Lord My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul, 09 July 2025 Wednesday in the Fourteenth Week of Ordinary Time, Year I Genesis 41:55-57, 42:5-7, 17-24 <'[[[[>< + ><]]]]'> Matthew 10:1-7
Photo by author, Sacred Heart Novitiate, Novaliches, QC, 20 March 2025.
Praise and glory to you, most loving God our Father in making us so strong beyond our knowing like Joseph in the first reading when he met after so many years his brothers who have sold him into Egypt; I could feel the strong tensions within him, of bursting into tears of joy and sadness, pain and healing when he finally met again his brothers who disowned him and sold him --- Of that lingering feeling within him of being lost, a lost one so sadly lost not due to his but own brothers' making.
When Joseph’s brothers came and knelt down before him with their faces to the ground, he recognized them as soon as he saw them. But Joseph concealed his own identity from them as soon as he saw them and spoke sternly to them. The brothers did not know, of course, that Joseph understood what they said, since he spoke with them through an interpreter. But turning away from them, he wept (Genesis 42:6-7, 23-24).
I pray dear Jesus today for those many children so lost these days after they were given away by their own mother or after their parents have breakup in marriage; fill their emptiness within with your loving presence, Lord, while making them realize human love is always imperfect like our relationships; make them choose to become better not bitter despite their broken homes.
Most especially, I pray for those lost in life - those who have lost their dreams, their faith, their belief in others; help us find them, Jesus and lead them back to you. Amen.
Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II Our Lady of Fatima University Valenzuela City
Lord My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul, 02 July 2025 Wednesday in the Thirteenth Week of Ordinary Time, Year I Genesis 21:5, 8-20 <*[[[[>< + ><]]]]*> Matthew 8:28-34
Photo by author, Pater Noster Church, the Holy Land, May 2019.
Praise and glory to you, loving Father for always remaining faithful with us, for always staying with us especially in those times of expulsions, when we are driven out, when we are shoved off by situations and occasions, especially by people.
Sarah noticed the son whom Hagar the Egyptian had bore to Abraham playing with her son Isaac; so she demanded of Abraham: “Drive out that slave and her son! No son of the slave is going to share the inheritance with my son Isaac!” Abraham was greatly distressed, especially on account of his son Ishmael. But God said to Abraham: “Do not be distressed about the boy or your slave woman… God heard the boy’s cry, and God’s messenger called to Hagar from heaven: “What is the matter, Hagar? Don’t be afraid; God has heard the boy’s cry in this plight of his” (Genesis 21:9-12, 17).
How lovely of you, God our Father to be still there, remaining, staying with Abraham so distressed with Sarah's order to drive out his son Ishmael and his mother Hagar; many times, we too are caught in such a bind and dilemma when people close and dear to us demand us to expel some people dear to us; stay on our side so we can make the right decision; most of all, remain with us, hear us and follow us, Father when we are expelled, driven out from our comforts into life's wilderness like Hagar and Ishmael.
Most of all, be with us Jesus when people drive us out of their lives, of our friendships and relationships when like you, after driving out the demons from those possessed was the one expelled from the town. There are times, Jesus, when after doing what is right, what is just, what is proper, it happens that we are the ones driven out. Remain with us, stay with us. Amen.
Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II Our Lady of Fatima University Valenzuela City
Photo by Dra. Mylene A. Santos, MD, Katmon Nature Sanctuary & Beach Resort, Infanta, Quezon, 2020.
Lord My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul, 01 July 2025 Tuesday in the Thirteenth Week of Ordinary Time Genesis 19:15-29 ><)))*> + ><)))*> + ><)))*> Matthew 8:23-27
Praise and glory to you, God our loving Father for this brand new month of July, for the blessed first half of 2025! You have been most kind to us this year with so much grace poured on us despite our being undeserving while at the same time, so merciful to have spared us from many troubles we truly deserved for our sins.
That is why, Father, I hate seeing those prayers and wishes of many saying at the start of each month to please be more kind to us; you have always been kind and generous more than enough to us especially in giving us your Son Jesus who have enabled us to cross many seas and lands in this journey of life; many times, there are storms in life that we get so afraid like in the gospel today....
Many times we feel so caught in the middle of a "violent storm on the sea" of life where we are "swamped by waves", so terrified, so lost, feeling alone when deep in our hearts Jesus is with us, probably "sleeping".
Then in the nick of time, he comes, rebuking the winds and the sea when great calm follows just like what the angels did to Lot and his wife when you destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah in the frist reading.
Photo by author, Cabo da Roca, Pundaquit, San Antonio, Zambales, 14 May 2025.
Lord Jesus, give me that gift of a sense of "dead calm" in you; to be at peace and still in you while in the midst of a great storm when I feel like being flattened by waves; let me seek your peace and kindness amidst the the cries and shouts when I feel like sinking, of perishing.
This brand new month of July, I know you will fill me again with your blessings; let it be enough for me to forge on in this remaining six months of the year, to continue crossing life's many seas to bring you, to share you, and simply be with you. Amen.
Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II Our Lady of Fatima University Valenzuela City
Lord My Chef Sunday Recipe, Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II Solemnity of Sts. Peter & Paul, Apostles, 29 June 2025 Acts 12:1-11 ><}}}}*> 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 17-18 ><}}}}*> Matthew 16:13-19
St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican in Rome.
We enter today the 13th week in Ordinary Time with a fourth celebration on a Sunday of another Solemnity, that of Saints Peter and Paul, the two pillars of the Church Jesus Christ established over 2000 years ago.
Sts. Peter and Paul were men of diverse backgrounds with Peter the fisherman, impulsive and so human while Paul the Pharisee was an intellectual converted by an encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus. Both were flawed as persons yet so loved and called by the Lord – Peter as first leader of his church and Paul as its first missionary to the Gentiles. Their Solemnity reminds us of Christ’s call for us to build his Body, his Church here on earth.
While this celebration is about the two great apostles of Jesus, our readings direct us to God’s goodness and grace in his actions on behalf of the church founded by Christ. Its focus is on God, not ourselves.
Statues of Sts. Peter & Paul, st. Peter’s Basilica, Rome; photos from opusdei.org
Being an apostle of Jesus is not about doing great things or being so good but more of encountering and keeping faith in Christ our Lord. By recognizing ourselves as the church – the Body of Christ as we have reflected last Sunday, all of our actions are indeed God’s actions on behalf of the church because it is through us that the proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus’ death and resurrection is continued and completed in this age.
What is essential is we constantly enter into a conversation with Jesus in prayer not only to tell him things but most especially for us to realize how he sees us!
When Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that 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. And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:13-18).
Photo by author at Caesarea, Israel, May 2017.
What really happened at Caesarea Philippi was a close encounter of the apostles with Jesus, especially Simon whom would he called as Peter on that day on.
Very often in most reflections and commentaries, we are told to answer the question of Jesus like Peter in our most personal way not based from what we have read or heard: “who do you say I am?”
Of course, what else can we say but imitate Peter’s answer that seems to be the most correct answer.
But, is it really the best answer? Not really.
Paul later in his many writings will declare similar answers but far more better like when he said “For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Phil.1:21).
Jesus is telling us something else in this scene, as if asking us too, would you want to know “who do I say you are?” What the Lord is actually telling us in this scene is the fact that he knows us so well inasmuch as he knows himself perfectly because he is God. In fact, he had said there was no need for him to have human testimony as the Christ (Jn. 2:25; 5:34).
Photo by author, Sea of Galilee, Israel, May 2019.
What I see more at Caesarea Philippi is Jesus Christ’s omniscience as God who knows everything – even that early he already knew Peter would deny him thrice, that Judas Iscariot would betray him, so on and so forth.
Jesus knows everything about us but he chose to love and believe in us that despite and in spite of everything he knew that could go wrong with us later in life, of how we would fall into sin over and over, STILL – he calls us, he sends us on a mission because he believes in us, he loves us.
Many times in life, we forget the truth about the saints who are just like us, ordinary people with many weaknesses and flaws, imperfections and even idiosyncrasies. What made them stand out and did all those great feats for the Lord was because they were able to see themselves the way Jesus sees them.
That’s the very core of the story at Caesarea Philippi – Jesus made the apostles felt especially Peter how valuable they were, how they were all loved, of how Jesus saw them as his ambassadors later when he returns to the Father.
Bass relief of St. Peter at the Malolos Cathedral, 2019.
Jesus had no need of knowing what people were saying about him because he knew himself so well aside from the fact he surely knew what they were saying about him. Actually, the answers the apostles gave him were for them to know and think about why people wrongly perceived Jesus.
Most of all, Jesus had no need to know what everyone of us is saying about who he is because, again, he knows himself perfectly. Whatever answer others would have given about him would have been surely appreciated and praised by Jesus. What matters most for everyone to realize is the fact that despite Christ’s foreknowledge of Peter’s fall and weaknesses, he still dared to call him to head his church. The same holds true with everyone of us. Jesus wants us to continue building his Body, his church here on earth, to make Jesus more present in us in this world so dark and lost searching for meaning except in Christ.
The same thing is true with Paul when Jesus called him on the road to Damascus to persecute the first Christians. Jesus knew everything Paul was doing; most of all, Jesus knew that even when converted, Paul would still be stubborn and insistent, would eventually quarrel with other disciples like Peter, Barnabas and John Mark but still, Jesus called him and even set him aside for a special mission to the Gentiles.
Bass relief of St. Paul at Malolos Cathedral 2019.
Again in his experiences, Paul saw how Jesus loved and trusted him that even he were the worst of all the apostles of the Lord, he was given such great task of proclaiming the gospel to the ends of the earth at that time. That is why in our second reading we find Paul giving up his whole life in the service of Jesus after experiencing Christ’s tremendous love for him.
Like Peter and Paul, we are all gifted with the same faith in Christ Jesus who challenges us to accept the same mission to continue in this modern time of proclaiming his gospel of love and mercy, of building up his Body the church so that there would be a more humane and just society here on earth as Vatican II envisioned (Lumen Gentium).
Many times when God works in us and through us, we could not believe it as happening like Peter when set free from prison by an angel at night. There are times we are resigned with our situations, of being deserving of the many hardships and sufferings without realizing that there are more bad things we deserve to suffer in this life but Jesus spared us because he believes in us that he sends us to some more missions for him.
Lord Jesus Christ, thank you for still calling me, sending me to a mission despite my many flaws and imperfections; thank you for trusting me, believing me; let me see myself the way you see me as someone worth loving and trusting. Amen.
Lord My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II Sacred Heart Novena Day 6, 23 June 2025
Detalye ng painting ng Sacred Heart of Jesus sa Visitation Monastery, Marclaz, France mula sa godongphoto / Shutterstock.
Sigurado, sasabihin ninyo ako ay kumakanta na naman sa pagninilay dahil sa ating pamagat na “Tag-Araw, Tag-Ulan” mula sa awitin ng yumaong si Haji Alejandro noong aming kabataan ng 1977.
Bata pa lamang po ako ay mahilig na ako sa radyo at tugtugin kaya hindi ko maiwasang maugnay palagi maski sa pagdarasal ang maraming awiting aking nagisnan.
At heto na nga po ang titik ng awit ni Haji na noon ay tinaguriang “kilabot ng mga kolehiyala” di lamang sa kanyang porma kungdi sa ganda ng boses at mga tema ng pag-ibig sa kanyang musika katulad ng “Tag-Araw, Tag-Ulan”:
Tag-araw, sa may dagat namasyal At pagdilim, sa may baybay humimlay At nagyakap, sabay sa pagsabog ng alon Sabay sa paghuni ng ibon, saksi ay liwanag ng buwan 'Di ba sabi mo pa, na wala pang iba Na ako ang una sa pagmamahal mo, sinta?
At ang buhay nating dal'wa ay nagbunga Ng makulay na pag-ibig na dakila Ngunit, bakit ngayong umuugong ang hangi't ulan 'Sing lamig ng gabi ang mga halik mo? Ni wala nang apoy, titig mo sa akin Naglaho ba ang pagmamahal mo, sinta?
Larawan kuha ng may-akda, La Trinidad, Benguet, 12 Hulyo 2023.
Hanapin na lamang po ninyo sa YouTube.com ang awit ni Haji na “Tag-Araw, Tag-Ulan” dahil ngayong ika-anim na araw ng ating Nobena sa Kamahal-Mahalang Puso ni Jesus ay bisperas din ng Dakilang Kapistahan ng Pagsilang ni San Juan Bautista, ang tagapaghanda ng Kristo.
Bukod tanging siya lamang at si Jesus ang ipinagdiriwang natin ang kaarawan ng pagsilang bilang Dakilang Kapistahan o Solemnity, ang pinaka-mataas na antas ng selebrasyon sa Simbahan. Palaging pinag-ugnay ng mga ebanghelista lalo ni San Lukas ang buhay at misyon nina San Juan Bautista at Panginoong Jesus na magpinsang makalawa.
Bagama’t ating ipinagdiriwang din ang pagsilang ng Mahal na Birheng Maria tuwing ika-walo ng Setyembre, ito ay Kapistahan lamang o Feast. Kaya kung inyong napapansin, ang kapistahan kadalasan ng mga Santo at Santa ay petsa ng kanilang kamatayan dahild doon sila pumasok sa buhay na walang hanggan.
Marahil sa bahaging ito nagtataka na kayo nasaan ang kaugnayan ng ating introduction na awitin ni Haji na “Tag-Araw, Tag-Ulan” at nina Jua Bautista at Jesu-Kristo at ng Kanyang Kamahal-Mahalang Puso? Heto po mga kaugnayang iyon:
Isinilang si Juan Bautista panahon ng summer solstice, ang pinakamahaba at pinaka-maliwanag na araw sa buong taon tuwing Hunyo habang si Jesus naman ay isinilang ng winter solstice, pinaka-mahaba at pinaka-madilim na araw tuwing Disyembre upang ipakita kanilang ugnayan: dala ni Juan Bautista ang liwanag ni Kristo na siyang liwanag sa gitna ng malaking kadiliman ng mundo.
Ang salitang “SOLSTICE” ay mula sa wikang Latin ng pinagsamang mga kataga na “SOL” (araw o sun) at “SISTERE” (tigil o hinto, stop o stand still gaya ng “to desist/resist” sa Ingles) na kung saan pansamantalang tumitigil o humihinto ang mundo at tumututok sa araw kaya pinaka-maliwanag din ang araw na iyon. Ayon sa PAGASA, naganap ang summer solstice ng 2025 sa bansa noong Sabado, ika-21 ng Hunyo bandang alas-10:42 ng umaga;magaganap ang winter solstice naman sa ika-21 ng Disyembre, 2025 ganap na alas-11:03 ng gabi na siyang pinakamahaba at madilim na araw naman.
Yung awit ni Haji ay “summer solstice” sa Pilipinas na kung saan ating nararanasan ang tag-ulan sa tag-araw, hindi ba? Sa awit ni Haji, nagtataka siya bakit huminto ang kanilang pagmamahalan na tila lumalabo na kanilang samahan katulad ng malakas na ulan sa gitna ng sikat ng araw.
Larawan kuha ng may-akda sa St. Paul Spirituality Center, La Trinidad, Benguet, 06 Enero 2025.
Ang ganda ng larawan, hindi ba?
Subalit, hindi ba ganyan din kadalasan ugnayan natin sa Diyos, parang malabo na di maintindihan? Alalaong-baga, itinakda ng Diyos na natural na tumigil (sistere) pansamanatala ang mundo sa harap ng araw (sol) upang magkaroon ng SOLSTICE upang pahabain at paliwanagin ang araw minsan kada Hunyo at dagdagan ang dilim ng gabi minsan kapag Disyembre upang mabalanse ang init at lamig sa daigdig. Kapag walang solstice, maaring masunog at matusta siguro ang mundo! Kaya mahalaga ang solstice na siya ring panawagan ng Diyos sa ating lahat ngayon.
Dumating si Juan Bautista upang magkaroon ng sosltice kung baga upang tumigil at magisis ng mga kasalanan at magsuri ng sarili upang magbalik sa Diyos sa pamamagitan ng pagkilala at pagmamalasakit sa kapwa.
Ito rin ang kailangan natin sa buhay ngayon, ang pagtigil at pananahimik. Tingnang paanong pinatahimik ng anghel si Zacarias na ama ni Juan Bautista. Katulad niya tayong mga tao ngayon. Puro tayo mema – memasabi lang. Puro kuda ika ng mga bata. Lahat iniisip natin maski problema ng Diyos, problema ng mga kung sinu-sino.
Napansin ko sa aking pagiging chaplain dito sa unibersidad, maraming mga bata ngayon ang “over-thinker” pero hindi na man “critical-thinker”.
Senyales ng kawalan ng pagtitiwala maging ng pananampalatay ang pagiging overthinker – lahat kasi inaalala at kinatatakutan. Madalas mga overthinker ay manipulator at control freak din. Wala kasing tiwala katulad ni Zacarias na ang lakas ng loob hamunin ang angel sa tanong niya kung paano niya matitiyak na totoo ang mabuting balita sa kanya ng pagkakaroon ng anak gayong baog at matanda na si Elizabeth na kanyang may-bahay?
Sa kabilang dako naman, pagmasdan ang kusang pananahimik o pagtigil (sistere) ni Elizabeth sa loob ng kanilang tahanan ng anim na buwan nang siya ay magdalantao kay Juan Bautista. Puno siya ng tiwala at pananampalatay sa Diyos katulad ng kanyang pinsang si Maria na pagkaraan ng anim na buwan ay babalitaan din ng anghel ng pagsilang niya sa Kristo.
Katulad din niya si Jeremias na tinawag at hinirang ng Diyos sa unang pagbasa upang maging kanyang propeta. Bagaman ipinakikita ng tagpo ng unang pagbasa ang pagkakahalintulad ng misyon nina Jeremias at Juan Bautista bilang tagapagsalita ng Diyos, ipinakikita rin sa atin ang attitude niya na tumigil at tumalima sa atas ng Diyos.
Larawan kuha ng may-akda, Cabo de Roca, Pundaquit, San Antonio, Zambales, 14 Mayo 2025.
Sa kuwento ng pagsilang ni Juan Bautista, ipinakikita sa atin kung paanong ang Diyos ay pumapasok sa ating panahon at buhay upang isagawa ang kanyang pagliligtas. Subalit malinaw din sa kuwentong ito ang pakikipag-isa ng tao tulad nina Zacarias at Elizabeth maging ni Jeremias upang maganap plano ng Diyos kay Jesu-Kristo.
Ito ang misyon na ipinagpapatuloy ng Simbahan gaya ng pagninilay at paliwanag ni San Pedro sa ikalawang pagbasa. Kung titingnan natin, madalas parang malabo ang Diyos, parang tag-ulan sa tag-araw na tinatawag tayo sa misyon kay Kristo gayong kay rumi natin sa kasalanan, kay daming kapintasan. Madalas pa nga ay tumatanggi tayo o naghahamon gaya ni Zacarias.
Subalit isang bagay ang malinaw: hindi titigil ang Diyos hanggat hindi tayo napapatigil din upang makinig at sumunod sa kanya. Sa araw na ito, hiling sa ating ng Sacred Heart ay magkaroon ng solstice – huminto at tumigil pansamantala at itutok ating tuon at sarili sa alab ng apoy ng pag-ibig ni Jesus sa atin.
O Jesus na mayroong maamo at mapagkumbabang Puso, Gawin Mong ang puso nami'y matulad sa Puso Mo! Amen.
*And ideya ng SOLSTICE ay aking hinalaw mula sa pagninilay naman sa mga panahon ni Sr. Renee Yann, RSM sa kanyang blog na aking sinusundan; napakaganda ng kanyang mga lathalain at bakas ang kanyang kabanalan at karunungan. Tingnan sa link na ito: http://lavishmercy.wordpress.com
Lord My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II Monday in the Eleventh Week of Ordinary Time, Year I, 16 June 2025 2 Corinthians 6:1-10 ><))))*> + ><))))*> + ><))))*> Matthew 5:38-42
Photo by author, Sacred Heart Novitiate, Novaliches, QC, 20 March 2025.
Your words today, O Lord Jesus Christ are very astonishing - from the writings of St. Paul to your teachings that literally go against the ways of the world; of course, you and your message have always been against the ways of the world but, how do we strike a balance in the present conditions happening today?
Jesus said to his disciples: “You ahve heard that it was said, An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. But I say to you, offer no resistance to one who is evil. When someone strikes you on your right cheek, turn the other one to him as well” (Matthew 5:38-39).
You know very well, dear Jesus our situation: our country going into a great showdown with all the maneuverings of the evil forces in the Senate to cover up a crime, a serious case of corruption and abuse of authority while in the Middle East, Israel and Iran are in a very dangerous war that may spread in the whole region; O Jesus, we live in a world of "preemptive strikes" and "counterstrikes" and your words seem impossibly naive and optimistic? Is it really possible?
Brothers and sisters: As your fellow workers, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain. For he says: In an acceptable time I heard you, and on the day of salvation I helped you. Behold, now is a very acceptable time; now is the day of salvation (1 Corinthians 6:1-2).
Have mercy on me, dearest Christ Jesus in doubting the power of your words and of your teachings; have mercy on me, dearest Lord when I think in the ways of the world than in the ways of God; the balance I am seeking is found only in YOU: teach me to be generous like you, like St. Paul, always in communion with you through much endurance in afflictions, hardships, constraints and other sufferings (1 Cor. 6:4); let me be centered in you always Jesus, guided by the Holy Spirit in "unfeigned love, truthful speech, and power of God; with weapons of righteousness through glory and dishonor, insult and praise"; grant me the courage to be truthful even when treated as deceiver, to be acknowledged when unrecognized, alive and living when considered dead, always rejoicing amid sorrows, being poor to enrich many and simply having YOU, Jesus in having nothing (1Corinthians 6:4-10). Amen.
Photo by author, Sacred Heart Novitiate, Novaliches, QC, 20 March 2025.
Lord My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II Friday, Memorial of St. Anthony of Padua, Priest & Doctor of Church, 13 June 2025 2 Corinthians 4:7-15 <*((((>< + ><))))*> Matthew 5:27-32
Photo by author, 18 December 2018.
Your words today, O Lord Jesus through St. Paul are so refreshing, so reassuring of our worth and giftedness:
Brothers and sisters: We hold this treasure in earthen vessels, that the surpassing power may be of God and not from us. We are afflicted in every way, but not constrained; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying about in the Body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our body (2 Corinthians 4:7-10).
How lovely are those words, "we hold this treasure in earthen vessels"; today as we come to close the week, we are reminded to think of the "treasures" we hold dear most in our lives; many times we forget the many treasures within us or in our very lives God has given us or shown us that have kept us still standing all these years, weathering the many storms that have come to batter us that eventually made us more firm and strong, most of all, fruitful; let us be mindful toda of the many treasures you have given us, Jesus.
Let us learn from our weaknesses and failures, sins and mistakes for life is always filled with many struggles that serve not as obstacles but opportunities to become better not bitter; indeed, life is difficult as you have taught us today in the gospel, of the need to respect everyone at all times and be faithful; through the intercession of St. Anthony of Padua who is invoked for lost items, help us find our treasures in you, Jesus. Amen.
Lord My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II Thursday after Pentecost, Feast of Our Lord Jesus Christ, the Eternal High Priest, 12 June 2025 Isaiah 6:1-4, 8 <'{{{{>< + ><}}}}'> John 17:1-2, 9, 14-16
Photo by author, Cabo de Roca, Pundaquit, San Antonio, Zambales, 14 May 2025.
Lord Jesus Christ, our Eternal High Priest who called and sent us to continue your work of love and mercy into this world so broken by pride and selfishness, personal interests and evil schemes, continue to pray for us, to consecrate us to your truth so we may continue to make you known in this world that refuses to recognize you accept you and worship you.
So much decadence has been going with us these past six months especially in our Senate: we have put into office inept and corrupt lawmakers who shamelessly disregard the rule of law especially the welfare of the people, taking on themselves a wrong sense of authority based on power and personal whims instead of seeing it as a sharing in your rule meant to keep justice and peace among us; decadence has come upon us all when pride is something to be proud of, when persons and sexuality are redefined to suit each one's inclination disregarding God's original design so that love and life may flourish amid our differences; our family is disintegrating while our society is decaying 127 years since our Independence; what a mess we are into, Lord Jesus.
To whom shall we go, Lord Jesus? You have the words of life but many times the problems and darkness we are into even with our personal lives are so enormous; we have been so detached from you that is why we have been far from each other too; on this Feast of your Eternal Priesthood, remind us of our share in your Priesthood, of our being a priest, a bridge, a link with others in you and through you; let us imitate you Jesus in your gentleness and mercy, kindness and love; many times Lord we forget these qualities are already in us, our giftedness in becoming like you because you are our perfect mediator with the Father, our Eternal High Priest who became like us so that we can become like YOU.
When Jesus had said this, he raised his eyes to heaven and said this, “Father, the hour has come. Give glory to your son, so that your son may glorify you, just as you gave him authority over all people, so that he may give eternal life to all you gave him… I gave them your word, and the world hated them, because they do not belong to the world any more than I belong to the world. I do not ask that you take them out of the world but that you keep them from the evil one” (John 17:1-2, 14-15).
Lord Jesus,
your prayer offered for us
since that Holy Thursday evening
remains true and sincere,
and most fulfilled in our time
as you never cease to fail in giving us
everything we need;
on this Feast of your Eternal Priesthood,
we pray that we do our share,
our part in fulfilling that prayer
by becoming like you,
of being in the world
but not of the world;
like the Prophet Isaiah,
we each one pray too
"Here I am! Send me"
to be your witness,
to be your light,
to be your presence.
Amen.
Lord My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II Wednesday, Memorial of St. Barnabas, Apostle, 11 June 2025 Acts 11:21-26, 13:1-3 <*{{{{>< + ><}}}}*> Matthew 10:7-13
Rains have started to pour, a good news to many and a bad news too to many more caught in jams, floods, and the worst of situations in life, especially at night. We pray, dear Jesus you send us more "Barnabas" whom you sent to Antioch where your followers were first called Christians.
… and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he arrived and saw the grace of God, he rejoiced and encouraged them all to remain faithful to the Lord in firmness of heart, for he was a good man, filled with the Holy Spirit and faith… Then he went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he had found him he brought him to Antioch (Acts 11:22-24, 25-26).
On this memorial of your Apostle Barnabas whose name means "son of encouragement", teach us to be like him filled with the Holy Spirit and faith in God, searching for those in the worst situations in life like Saul at that time who was so ashamed to join the disciples because of his sinful past; like Barnabas, may we encourage others to hope and look forward to better days in Christ, to trust in your mercy and forgiveness, to take every moment a chance to be converted; in this world that had shrunk into a global village, how sad that more and more are getting discouraged than encouraged when we look more into the dark dismal side of life than to its brighter and even colorful and joyful realities found in you, Lord, the kingdom of God in our midst. Amen.
*Photos by Ms. Ria De Vera in Delia, Alberta, Canada, 03 June 2025.
Lord My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II Friday in the Seventh Week of Easter, 06 June 2025 Acts 25:13-21 <*((((>< + ><))))*> John 21:15-19
Photo by author, Cabo Da Roca, Pundaquit, San Antonio, Zambales, 15 May 2025.
I love you, Lord And I lift my voice To worship you Oh, my soul rejoice Take joy my King In what you hear May it be a sweet, sweet sound in your ear...
I just felt singing that lovely song, Jesus as I prayed on your words today; felt so good, so comforting, especially if sang at times like when everything is flowing smoothly in life, when obstacles are overcome, when there is more joy than sadness, more triumphs and success, more healthy than sickly; how easy it is to say "I love you, Lord" unless you Jesus asks us "do you love me" thrice.
It is different when you are the one asking the question, Jesus because you know everything, you know very well how imperfect our love while at the same time you know so well how we try hard in loving you by forgetting ourselves, following you and carrying our Cross.
Give us the courage and strength to say "I love you, Lord" dear Jesus for it is only in first loving you that we are able to follow you. Amen.
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