jesus would not seem to notice us like the Canaanite woman. Intimacy is more than being close or near Jesus when we come to church or chapel to pray. Our Filipino word for intimacy is more evocative of its nature – matalik that involves active presence leading to total giving of self.
Intimacy is faith in action involving personal contact with Jesus that best happens in unfamiliar territories like Tyre and Sidon where we confront our sins, vulnerabilities and insecurities, weaknesses and failures. It is stripping ourselves naked before Christ like that Canaanite woman who accepted their being referred as “dogs” contented with crumbs. That’s when miracles happen!
Today we remember too those family and friends we have had some falling out and misunderstanding, some for years while others we may be still living with but have a long-running feud and misunderstanding. They are our Tyre and Sidon where Jesus is awaiting us to meet him for healing and reconciliation as reflected by Paul in the Second Reading. Let us have faith to bare ourselves before Christ to be freed from the pains and hurts tormenting us all these years. What matters most is we get intimate with Jesus so the rest of our relationships would follow. Amen. Have blessed, warm and dry week hopefully ahead!
Lord My Chef Sunday Recipe for Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle A, 09 August 2026 1Kings 19:9, 11-13 ><}}}}*> Romans 9:1-5 ><}}}}*> Matthew 14:22-33
Photo by author, Lake of Galilee, the Holy Land, May 2017.
Way back in 2017 on my second pilgrimage in the Holy Land with friends from GMA News, our early morning boat ride was postponed to midmorning due to strong winds in the Lake of Galilee that locals said could be so dangerous.
And that’s how life could really be a lot often in the most poetic sense.
In this journey in life, we not only walk the earth and climb hills and mountains but also have to cross rivers and lakes and seas many times. This is exactly what we do every Sunday when we journey in faith in Jesus, with Jesus just like the disciples at that time.
This year Matthew leads us in this journey. He tells us a totally different scene and setting in giving us a glimpse of the very person of Jesus Christ this Sunday.
Photo by author, Lake of Galilee, the Holy Land, May 2019.
After the miraculous feeding of more than five-thousand people from five loaves of bread and two pieces of fish last week, Jesus ordered his disciples to go ahead of him on a boat to the other side of the lake as he dismissed the crowds; by evening, Jesus was left alone atop the mountain praying while his disciples encountered rough seas a few miles offshore. During the fourth watch of the night, that is, about 3AM, Jesus came to his disciples walking on water.
When the disciples saw him walking on the sea they were terrified. “It is a ghost,” they said, and they cried out of 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 Peter, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” After they got into the boat, the wind died down. Those who were in the boat did him homage, saying, “Turly, you are the Son of God” (Matthew 14:26-33).
Photo by author, San Juan, La Union, 08 January 2026.
How was our journey of faith this past year? Have our trust in God grown or changed?
It is really difficult to measure our faith, of how deep it has become because most often, we still feel fragile and uncertain, afraid and so unsure.
Growing in faith is often not straightforward; many times we feel shaken, almost at a total loss when suddenly Jesus comes at the nick of time. This is most true when we experience death of a loved one or simply someone close to us.
Actually I have been going to many funerals lately: the death of a best friend last week that was followed by the demise of his mother-in-law a few hours after we have laid him to his final resting place. Last week, several friends and relatives have also died in my hometown but I had to beg off in offering Masses to most of them.
Our faith and trust in God are most tested in deaths. Many things run through our minds when we hear someone close had died: most common reaction is how quick was the shift when we have just saw each other or texted each other then suddenly, we hear death had come while we silently whisper within kailan lang magkausap/magkasama pa tayo…
Like the disciples at that time when their boat was being tossed by waves due to strong winds in the middle of the lake at night: they could not believe how a little while they left Jesus at the shore to cross the lake then suddenly, Jesus was coming toward them on water. It must be terrifying indeed!
“Christ Walking On Water” painting by Julius Servus von Klever (1880) from commons.wikipedia.org
Many times too we find ourselves in great difficulty believing – much more accepting – bad news like when we or somebody close to us is diagnosed with a serious illness, had separated from husband or wife, going through a depression or any mental issues, had an accident or lost everything in a fire.
The list is endless of similar situations when we feel like in a boat tossed by giant waves in the middle of the sea at midnight. Like the disciples in the boat, uncertainties and darkness blind us and drive us into fears that sometimes we fail to recognize Jesus already with us.
Just hold on to God amid all the dangers you face with all your worries and doubts, fears and uncertainties. Most of all, “take courage” as Jesus told the disciples in the boat as he approached them on water because he always comes quietly, often unexpectedly.
By the fact we are able to pray, we are able to celebrate Mass on a Sunday, we are able to cry to God, that is enough proof of his very presence in us giving us courage and strength to endure and move forward with whatever we have just like last week when Jesus asked us to give him whatever little we have. What is most important is we call to God, we believe in him no matter how imperfect it may be like Peter who said, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you.”
Ano ba talaga? “Lord, if it is you” – we recognize Jesus our Lord but we can’t remove the “IF” because we are imperfect, divided between doubt and belief.
That’s normal.
There is always that gap in us, like the shore and the sea, doubt and belief that nonetheless keep us in the journey with Christ who asks us to step out in faith even in the high seas.
Photo by author, San Juan, La Union, 08 January 2026.
God does not rush or pressure us to complete faith in him but patiently invites us to grow in trust at our own pace. Even the great Prophet Elijah in the first reading had to wait patiently for God’s coming after fleeing to Mount Horeb to escape the murderous plots of Queen Jezebel against him.
Elijah surely was not aware of everything about God’s plan for him but he had the courage to follow him, to obey him to go to Horeb which is also Mount Sinai where God appeared to Moses. Of course, Elijah knew the scriptures very well, of how God spoke and appeared to Moses and the Israelites in “strong heavy winds and crushing rocks, in earthquake and fire” but found God nowhere. Elijah remained at the mouth of the cave in Horeb until “there was a tiny whispering sound. When he heard this, Elijah hid his face in his cloak and went and stood at the entrance of the cave” (1Kgs.19:12-13).
How lovely is this scene that shows us convincingly that God comes and speaks always in silence. Incidentally, it takes a lot of courage to be silent too.
Faith, like love, comes after an encounter with Jesus. The more we follow Jesus, the more we grow in faith in him as we meet him and most of all, listen to him despite our many imperfections. Just remain in him for he alone is our certainty and security. Let us pray:
Lord Jesus, draw me deeply into a trusting relationship with you by following you more closely as I struggle with my many hesitations and doubts of your presence. Amen.
Photo by author, Anvaya Cove, Morong, Bataan, 21 July 2026.
Lord My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II Monday in the Fourteenth Week of Ordinary Time, Year II, 06 July 2026 Hosea 2:16,17-18, 21-22 <*((((>< + ><))))*> Matthew 9:18-26
Photo by Mr. Vigie Ongleo somewhere in Colorado, 03 June 2026.
So many things are happening in your gospel passage today, Lord Jesus, involving three key persons you have healed with crowds at the background; what I like most, dear Jesus are the gestures involved:
the official came forward and knelt before you and you rose and followed him;
the sick woman came up behind you and touched your cloak you turned around to declare her her faith had saved her;
in the official's home, you drove away the crowd making a commotion, then you came to take his daughter's hand laying dead on her bed and she was brought back to life.
How amazing Lord Jesus that you never fail to respond positively to our human gestures of coming forward to you, of coming behind you, and being still before you; in you, Jesus, our human gestures have become so divine, the ordinary so sublime like the sharing of meal in your name.
While Jesus was speaking, an official came forward, knelt down before him, and said, “My daughter has just died. But come, lay your hand on her, and she will live.” Jesus rose and followed him, and so did his disciples. A woman suffering hemorrhages for twleve years came up behind him and touched the tassel on his cloak. She said to herself, “If only I can touch his cloak, I shall be cured.” Jesus turned around and saw her, and said, “Courage, daughter! Your faith has saved you.” And from that hour the woman was cured. When Jesus arrived at the official’s house house and … When the crowd was put out, he came and took her by hand, and the little girl arose (Matthew 9:18-21, 25).
Bless us, Lord Jesus, to follow you in the desert of emptiness to be able to listen to you and most especially respond to you "in right and justice, in love and mercy, in fidelity" (Hosea 2:16, 21) that we may remain in your loving relationship always. Amen.
Photo by author, St. Michael Retreat House, Antipolo City, 16 June 2026.
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.
Lord My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II Thursday in the Twelfth Week of Ordinary Time, Year II, 25 June 2026 12 Kings 24:8-17 <*((((>< + ><))))*> Matthew 7:21-29
Photo by author, Cantacuzino Castle, Busteni, Romania, 05 November 2025.
Lord Jesus Christ,
I have learned your words
early on that "Not everyone who says to me,
'Lord, Lord,' will enter the Kingdom
of heaven" (Matthew 7:21);
in the same manner,
I have memorized too
your parable on house:
"Everyone who listens to these words
of mine and acts on them will be like
a wise man who built his house on rock.
The rain fell, the floods came,
and the winds blew and buffeted the house.
But it did not collapse; it had been
built solidly on rock.
And everyone who listens to these
words of mine but does not act
on them will be like a fool who built
his house on sand. The rain fell,
the floods came, and the winds blew
and buffeted the house. And it collapsed
and was completely ruined"
(Matthew 7:24-27).
Photo by author, Cantacuzino Castle, Busteni, Romania, 05 November 2025.
Unfortunately, Lord Jesus, I have not taken your words into my heart; so many times I have relied more from the words of others, from my own knowledge colored by my fears and doubts that many times I have fallen into sin; many times I call out to you, "Lord. Lord" but my life is so far from you and your ways; I have been so foolish like King Jehoiachin of Judah who abandoned you to follow other strange gods that soon enough, his kingdom fell into the hands of the Babylonians, suffering a worse fate than Israel before.
Help me to cleanse my house, my very self to renew and strengthen my ties and relationships in the Father through you, Jesus in the Holy Spirit; help me to remain in you, always seeking your will in my decisions and plans in life especially amid the fast changing pace of life these days. May I always seek your face in every new situation I come into. Amen.
Photo by author, St. Michael Retreat House, Antipolo City, 16 June 2026.
Lord My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II Monday, Sixth Week in Ordinary Time, Year II, 16 February 2026 James 1:1-11 ><))))*> + ><))))*> + ><))))*> Mark 8:11-13
Photo by author, Tagaytay City, February 2023.
Let me be focused on you alone, Lord Jesus: like many others today who are facing trials and difficulties, when a lot of situations and people are testing my patience and endurance; grant us the courage and wisdom, and perseverance in seeking your wisdom.
But he should ask in faith, not doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed about by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord, since he is a man of two minds, unstable in all his ways (James 1:6-8).
How sad, dear Jesus, when storms come in our lives, we often lose our focus on you; instead of praying and strengthening our inner self and will, that is when we waste time with our various coping mechanisms that do nothing to help us solve our problems but even worsen them; keep us centered in you alone, Lord - convinced and contented not like the Pharisees who keep on asking your for signs despite they have seen all your works. Amen.
Lord My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II Thursday, Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, 01 January 2026 Numbers 6:22-27 ><}}}}*> Galatians 4:4-7 ><}}}}*> Luke 2:16-21
“The Adoration of the Shepherds”, a painting of the Nativity scene by Italian artist Giorgione before his death at a very young age of 30 in 1510.
Still a blessed Merry Christmas to everyone! Please continue greeting one another with a Merry Christmas until January 11, 2026, the Feast of the Lord’s Baptism that closes the Christmas Season.
Keep greeting Merry Christmas even on this new year’s day because what we celebrate today is the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God – not the New Year! Remember we had our new year last first Sunday of Advent, evening of November 29 and the 30th.
Stop announcing our New Year’s Mass. Our Mass today is Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God which is the Eighth Day within the Octave of Christmas.
It is the oldest feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary that celebrates the mystery of her being the Mother of Jesus Christ who is true God and true Man following the Council of Ephesus in 431 AD. Since Jesus remained fully God and fully human in his conception by the Blessed Virgin Mary, it is right and proper too as the Council affirmed to call Mary the “Mother of God” (Theotokos). Since the birth of Christ is also our point reference in reckoning time that we have the terms “BC” (Before Christ) and “AD” (Anno Domini or Year of the Lord), this celebration teaches a lot on how to welcome this 2026 like Mary.
Photo by author, mosaic of Mary with Jesus, Hagia Sophia, Istanbul, Turkiye, 01 November 2025.
First lesson the Blessed Virgin Mary teaches us this new year in Christ is what we have mentioned last Christmas – if there is anything that merits haste, it is those of things of God. How sad that these days we are so preoccupied with what is trending and viral or we race for what is “in” in fashion and everything. In an age of instants, we rush everything that we miss out life itself, God and one another, especially our very selves.
The shepherds went in haste to Bethlehem and found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known the message that had been told them about this child (Luke 2:16-17).
Mary went in haste too for the Lord. Recall her response to the Angel at the Annunciation, “Be it done unto me according to your word.” Her response was immediate. She did not dare the Angel like Zechariah. After the Annunciation, Mary went in haste to visit her cousin Elizabeth pregnant with John the Baptist.
Photo by author, December 2020.
It is true that “haste makes waste” because doing things too quickly leads to mistakes that result in greater losses in time, effort, and materials. The great St. Francis Sales cautioned us that haste is the biggest enemy of growth in spirituality.
However, during the Christmas season, we find that haste is not that totally bad at all.
As shown to us both by Mary and the shepherds, there is something so good with making haste to find Christ, to share Christ, to be with Christ.
We have a prayer formula now rarely used in public prayers wherein the leader says “O God come to my assistance” with the people responding, “O Lord make haste to help me” while making the sign of the Cross like in the praying of the Rosary. It is a beautiful prayer that tells us how God would always hasten to come to us even before we have called Him!
How sad that we rush to everything and everyone except to Jesus our Lord and God! More sad is the fact so many people have been in making haste to these days for the more mundane things without even spending some quality time in the church to pray.
This 2026, let us go in haste in the Lord for He has so many things in store for us as the shepherds and Elizabeth realized.
From forwarded cartoon at Facebook, December 2020.
Second important lesson the Blessed Mother is teaching us in welcoming Jesus Christ this new year is the value of silence which is a prerequisite in cultivating a prayer life, in making haste to God.
Though I grew up from the very barrio that manufactures most of the pyrotechnics sold in my hometown of Bocaue in Bulacan dubbed as the fireworks capital of the Philippines, I never liked these popular products every new year. Aside from being so dirty, these are so dangerous as I have seen many of our neighbors who have lost their arms, hands or fingers in manufacturing and playing with fireworks. Worst of all are the many lives of people lost following explosions of some factories in our barrio.
When I became a priest, I kept telling people including my barrio folks that welcoming the new year with fireworks is pagan practice, not Christian. And the most Christian way of welcoming new year like Mother Mary is always in silence, silent prayer like before the Blessed Sacrament.
Photo by Ar. Philip Santiago, Chapel at the Angels’ Field in Bethlehem, October 2025.
All who heard it were amazed by what had been told them by the shepherds. And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart (Luke 2:18-19).
It is very interesting that Luke had told us how people were amazed at what the shepherds spoke about that night on the birth of Jesus Christ they have found on a manger with his Mother Mary and her husband Joseph. Keep in mind that the shepherds were among the least trusted people of that time but their story went “viral” and “trending” so to speak. Amid all these talks was Mary, the Mother of Jesus, silently meditating everything in her heart!
Tonight or today, try to spend some silent moments of prayer before the Blessed Sacrament to thank God for all the blessings of 2025 as well as to listen to Christ’s instructions and plans for us this 2026. Jesus has always something to tell us but we always go in haste somewhere else or to somebody else. Jesus is right there in our hearts, the faintest voice you always dismiss and take for granted.
Let us cultivate a prayer life like Mary who always kept in her heart the words and experiences she had with Jesus. Let us not be like the shepherds who were there only at Christmas, never came back to Jesus specially when he was preaching in Galilee and when crucified on Good Friday wherein his constant companion in silence was Mary his Mother.
Photo by Ar. Philip Santiago, Basilica of the Annunciation, Nazareth, October 2025.
Third important lesson the Blessed Mother Mary is teaching us this first day of 2026 is to have faith in God in Jesus Christ His Son our Savior. Therefore, please stop all those superstitious beliefs of pampasuwerte like feng shui and fortune telling that are pagan practices.
When eight days were completed for his circumcision, he was named Jesus, the name given him by the angel before he was conceived in the womb (Luke 2:21).
Mary was very much like us when Mary gave birth to Jesus on that first Christmas: she too was totally unaware of what was in store for her, of what would happen to her Son. She was totally unaware of what would happen in the future. The only thing she was certain was the name to be given to her child, “Jesus” which means “God is my Savior”.
All blessings come only from God, not from any other spirits. We drive all the malas and bad spirits and negative vibes of the past year not with noises and blasts of trumpets or fireworks but with silence that is rooted in deep faith in Christ Jesus.
Such was the attitude of Mary on that first Christmas until her glorious Assumption into heaven: she never knew Jesus would be betrayed by one of his trusted friends and apostles; she was never told by the angel how after Jesus would feed and heal so many people He would later be arrested and crucified like a criminal except that she believed in Him until the end, remaining with Christ at the foot of the Cross.
All Mary had was a deep faith in Jesus as told her by the angel as the name to be given to her child is also the child of the Most High. Like Mary, let us keep our faith in Christ alone, not to round fruits nor stones nor other stuffs peddled to us to bring luck this new year.
Let us imitate Mary, the Mother of God, so human like us except in sin who was always in haste with things of God, silently meditating his words and workings, and most of all, trusting wholly in her Son Jesus. Amen. May your new year be filled with Christ’s peace and grace!
Photo by Ar. Philip Santiago, Basilica of the Annunciation, Nazareth, October 2025.
Lord My Chef Daily Recipe by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II Thursday in the First Week of Advent, 04 December 2025 Isaiah 26:1-6 <*((((>< + ><))))*> Matthew 7:21, 24-27
Photo by author, Malolos Cathedral, December 2019.
On that day they will sing this song in the land of Judah: "A strong city have we; he sets up walls and ramparts to protect us. Open up the gates to let in a nation that is just, one that keeps faith" (Isaiah 26:1-2).
Like most cities, O Lord our God, I lay in ruins: physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually; feeling lost, almost collapsing, trembling in so many fears and concerns; but my faith in you assures me of being "a strong city" with "walls and ramparts" that protect me; I may not see them now but "open the gates" of my heart to trust in you, in your continuing work in me so mysterious that leads to victory eventually.
Give me patience and perseverance; enliven my hope in you, Jesus Christ who comes to me daily, dwelling in me to be my "everlasting rock".
Jesus said to his disciples: “Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock. The rains fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and buffeted the house. But it did not collapse; it had been set solidly on rock” (Matthew 7:24-25).
Keep me faithful in you, Lord Jesus as I rejoice in your works, in your comfort, in your presence and coming. Amen.
Lord My Chef Daily Recipe by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II Monday, First Week of Advent, 01 December 2025 Isaiah 4:2-6 ><]]]]'> + ><]]]]'> + ><]]]]'> Matthew 8:5-11
Photo by author, Malolos Cathedral, December 2018.
Blessed are you, O God our Father for this first day of December, the first working day in this blessed Season of Advent as we prepare for your Son Jesus Christ's Second Coming; cleanse our hearts, O Lord so that you may dwell in us, come to us as as we dwell in you, come to you, "our shelter and protection; shade from parching heat of day, refuge and cover from storm and rain" (Isaiah 4:6).
How lovely are your words today, O Lord, as you fulfill in Jesus Christ our gathering in you as your people, this time not just in a building like the old temple of Jerusalem nor our modern churches; teach us to be more humble like that centurion in recognizing your supreme authority for you are Authority yourself; despite his not being a Jew, the centurion had the faith and humility in Jesus Christ's healing of his servant without touching nor seeing him.
O dear Jesus, you are the New Temple, you are our Temple, our dwelling no longer made by hands: grant us the grace of genuine faith and humility in you especially during the Mass right before we receive you in the Holy Eucharist saying the very same words of that centurion you praised, "Lord, I am not worthy that You should come under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed" (Matthew 8:8). Amen.
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