hiddenness

Lord My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II
Wednesday in the Eleventh Week of Ordinary Time, Year II, 17 June 2026
2 Kings 2:1, 16-14 ><))))*> + ><))))*> + ><))))*> Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18

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

Your words today,
O Lord, 
are lovely paradoxes
expressed in the two readings:
from the second book of Kings,
you invite us to walk with
Elijah and Elisha to experience
both being a mentor and a student,
a companion in life's journey,
comfortable in conversation
and silence, most especially 
in doing your will.

Elijah said to Elisha, “Please stay here; the Lord has sent me on to the Jordan.” As the Lord lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you,” Elisha replied (2Kings 2:6).

And that is how life is,
people come like family and friends
but eventually we part ways
and in every separation,
there remains God who keeps
our bonds together,
even getting stronger after death,
the ultimate separation.
Here you call us, Lord, 
to witness to others your loving presence
as part of our mission,
not for our own glory.
May we have the same courage
of Elisha to show to everyone
your power not for personal gain
but for mission to continue the
works of Elijah.

But before we can go out
witnessing your loving presence
and power, 
dear Jesus,
teach us first to remain hidden
in doing what is right,
what is just,
and what is good as expressed
in your gospel today;
let us realize that despite 
life is now lived in social media,
the more essential things in life
are still and will remain best kept hidden;
it is in that hiddenness where we
must remain and stay like Elisha
to truly witness your great power
not for our own sake and vanity
but for your mission and glory
so that at the end of our daily journey,
we may find you always,
Lord Jesus,
in every "Jordan" we cross
like Elijah
and Elisha. 
Amen.

*Photo by author, sunset at the RISE Tower, Our Lady of Fatima University, Valenzuela City, 10 June 2026.*

The Lord Is My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II
Thursday, Third Week in Ordinary Time, Year I, 30 January 2025
Hebrews 10:19-23 ><}}}}*> + ><}}}}*> + ><}}}}*> Mark 4:21-25

Many times, O Lord Jesus,
I feel you "hide" from me
not because you are avoiding me
but simply because you want me to
find you.
And be surprised
because that is how it is
really with you and the Father
and the Holy Spirit:
you want us
to experience that sense
of awe and wonder
of Jacob in Bethel
when he dreamt of your stairway
to heaven that upon waking up,
he cried out in joy, "Truly,
the Lord is in this spot,
although I did not know it!"
(Genesis 28:16)

Many times in the gospel
you have asked those you have
healed not to say anything
about you to anyone but
the more they talk about you,
dear Jesus;
and this is what you are
telling us today,
that we cannot hide a shining light
or lamp;
any good will always shine
will always be known
and be seen.
And that is YOU,
Jesus.

When I examine my life,
I have experienced many instances
when you, Jesus, had broken
through the surface after being "hidden"
for a long time deep within me;
and what a joy until now
especially when I am confused,
when I feel alone,
when I see nothing
but darkness,
that is actually when you are "hidden",
waiting to reveal yourself
in the simplest occasions,
giving me with "more"
even though I already have
received so much from you
just in finding you!

Grant me the grace, Jesus,
"to approach and seek you
with a sincere heart and in
absolute trust... let me hold
unwaveringly to our confession
that gives us hope for you are
trustworthy as I rouse one another
to love and good works"
(Hebrews 10:22, 23, 24).
Amen.

Category: hiddenness

Finding Jesus hidden within us