Life as a daily Exodus

Lord My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II
Monday in the Thirteenth Week of Ordinary Time, Year II
Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul, Apostles, 29 June 2026
Acts 12:1-11 ><}}}}*> 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 17-18 ><}}}}*> Matthew 16:13-19

*Photo by Dra. Mylene A. Santos, MD, in Ericeira, Portugal, 16 June 2026.*

Our readings today are a parable of the Church, of what we should be as the Body of Christ celebrating the Solemnity of St. Peter and St. Paul, the pillars of the Church. Most of all, both speak of that reality in our lives that life is a daily exodus from our selfish self.

We celebrate St. Peter and St. Paul together as pillars of the Church because they were able to overcome their great differences in personalities as well as their diverse cultural and social backgrounds to be won over by Jesus Christ in proclaiming his good news of salvation. Both eventually died as martyrs like Jesus.

*Photo by author, Our Lady of Fatima University, Valenzuela City, 10 June 2026.*

They displayed deep trust in the Lord whom they have come to know on a personal basis following a series of deep personal exodus through their daily conversion. Saints Peter and Paul did not become saints overnight; they went through a series of personal conversions, of abandonment of selves to God.

The churches in Europe need a lot of this exodus process like in Germany where some clergymen and laypeople refuse to accept the Vatican decision that homily is reserved only for the ordained ministers while a traditionalist group are threatening to ordain bishops and priests without Vatican approval. These are so unlike in the Church before when men and women who eventually became saints chose to suffer in silence than defy Church decisions that eventually through time were accepted.

There is always darkness and uncertainties in the Church, a kind of exodus we need to cross like in the experiences of Sts. Peter and Paul we heard in our first two readings today.

On the very night before Herod was to bring him to trial, Peter, secured by double chains, was sleeping between two soldiers, while outside the door guards kept watch on the prison. Suddenly the angel of the Lord stood by him and a light shone in the cell. He tapped Peter on the side and awakened him, saying, “Get up quickly.” The chains fell from his wrists. The angel said to him, “Put on your belt and your sandals.” He did so. Then he said to him, “Put on your cloak and follow me.” So he followed him out, not realizing that what was happening through the angel was real; he thought he was seeing a vision (Acts 12:6-9).

*Photo by Mr. Lorenzo Atienza of the bass relief of St. Peter by artist Nick Lugue at the Malolos Cathedral, 12 June 2019.*

How could Peter sleep soundly after being arrested and thrown into prison with two soldiers sandwiching him inside his cell while a host of other guards secured the area outside?

It is a very amusing story about our “prince of the Apostles” sleeping soundly so similar with St. Joseph who slept soundly too in a similar critical situation when he decided to silently leave Mary who was found pregnant with a child before they were married.

Both Joseph and Peter slept soundly under critical situations because of their complete trust and faith in God, of their abandonment of selves to God. We find it difficult to sleep when we have problems because we cannot decide decisively as we lack trust and faith in God, unlike Peter and Joseph.

But, Peter shows us another dimension of his trust in God – his total trust also in the Church, believing that they were all praying for him.

It is a beautiful imagery of the Church then and now, always in darkness during night time when Peter was imprisoned. And that is the parable of this scene: it is always a time of Exodus for us in the Church, of passing over from every trials and difficulties, always trusting our leaders, trusting our faithful and most of all, entrusting everything to God!

If there is one thing most needed these days in our Church especially in the Philippines is this attitude of being in an Exodus, of exiting from our imprisonment in partisan politics so that we can go back to our true mission and mandate of preaching Jesus Christ not only with our words but with our lives. We in the Church can be political without being partisan; the moment we become partisan, most likely we are no longer preaching Christ because we are already rooting for somebody else instead of God.

May we imitate Peter by abandoning everything to God in deep prayers, following God not our plans as symbolized by his putting on his belt and sandals as commanded by the angel.

*Photo by Mr. Lorenzo Atienza of the bass relief of St. Paul by artist Nick Lugue at the Malolos Cathedral, 12 June 2019.*

Life can only become a daily exodus when we learn to trust and abandon ourselves to God like St. Peter and St. Paul as we see also in his letter to Timothy:

I, Paul, am already being poured out like a libation, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have competed well; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith. The Lord stood by me and gave me strength, so that through me the proclamation might be completed and all the Gentiles might hear it. The Lord will rescue me from every evil threat and will bring me safe to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory forever and ever. Amen. (2 Timothy 4:6-7, 17, 18)

Imagine the stress of being in prison but without any hint of duress on Paul while awaiting death as seen with his incomparable eloquence in writing, something very evident in all his letters where he always expressed his total abandonment of self to Christ, of his faith in God.

In this beautiful portion of his letter to Timothy, Paul reminds us that life as a daily exodus is to live our lives as a worship to God expressed in that opening line am already being poured out like a libation. A libation is a drink offered to gods in ancient Greece and Rome; as he approached death, Paul summarized here his entire life as an offering to God that we also see in his other writings.

That is the challenge of this solemnity to us, that we live our lives as a form of worship to God.
Our very lives in itself are a prayer, always centered on God, something so foolish when we go by the standards of the world today that is all show – palabas – with nothing substantial inside because only money and fame matter. Paul was very much like Peter who lived their lives as prayers that like Christ in the end, both offered the highest offering of all, martyrdom.

Second thing we find in this excerpt from Paul’s letter to Timothy is the deeper meaning of death as a passage to heaven, an exodus: “The Lord will rescue me from every evil threat and will bring me safe to his heavenly kingdom” (v.18). Paul freely accepts his death, making it a blessing for others that we must emulate. Instead of having those bucket lists of things to do before dying, Paul is teaching us death comes in every present moment that we must always prepare for its happening so that the next generation may continue the good things we have started.

**The lithography of Sts. Peter and Paul in Missale Romanum by unknown artist with initials F.M.S (19. cent.) printed by Typis Friderici Pustet. (Renáta Sedmáková | us.fotolia.com)**

The key to unlocking how Peter and Paul achieved so much for God and for the Church lies in their personal relationship with Jesus Christ mirrored in their lives.

Many Christians are losing their faith and interest in the Church, leaving in great numbers because of the mixed signals we give them on what do we say who Jesus is. The Church grew in leaps and bounds during the time of Peter and Paul because both apostles shared the true Jesus Christ not only in their words but also in their deeds. They trustingly and humbly went through daily exodus beginning in their very selves in knowing Jesus Christ more clearly, loving him dearly, following him closely and witnessing him daily. May your Monday lead you a fulfilling exodus. Amen.

When God seems so far away

Lord My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II
Monday, Tenth Week in Ordinary Time, 08 June 2026
1 Kings 17:1-6     ><))))*> + ><))))*> + ><))))*>     Matthew 5:1-12

*Photo by author, St. Anthony de Padua Chapel, D’Alta Tagaytay, Tagaytay City, 02 June 2026.*

Today we begin to listen anew
to your wonderful story of love for
your people Israel during the time
of your great prophet Elijah,
during the reign of your unfaithful King Ahab
who married the pagan Jezebel;
on this gloomy Monday,
the setting is so unsettling even
for us as you pronounced a severe
drought over Israel for turning away
from you, in worshipping Baal.

God, our Father,
it is a story we keep on repeating:
we have so many baals these days -
from gadgets to every kind of foreign beliefs
to celebrities and people we idolize
down to our very selves with ego
so bloated by social media;
forgive us for turning away from you.

Many times,
when troubles happen,
we easily blame you, Lord
for being too far from us
when in fact we are the ones
who always turn away from you.

Make these drought
and dryness in our lives as grace-filled
moments; lead us back to you
even if we have to go through a desert
like Elijah; most of all, lead us back
to your word like a stream quenching
our thirst, washing away our dirt,
filling us with life.

Elijah the Tishbite, from Tishbe in Gilead, said to Ahab, “As the Lord, the god of Israel, lives, whom I serve, during these years there shall be no dew or rain except at my word” (1 Kings 17:1).

Let us re + member you always,
Lord:
inasmuch as you have made us back
as your part in Christ Jesus,
let us not forget to make you
a part also of our lives;
give us the "be attitude"
to be poor and open
for you, Lord
so that we may find life
and fulfillment anew.
Let us be near to you
again, Lord.
Amen.

Husband & Wife, “suitable partners” in life

Lord My Chef Wedding Recipe by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II
Homily for the Wedding of Luiz & Jana Aranda
San Antonio de Padua Chapel, Alta D' Tagaytay Hotel, Tagaytay City
02 June 2026

*Photo by author, St. Anthony de Padua Chapel, Alta D’Tagaytay Hotel, Tagaytay City, 02 June 2026.*

Congratulations, Jana and Luiz! Finally, the day has come which we all waited for two years since you announced your plans of getting married. And of all present here today in this lovely chapel, Jesus is the most joyful of all.

Yes, Jana and Luiz: Jesus set aside this date of June two, 2026 in all eternity, not last year or next year, yesterday or tomorrow. Jesus set this date apart for you Jana and Luiz to make you “part” of each other as husband and wife – magkataling puso, magkabiyak.

Our first reading from Genesis tells us how God after creating the first man said, “it is not good for man to be alone…. let us create a suitable partner for him.”

I love that word “partner” from the root “part” which we call as bahagi and kabiyak in Filipino. Every whole is made up of a part; without a part, there is no whole.

That is what marriage is all about. As a sacrament or visible sign of Christ’s saving presence, marriage is two people – a man and woman becoming one, becoming a whole in Jesus.

Long before you met each other at 7-11 near Capitol Medical Center where you both worked as nurses, long before you were finally introduced to each other during a badminton game in 2017, when God created you Luiz, he said “it is not good for Luiz to be alone…let us create a suitable partner for him”.

And not just suitable partner, a very lovely one – Jana!

Of course, there are no perfect couples nor perfect marriage but every wedding like this is made in heaven because it is God who calls and brings together every man and woman to become husband and wife.

A couple becomes suitable partner for each other the moment they started dreaming of getting married, of spending one’s life someday with another person even they have not met yet. Any one who makes that vision of sharing his or her life with a beloved automatically becomes a suitable partner.

Kaya always have vision in life, Jana and Luiz.

Having a vision is looking beyond one’s self, looking beyond the present moment, and looking beyond material things. Most of all, having a vision is finding Jesus Christ in your lives always, Jana and Luiz because he was the one who really made ways for you to meet and finally become a part of each other in marriage.

Hindi ba Luiz?

Kaya nga walang kang isinama na iba nang manood kayo ng UST-FEU game noong 2017 UAAP season kahit na usapan ay magsama ka dapat ng ibang friends kasi noon pa lang feel mo na si Jana yung hinahanap mong maging part ng iyong sarili.

Kaya maski na ikaw ay FEU graduate, ipinadama mo kaagad kay Jana na graduate ng UST na part siya ng buhay mo kaya nag-cheer ka sa Tigers, hindi sa Tamaraw. At maski panalo kayo ng FEU sa game noon, pinili mong samahan ang pagdadalamhati ni Jana at marami pang taga-USTe para ipakita mo sa kanya na lalo’t higit sa gayong pagkakataon, ikaw ay bahagi – parte – sa kanyang kalungkutan.

At na-feel mo rin iyon, Jana.

At natiyak mo na si Luiz ang part ng buhay mo nang kahit hindi mo siya kaagad sinagot noon, hindi siya nagbago ng pagtingin at respeto sa iyo. Patuloy ka niyang niligawan, sinuyo at sinamahan sa lahat ngn pagkakataon upang madama mo na bahagi ka ng buhay niya. Palagi kang kasali hindi lang sa mga jokes at kuwento ni Luiz kungdi pati sa kanyang mga baon pagkain!

Hindi nagtagal, napasuko ng Tamaraw ang Tiger at naging kayo na noong January 2, 2018 matapos ninyong mag-usap pagkapanood ng “Coco.”

Hindi na ninyo maikaila pareho na kulang kayo kapag wala ang isa’t isa.

Lalo ito naging maliwanag sa inyong dalawa nang mag-COVID pandemic noong 2020: noon mo nadama Jana na nabubuo ka lang kay Luiz na tunay namang ipinadama sa iyo na ikaw ay bahagi na ng buhay niya. At pati ng kanyang pamilya nang kupkupin ka niya na bahay nila lumagi sa gitna ng maraming panganib at hirap ng panahon ng COVID.

You have always been a part of each other, Jana and Luiz. As well as your moms and siblings. Then, in God’s mysterious ways, you both got accepted to work at UK at the same time and the more you realized and felt each other as a part of each one. Most of all, that everything is a part of God’s plan.

Don’t stop in being a part of each other.

Most of all, inasmuch as you invited Jesus into your wedding today, make him a part of your daily life as husband and wife. Remember that Jesus is in your midst always – not in front, not at the back. Between the two of you so that whatever you do to each other, you do it first to Jesus.

Like in our gospel today.

How lovely to think that the first miracle of Jesus happened not in a temple nor a synagogue but in a wedding feast at Cana. the Sacrament of Matrimony is not everything and I assure you Jana and Luiz, a lot of difficulties would come along your way especially when you have children, when you get old and sick.

But, do not be afraid. You always have Jesus by your side to bless you and keep your love alive as you hurdle life’s many challenges.

Luiz when you work hard and stay faithful to Jana, you first work hard and stay faithful to Jesus. Same with you Jana: when you are loving and sweet to Luiz, you are first sweet and loving to Jesus. But, the moment you hurt each other with lies and infidelities, it is Jesus whom you first hurt.

Tuwing nagkakasal ako, mayroon akong tanong: sino ang unang babati kapag nag-away ang mag-asawa?

Sabi sa akin ng iba, iyon daw may kasalanan pero, mayroon kayang aamin sa dalawa ng kasalanan? Sabi naman ng karamihan, dapat daw lalake ang unang bumati pero hindi ba palaging sinasabi, ladies first?

I don’t want to put you on the spot, Luiz and Jana.

My take on this is simple: when couples and lovers have LQ or even friends have tampuhan blues, the one with most love to give is always the first to make the move for peace and reconciliation. Ang may higit na pagmamahal ang siyang unang babati.

That is why, let me close this homily with a simple request to you Jana and Luiz: please “delete” from your mind, from your consciousness that concept of “dasurv.”

It seems our society these days is afflicted with this disease of asserting each one of “deserving” a reward for various reasons. The moment we assert that we “dasurv” this or that because we worked hard or whatever, that is the time we become selfish, self-centered, and conceited.

When we insist on deserving something more, we forget our being a part of the whole.

When a husband or a wife claims to deserve something more, he or she then forgets his or her part-ner. We do not deserve anything at all in this life. Whatever we have is because of Jesus who made us deserving as you have realized in your life journey, Jana and Luiz.

Thank you for inviting us all to be a part of your wedding day. For our part, we promise to pray for you always that God may bless you abundantly with his grace of love and joy, kindness and mercy. Amen.

*Photo by author, Taal Lake from St. Anthony de Padua Chapel, Alta D’Tagaytay Hotel, Tagaytay City, 02 June 2026.*

When ordinary means extraordinarily

Lord My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II
Tuesday, Memorial of St. Philip Neri, Priest, 26 May 2026
1 Peter 1:18-25 ><))))*> + ><))))*> + ><))))*> Mark 10:32-45

*Photo by author, somewhere in Batangas, 15 May 2022.*

God our loving Father,
as we slowly move into Ordinary Time
in our Church calendar that began yesterday,
delete from our thoughts,
from our orientations,
from our consciousness 
the idea of anything called "ordinary"
as something less important,
less in value because it is
usual,
plain
and simple.
Ordinary.

Make us realize the word "ordinary"
implies orderliness
and regularity,
from the Latin root that
literally means "rule."

Make us realize, 
O Lord,
that the ordinary days,
the ordinary people,
and whatever we refer to as ordinary
actually make up the bulk of our lives
with You, O God,
the Supreme Ordinary of our lives!

Make us realize that whoever
or whatever we deem as ordinary
is the rule of the day -
so, let us stop 
taking them for granted
like leading our lives in You,
according to Your will,
witnessing Jesus Christ 
who had come to show us
the value and dignity
of our being human 
because it is the path,
the rule to fulfillment,
to life and to meaning
as St. Philip Neri 
realized early in his life
in turning away from a life
of ease and comfort
by embracing
then priesthood.

Jesus said, “Amen, I say to you, there is no one who has given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or land for my sake and for the sake of the Gospel who will not receive a hundred times more now in this present age: houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and eternal life in the age to come” (Mark 10:29-30).

*Photo by author, Cabo de Roca, Pundaquit, San Antonio, Zambales, 15 May 2025.*

Finally,
teach me,
dear Jesus,
to have this regularity of life,
of having order in my life
that begins and ends in You
because you have come to make me
and everyone truly special
by being closer to the Father
through one another. Amen.

Peace of Jesus

Lord My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II
Tuesday in the Fifth Week of Easter, 05 May 2026
Acts 14:19-28     ><]]]]'> + ><]]]]'> + ><]]]]'>     John 14:27-31

*Photo by author, Cabo da Roca Villas, Pundaquit, San Antonio, Zambales, 15 May 2025.*

What really 
is your kind of peace,
Lord Jesus?

Jesus said to his disciples: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid” (John 14:27).

I have told you
last Sunday, Lord,
what troubles me:
the fear of being alone,
of being left out;
even if the world
gives me money,
and people with all
kinds of relationships,
I am troubled because
everything
and everyone passes;
only you remain,
Lord.

St. Teresa said it so well:
Let nothing disturb you,
Let nothing frighten you,
All things are passing away;
God never changes.
Patience obtains all things
Whoever has God lacks nothing;
God alone suffices.

*Photo by Dean Mon Macatangga, Our Lady of Fatima University-Valenzuela City, 16 May 2024.*

Your peace, Lord Jesus,
is not found outside us 
but within us – 
right in our hearts 
where we allow you to dwell, 
to reign in us 
amid all our trials and sufferings 
so we continue to forge on 
in this life.

Grant us,
dear Jesus,
the courage and wisdom 
you have given 
Paul and Barnabas who, 
despite the physical harm 
and emotional distresses 
they went through, 
they never wavered 
in their mission of proclaiming 
your Gospel 
because they have you in their hearts.

That is your peace, Jesus:
not an absence of trials 
and sufferings,
of storms and darkness
and other troubles
but your very presence
in our hearts
where you reign supreme,
filling us with your
humility,
justice,
and love.
Amen.

*Photo by author, La Union, January 2026.*

Easter is “moving” in Christ

Lord My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II
Tuesday in the Fourth Week of Easter, 28 April 2026
Acts 11:19-26     ><]]]]'> + ><]]]]'> + ><]]]]'>     John 10:22-30

*Photo by author, Fatih Square, Istanbul, Turkiye, November 2025.*

Easter is about movements:
of moving in Jesus,
moving with Jesus,
moving to Jesus.

Those who had been scattered by the persecution that arose because of Stephen went as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to no one but Jews. There were some Cypriots and Cyrenians among them, however, who came to Antioch and began to speak to the Greeks as well, proclaiming the Lord Jesus. The hand of the Lord was with them and great number who believed turned to the Lord (Acts 11:19-21).

How lovely,
dear Jesus to hear
that despite the fears
due to the martyrdom
 of Stephen in Jerusalem,
your disciples moved north
to Antioch now part of Turkiye
not to hide but to proclaim
your good news!

Strengthen my faith
in you, Jesus that when
things get tough,
when the Gospel is
challenged and dismissed,
let me move boldly in upholding
your message of truth
of a loving God we call Father
calling us to a life of
holiness and freedom
from sin and evil.

*Photo by author, St. Anthony de Padua Church, Taksim Square, Istanbul, Turkiye, November 2025.*

Let me move
in your Spirit, dear Jesus
like Barnabas
filled with joy
not suspicion,
encouraging others
to remain faithful
 in your teachings;
most of all,
let me move in compassion
and brotherly love
like Barnabas to search
for those shy and ashamed
of their sinful past like
Saul who later came to be known
as Paul;
may our movements be
more of gathering
than scattering
to unite and bring together
other believers
as one body,
one community
witnessing your gospel
that others may know us
your disciples,
Christians
like in Antioch.

In this world
with so many voices
shouting and screaming
 for our attention
to be famous,
to be rich,
to be powerful,
teach us to be silent
to distinguish your
voice and call,
Lord Jesus,
our Good Shepherd
whom we must follow
in poverty,
simplicity,
and humility.
Amen.

*Photo by author, Bosphorus River cruise, Istanbul, Turkiye, November 2025.*

Easter is entering Jesus, our Gate

Lord My Chef Sunday Recipe by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II
Fourth Sunday of Easter, Cycle A, 26 April 2026
Acts 2:14, 36-41 ><}}}*> 1 Peter 2:20-25 ><}}}*> John 10:1-10

*Photo by author, 09 February 2026, Museo Valenzuela.*

In the next three Sundays beginning today, our gospel readings will bring us back to Jesus Christ’s teachings before his passion and death because all his pronouncements then are clearest when seen in the light of his resurrection.

As we have mentioned last Sunday, it does not really matter that many or everyone would see the Risen Lord in order to believe him. Like what Jesus had told Thomas the other Sunday, blessed are those who believe without having seen him while last week we have realized in the story of the two disciples returning to Emmaus that the mystery and beauty of Easter is found in the “breaking of bread” when our eyes are opened to recognize Christ who immediately vanishes. This breaking of bread is not just the Holy Eucharist but includes our many experiences when we too experience brokenness in life like the Jews addressed by Peter after the Pentecost.

Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice, and proclaimed: “Let the whole house of Israel know for certain that God has made both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.” Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and they asked Peter and the other apostles, “What are we to do, my brothers?” (Acts 2:14, 36-37)

*“The Road to Emmaus” painting by Ronald Raab, CSC, from ronaldraab.com.*

What a beautiful expression by Luke, “they were cut to the heart” that means they were stirred, they were moved deep inside to a great reality, to a truth that led to their conversion.

It is in our own brokenness when our eyes are opened, our hearts are cut that we find Jesus and become converted.

Despite the scathing words of Peter on their sins on having Jesus crucified, the people did not feel “guilty” in the negative sense of being hopelessly mired in sin. The same thing is true with us: there are moments in life we realize deeply, truly feeling the hurt of having offended God in our many sins that actually lead us to conversion and be transformed into a better person as a disciple of Christ. True contrition does not stop in the realization and admission of our sins; true contrition always leads to conversion. Though we are broken, we are not scattered. In fact, it is in our being broken that we become one, we become whole in Jesus Christ.

Guilt buries, conversion liberates because we find Jesus as the true gate to life who leads us to freedom. In Jesus as our gate in life, we enter a new phase of being free and faithful and loving.

So Jesus said again, “Amen, amen, I say to you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate. Whoever enters through me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. A thief comes only to steal and slaughter and destroy; I come so that they might have life and have it more abundantly” (John 10:7-10).

*Photo by Dra. Mylene A. Santos, MD, at Katmon Nature Sanctuary & Beach Resort in Infanta, Quezon, 03 April 2024.*

Every fourth Sunday of Easter is known as the Good Shepherd Sunday. Only John has this section of Jesus teaching actually to the Pharisees of himself as the Good Shepherd following the controversy in his healing of the man born blind on a Sabbath day.

But before Jesus spoke of his being the Good Shepherd, he first identified himself as the “gate” where the shepherd and the sheep pass through, the direct opposite of the Pharisees and priests of their time who have taken upon themselves as the final standard and arbiter of what is good and holy, of actually usurping the role of God but so stern, so strict. And impersonal.

Hence, the distinction by Jesus in this passage between “thieves and robbers” like his enemies and himself as “the gate” and “the shepherd”.

Whenever I bless homes, I always begin at the door. From the many house blessings I have made, I am not really impressed with the modern, “minimalist” doors with sleek metal handles. What fascinates me most are simple doors with bold colors like lively red or blue. For me, a door is something that exudes with security and protection, not necessarily massive, evoking power.

*Photo by author, Angels’ Hills Retreat Center, Tagaytaty City, April 2025.*

That’s Jesus Christ for me as the gate. My security and protection.

However, still with house blessings, I have always wondered why we Filipinos even abroad are so fond of two things so peculiar just to us: first is having a regular kitchen often for display and a dirty kitchen for daily use and second, side doors to pass through because the main door is kept locked, used only for visitors.

I think they both reveal something about our spirituality wherein we recognize Jesus our gate, our door, our shepherd yet, we still desire to have other doors and gates, perhaps even shepherds like buddhas and amulets we hung in our homes.

This we find when we examine our inner selves, the cacophony of negative voices that fill us, even entertain us like jealousy, envy, anger, resentment, bitterness, greed, and lust. There are times despite our having faith in Christ, we are filled with more negative than positive like curse than blessing, revenge than reconciliation, war than peace, and worse of all, death than life.

*Photo by author, Sacred Heart Novitiate, Novaliches, QC, 20 March 2026.*

Where are they coming from?

Very often, we take them for granted, allowing them to percolate inside us until they boil and burst that we hurt others, most of all, our selves in the process.

“I come so that they might have life and have it more abundantly.”

Jesus our door, our gate, our Good Shepherd invites us anew this Sunday to remain in him, to stay with him. Jesus calls us to break free from these other doors and gates that trap us within so that we may be free and faithful. Most of all, be more loving in the real sense.

Jesus invites us to examine our lives today, before having him and after having him. Like what Peter tells us in the second reading, we are reminded of the new freedom we have in Christ: “By his wounds you have been healed. For you had gone astray like sheep, but you have now returned to the shepherd and guardian of your souls” (1Pt.2:24-25).

During the Last Supper, Judas (not the Iscariot) asked Jesus why he would appear only to them and not to everyone and he replied with mysterious words, speaking about love and keeping his commandments so that he and the Father would dwell on his disciples (Jn.14:23-24). Actually, in speaking that way, Jesus was showing his disciples who include us today that his revelation is not about public display of power but of personal relationship in him based on love. In the whole discourse of Jesus during their last supper from the perspective of John, what is most essential is the love of Jesus and the love of his disciples. And this we shall explore in the next two Sundays before Jesus ascends into heaven.

Again, there is no need to see Jesus physically; the more we love, the more we believe, the more we see him in our hearts. Most especially when we pass only in him as our gate, our door to life and fullness. Amen. A blessed week ahead to everyone.

Being present in God

Lord My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II
Monday, Fifth Week in Ordinary Time, Year II, 09 February 2026
1 Kings 8:1-7, 9-13 <*((((>< + ><))))*> Mark 6:53-56

*Photo by author, Minor Basilica of Our Lady of Manaoag, Pangasinan, 09 January 2026.*

God our loving Father,
your words today in the first
reading and gospel are 
both quick-paced,
everything seemed to happened
so fast: the arrival and 
enthronement of the Ark of the
Covenant in the Temple of Jerusalem
and of people rushing to Jesus 
at Gennesaret after crossing
the lake of Galilee.

Both scenes are exactly like
my life today - everything is 
happening so fast
and I feel left behind,
tired and exhausted;
if I could just touch 
Jesus Christ's cloak
to be healed,
to be comforted,
to be renewed.

When the priests left the holy place, the cloud filled the temple of the Lord so that the priests could no longer minister because of the cloud, since the Lord’s glory had filled the temple of the Lord. Then Solomon said, “The Lord intends to dwell in the dark cloud; I have truly built you a princely house, a dwelling where you may abide forever” (1Kings 8:10-13).

The dark clouds remain
above me, Jesus
and thank you for staying,
for remaining in me;
thank you, Jesus,
for being close to us,
for allowing yourself to be
interrupted
 by our many concerns
that we can touch you
like in Genessaret
where people lived freely
and joyfully regardless of their
faith and culture
as they were simply present
in each moment like when you
crossed over the lake
and allowed yourself
 to be interrupted
even led by them;
teach me to be true to myself
like those in Genessaret
expressing to you my desires
not just what I want;
let me be present with you
as you are present in me each day.
Amen.

Being the light of Christ

Lord My Chef Sunday Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II
Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle A, 08 February 2026
Isaiah 58:7-10 ><}}}}*> 1 Corinthians 2:1-5 ><}}}}*> Matthew 5:13-16

*Photo by author, Carmelite Monastery, Guiguinto, Bulacan, 22 January 2026.*

We continue today Jesus Christ’s Sermon on the Mount that started last Sunday when he called “Blessed” are the poor in spirt, those who mourn, the meek, the hungry and thirsty for righteousness, the merciful, the clean of heart, the peacemakers, those persecuted and insulted falsely.

These blessed ones are not different kinds of persons but every disciple of Jesus Christ who is the truly Blessed One who is poor and meek, hungry and thirsty, merciful and clean of heart. Blessedness is an inner disposition, a being than doing.

And so this Sunday, Jesus reminds his disciples that include us today, of our dignity and responsibility in being blessed, as if telling us, “Blessed are you… You are the salt of the earth… You are the light of the world.”

We whom Jesus called “blessed” already possess the kingdom but in a hidden manner; that is why we as his disciples must make it shine upon the world in our lives, in our witnessing especially in this age that has turned away from God and holiness.

Jesus said to his disciples: “You are the salt of the earth… You are the light of the world. A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket; it is set on a lampstand, where it gives light to all in the house. Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father” (Matthew 5:13, 14-16).

*“Simeon’s Moment” by American illustrator Ron DiCianni. From* http://www.tapestryproductions.com

Last February two we celebrated the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord at the Temple that is also known as Candlemass or Candelaria where Simeon recognized the Child Jesus as the “light of the nations”.

It is one of the beautiful feasts we have with the blessing and lighting of candles outside the church; then, led by the priest, the people enter the church with lighted candles to signify Jesus Christ as our only light and fulfillment in this life.

Jesus asserts that this Sunday. The Bible itself teems with so many references of God being the source of light with Israel as bearer of that light. This explains our first reading today from the Prophet Isaiah:

Then your light shall break forth like the dawn, and your wound shall quickly be healed; your vindication shall go before you, and the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard. Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer, you shall cry for help, and he will say: Here I am! If you remove from your midst oppression, false accusations and malicious speech; if you bestow your bread on the hungry and satisfy the afflicted; then light shall rise for you in the darkness, and the gloom shall become for you like midday” (Isaiah 58:8-10).

So beautiful! And what a prophecy fulfilled in Christ that continues to happen today among us, his blessed ones as disciples!

To be a Christian especially nowadays is to be the bearer of the light of Christ, to illumine the darkness among us especially in this world that has become so fascinated with artificial lights like studio lights that emphasize and focus on men and women, on their fame and glory and wealth. How ironic that the more artificial lights we flood the world these days, the darker life becomes with more crimes, more abuses, and more emptiness and meaninglessness within us.

*Photo by author, Mt. St. Paul ?Retreat House, La Trinidad, Benguet, January 2025.*

Bringing the light of Christ, sharing his light is being holy, being good, being a blessed one, doing what is right, what is true, what is good as Isaiah reminded the people in the first reading.

Bringing the light of Christ, sharing his light is sharing Jesus to the world that we become the God’s answer to the cries and pleas of his people for mercy and justice, for healing and comfort.

Hence, bringing the light of Christ, sharing his light is actually to bring out Jesus within us who had come to us sacramentally in Baptism and continues to come to us in the Sacraments especially the Holy Eucharist we celebrate on Sundays.

Problem is we keep on hiding Jesus within us. This is why he calls us not to hide him like a lamp placed under a bushel basket but let him be like a lampstand that illumines the house.

We are the light of Jesus Christ who shines before others with our good deeds that make God known to others. Not the other way around. Young people call them as “performative” like performative couple, performative student or performative employee. They are all performance, all for the show or the content. Puro palabas, walang paloob kaya walang laman. These are the very ones that Jesus warned to “take care not to perform righteous deeds in order that people may see them” (Mt. 6:1) which we shall hear soon in Lent.

How sad that many people today have become “performative” – pakitang-tao as we say in Filipino who would go to great extent of publicizing everything they say and do like many of the so-called content creators and vloggers. This is most painfully true in the Church of priests and laypeople posting in social media everything they do or “perform” that are always empty of meaning and any sense at all.

Bringing the light of Christ, sharing his light always leads to God’s glory, not to us humans.

Let us keep in our hearts the words of St. Paul today in our second reading:

When I came to you, brothers and sisters, proclaiming the mystery of God, I did not come with sublimity of words or of wisdom. For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ, and him crucified (1 Corinthians 2:1-2).

*Photo by Architect Philip C. Santiago, Basilica of the Annunciation, Nazareth, Israel, October 2025.*

Being the light of Christ in the world is to bring Jesus Christ himself, not ourselves. It is being one in Jesus in his Cross where there is more of inner fulfillment and joy than mere success and happiness.

Being the light of Christ in the world is more than having all those quotable quotes and lofty proses and poetry nor of those grand plans and visions and programs left on paper but never materialized in reality.

Bringing the light of Christ in the world is being wounded and scarred by the Cross, always fading from the light so that only Jesus remains.

Like John the Baptist his Precursor, may his words be our prayer always: “Jesus must increase and I must decrease. Amen. Have an enlightening and illumining week ahead brothers and sisters in Christ!