On choosing well

The Lord Is My Chef Sunday Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II
Sunday in the Seventeenth Week of Ordinary Time, Cycle A, 30 July 2023
1 Kings 3:5, 7-12 >><}}}}*> Romans 8:28-30 >><}}}}*> Matthew 13:44-46

*Photo by author, San Juan, La Union, 24 July 2023.*

We are now in the final installment of Jesus Christ’s parables this third consecutive Sunday of his teachings on the kingdom of heaven. It is hoped by this time we have learned and realized God is the only treasure we must have in this life.

And the good news is that God our treasure is found in the most ordinary things!

Many times he simply comes to us even without us looking for him while often would also appear if we truly seek him like in the two short parables we heard this Sunday.

Jesus said to his disciples: “The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure buried in a field, which a person finds and hides again, and out of joy goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant searching for fine pearls. When he finds a pearl of great price, he goes and sells all that he has and buys it.”
Matthew 13:44-46

*Photo by author, San Juan, La Union, 25 July 2023.*

Our gospel may be the shortest these past three Sundays but it challenges us to be wiser in making choices to acquire the only worthy treasure of all – God.

Both the farmer and the merchant exemplify to us this wisdom in letting go of their other possessions just to have the buried treasure and pearl they have found.

Note how the farmer merely chanced upon the treasure buried in a field not his, while the merchant finally found the fine pearl after years of searching all his life. Here we are reminded how God is not that difficult to find by those truly seeking him. The problem lies with us when we refuse to be the good soil so that the seeds sown in us may grow and bear fruit even amid the weeds! Many times, we have stopped having that sense of awe, of being surprised by God who is like a treasure buried in a field somewhere waiting to be found. Worst, a lot often we have simply given up searching for God as if it is impossible to find him like a fine pearl. God is with us in Jesus Christ, our Emmanuel.

This is the good news of our short parables today. Moreover, God even comes to ask us what we want in life like King Solomon in the first reading. Later in the gospel we find Jesus Christ also asking the blind Bartimaeus what does he want while passing by the city of Jericho. Notice how those healed by Jesus always had clear thoughts and focus, so wise in their choices of what they wanted in life like King Solomon. Can we be wise enough like Solomon in choosing well, in asking the right thing from God?

The Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream at night. God said, “Ask something of me and I will give it to you.” Solomon answered: “O Lord, my God, you have made me, your servant, king to succeed my father David; but I am a mere youth, not knowing at all how to act. Give your servant, therefore, an understanding heart to judge your people and to distinguish right from wrong. For who is able to govern this vast people of yours?” the Lord was pleased that Solomon made this request.
1 Kings 3:5-7, 9-10

What is so beautiful, even wonderful here is not just the nearness of God with us but his kindness in asking us what we want. Imagine God saying, “Ask something of me and I will give it to you.”

What shall we ask God if he were to come to us in a dream tonight like Solomon? Perhaps we would be at a loss! Remember, God is asking for just one thing we want. At least the genie usually gives three wishes, with only the third one as most crucial being the last for which we are told to always ask for three more wishes!

Here we find again Simon Sinek’s book Start with Why most useful because our whys give us the reason and meaning for whatever we wish to accomplish. Exactly what Solomon must have considered as he laid out to God his situation, his needs, most of all his weakness, “I am a mere youth, not knowing at all how to act.” See why Solomon asked for that grace instead of wealth or fame or strong army?

It is that consciousness of being small and weak before God that pleases him most in granting our prayers. Earlier before this scene Jesus praised and thanked God in giving wisdom to the little ones who accepted him than the wise and the learned who rejected him (Mt.11:25). That is the attitude of being a “good soil” who allows the seed to penetrate and absorb us!

God was so pleased with Solomon because he knew so well his whys that to govern Israel so well amid his many weaknesses, he needed God more than ever. Unlike Adam and Eve who tried to usurp God in his power in knowing right from wrong, Solomon recognized it as divine prerogative we can only share with God. Actually, what he asked for was God himself who is the treasure hidden in the field and the fine pearl found by the merchant. Solomon did not want to be like God inasmuch as he never thought of being wealthy and powerful nor famous that are of no value at all compared to having wisdom, in having a discerning heart to know right from wrong.

*Photo by author, shore of the Lake of Galilee in Capernaum, Israel, May 2017.*

I have realized in my 25 years as a priest that what we treasure most are not the ones that give us pleasure but the ones who complete us. We ask and pray to God for something or someone not because of need but more of fulfillment found only in Jesus Christ who promised that whatever we ask from his Father would be granted to us in his name if it is for the mission he had entrusted to us. That is why in my prayers, I no longer ask God for anything except of being with him in eternity because I am so sure that whatever I need, he would give. Most of all, if I have God, then I am complete.

The parables of Jesus are inexhaustibly rich yet so accessible to everyone with open minds and open hearts to meet God in Christ through the simple realities of life. That is why St. Paul tells us in the second reading today that “all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose” (Rom. 8:28).

Let us pray for more zeal and enthusiasm in being the good soil, in choosing wisely the only treasure worthy in this life who is Jesus Christ, our Emmanuel or God-is-with-us. Let us welcome him in the many parables of life we take for granted that are all part of God’s plan of salvation for us leading to glory that is our destiny. Amen. Today is Sunday, go to Mass and pray for those severely affected by super typhoon Egay especially our brothers and sisters in northern Luzon.

May birthday pa ba sa langit?

Lawiswis ng Salita ni P. Nicanor F. Lalog II, Ika-26 ng Hulyo 2023

*Larawan kuha ng may-akda, takip-silim sa may Silang, Cavite noong Agosto 2020.*

Sa araw na ito, ika-26 ng Hulyo ay ating pinararangalan ang mga nakatatanda sa atin bilang paggunita kina San Joaquin at Sta. Ana, mga magulang ng Mahal na Birheng Maria, Lolo at Lola ng Panginoong Jesus.

Sa aming pamilya, espesyal ito noon pa man dahil kaarawan ng aking yumaong ama na si Wilfredo na isinilang noong Hulyo 26, 1932. Pumanaw siya noong ika-17 ng Hunyo 2000, kaarawan ng aming Ina. Kaya mula noon hanggang ngayon ay parang drama ang aming buhay na magkakapatid tuwing sasapit ang mga buwan ng Hunyo at Hulyo dahil naroon ang magkahalong tuwa at lungkot sa birthday ng aming mga magulang gayon din ang pagpapanaw ni Daddy.

Dahil dalawang taon pa lamang ako na pari nang pumanaw aking ama, hindi pa ako nakapagmisa patungkol sa kanyang kaarawan tuwing ika-26 ng Hulyo. Gayun din sa aking ina. Dahil sa napakasakit niyang karanasan, hindi ko pa rin siya naipagmimisa nang patungkol sa kanyang birthday na death anniversary nga ng kanyang kabiyak ng puso at aming ama. Dangan din kasi ay mahigpit ang bilin ni Mommy nang mamatay si Daddy, hindi na siya magbe-birthday celebration.

*Ang aking yumaong ama sa kanyang opisina, Bureau of Forestry, 1972.*

Nakakatawang isipin, puwede nga bang hindi magbirthday dito sa lupang ibabaw? Bagaman palaging death anniversary ni Daddy ang aming pagdiriwang tuwing June 17 na birthday ni Mommy, mayroon pa rin kaming pansit o spaghetti, cake at ice cream para sa kanya!

Darating at darating ating birthday na parang kuliling ng tindero ng ice cream ngunit kapag tayo ay namatay, wala na tayong birthday celebration. Ang kamatayan natin sa lupa ang birthday natin sa langit kaya iyon ang higit nating dapat alalahanin!

Kaya sana po ay huwag ninyo masamain itong aking sasabihin: tigilan na po natin itong kalokohan at kahibangan ng pagbati ng “Happy Birthday in Heaven” sa mga yumao nating mahal na buhay.

Inaamin ko na ako man ay ilang ulit napatangay sa kamaliang ito ng pagbati ng happy birthday in heaven sa Facebook. Nguni’t simula ngayon na sana ay ika-91 kaarawang ng aking ama kung nabubuhay pa siya, hinding hindi na ako babati kanino man ng happy birthday in heaven.

Wala na pong birthday sa langit o kabilang-buhay dahil iyon ay kawalang hanggan na po.

*Larawan kuha ng may-akda, Mt. St. Paul, La Trinidad, Benguet, Mayo 2017.*

Noong mamatay ang aking ama sa kaarawan ng aking ina, iyon ang paliwanag ko sa kanya: ganyan po kayo kamahal ng Daddy; birthday niya sa langit, birthday po ninyo dito sa lupa.

Kaya nga ang kapistahan palagi ng mga banal ay ang petsa ng kanilang kamatayan o nang paglilipat ng kanilang labi. Bukod tangi lamang sina Jesus, Birheng Maria at San Juan Bautista ang ipinagdiriwang natin ang mga kaarawan ng pagsilang sa lupang ibabaw.

Ang kamatayan natin ang ating petsa ng pagsilang sa buhay na walang hanggan. Move on na tayo…

Sa dalawamput-limang taon ko sa pagkapari, isang bagay napansin ko na madalas ang mga petsa ng kamatayan ay sadyang makahulugan kesa petsa ng kapanganakan. Palagi mga petsa ng kamatayan ng mga mahal natin sa buhay malapit o may kinalaman sa mahalalagang petsa sa buhay natin. Sabi nga ng iba, madalas namamatay ang tao malapit sa petsa ng birthday nila.

*Larawan kuha ng may-akda, Anvaya Cove sa Bataan, Mayo 2023.*

Sa dati kong parokya, nagrereunion ang isang angkan tuwing araw ng Pasko, Disyembre 25 dahil iyon ang kamatayan ng kanilang Lola. Nang suriin ko, ipinanganak ang Lola nila ika-24 ng Marso! Sabi ko sa kanilang angkan ay napakaganda ng petsa ng kamatayan ng Lola nila bagamat masakit kung iisipin dahil araw iyon ng kasiyahan dapat. Nguni’t wika ko sa kanila, isinilang sa lupa inyong Lola sa bisperas ng petsa ng pagkakatawang-tao ni Jesus o Annunciation (Marso 25) habang isinilang naman Lola nila sa langit nang pumanaw siya ng ika-25 ng Disyembre. Tuwang-tuwa sila sa paliwanag ko kaya tuwing Pasko, ako ay pinamamaskuhan ng magkakamag-anak!

Pagmasdan ninyo mga lapida sa sementeryo: palagi naroon ang petsa ng kapanganakan at kamatayan. At pagkatapos ay wala nang kasunod kasi nga wala nang hanggan!

Noong wala pang social media lalo na iyang Facebook na dahilan ng pagkabobo nating mga tao dahil nga puro tayo palabas, kapag dumarating petsa ng pagsilang ng yumao nating mahal sa buhay, ang palaging sinasabi ay “nobenta’y uno na sana siya kung buhay pa ngayon” (he would have been 91 years old today had he not died).

Tingnang ninyo. Mas tumpak ang kaisipan at pananalita ng matatanda kesa sa atin ngayon. Kung araw ng kapanganakan ng yumaong mahal sa buhay, magpost na lang ng simpleng “naaalala ka pa rin namin” o “buhay kang palagi sa aking alaala” o “ikaw pa rin ang aking tanging mahal” na siyang tunay at totoo kesa “happy birthday sa langit” na isang kasinungalingan.

Inuulit ko, wala na pong birthday sa langit.

Huwag na kayong babati ng happy birthday in heaven. Ang birthday ay sa lupa lamang. Mag-level up na tayo ng pananaw, kaisipan at kamalayan katulad ng mga pumanaw na nasa kabilang buhay na. “Ang mga bagay na panlangit ang isaisip ninyo, hindi ang mga bagay na panglupa sapagkat namatay na kayo at ang inyong tunay na buhay ay natatago sa Diyos, kasama ni Kristo” (Col. 3:1-2).

Maraming salamat po at maligayang kapistahan sa mga Lolo at Lola muli!

*Larawan kuha ng may-akda, takip-silim sa Bagbaguin, Sta. Maria, Bulacan, Hunyo 2020.*

God among us

The Lord Is My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II
Friday in the Fifteenth Week of Ordinary Time, Year I, 21 July 2023
Exodus 11:10-12:14 <*(((><<< + >>><)))*> Matthew 12:1-8

*Photo by Fr. Pop Dela Cruz in San Miguel, Bulacan, 2022.*

Your words today, dear God
remind us of your presence,
of your journeying with us,
of your passing over:
"But the blood will mark 
the houses where you are.
Seeing the blood, 
I will pass over you;
thus, when I strike 
the land of Egypt,
no destructive blow will 
come upon you"
(Exodus 12:13-14).

This came into fulfillment
in Jesus Christ's coming
in our midst:
"Jesus was going through 
a field of grain on the sabbath"
(Matthew 12:1) when the Pharisees
noticed the day than the persons
at the scene that they sorely
missed the whole point of
the Lord's presence among them,
"I say to you, something greater
than the temple is here"
(Matthew 12:6).

Keep us aware of you
always, O God;
let us find your face
on the face of everyone we meet,
let us recognize you in the person
next to us especially those 
searching for you,
in need of comfort,
and those lost
because no one sees them,
no one recognizes them
nobody loves them.
Amen.

Our problem with freedom

The Lord Is My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II
Thursday in the Fifteenth Week of Ordinary Time, Year I, 20 July 2023
Exodus 3:13-20 >><)))*> + >><)))*> + >><)))*> Matthew 11:28-30

*Photo by author, Mt. St. Paul Spirituality Center, La Trinidad, Benguet, 2017.*

Let me come to you,
God our loving Father;
let me come to you
in Jesus Christ
to take his yoke and learn from him,
so I may be meek and humble of heart
(Matthew 11:28-30).

Let me come to you,
God our loving Father 
like Moses, openly and humbly
wondering at your majesty
in the burning bush, in the many events
happening in my life I take for granted
and missed you.

How funny, O God,
you always desire we become free,
we become lighter from our burdens
as you called Moses to liberate your people
and sent Jesus to save us;
and yet, we always suspect you
of keeping us prisoners,
of not wanting us to be free,
of hindering us from pursuing
and doing whatever we wanted.

Let us learn and realize,
O God how you value freedom
so much that you gave it to us
as your most wondrous gift
that we have unfortunately abused;
let us learn and realize
how your Son Jesus Christ
had to suffer and die on the Cross
so that we may experience true freedom;
let us learn and realize, Lord, 
that freedom is being free and faithful
to you always through our loved ones
and mission in life.
Amen.

God, our only credential

The Lord Is My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II
Tuesday in the Fifteenth Week of Ordinary Time, Year I, 18 July 2023
Exodus 2:1-15 ><]]]]'> + ><]]]]'> + ><]]]]'> Matthew 11:20-24

It is still too early,
God our loving Father,
but your words today smell 
so Christmassy,
reminding us of Jesus Christ's 
coming in the story of Moses
being drawn from water
by the Pharaoh's daughter:

On opening it, she looked, and lo, there was a baby boy, crying! She was moved with pity for him and said, “It is one of the Hebrews’ children.”
Exodus 2:6

Yes, dear God,
your Son came as an infant,
a baby, the most wondrous sight
to behold in this life who can
soften the most hardened heart
because every child reminds us
of you, O Lord, our life;
every child calls us to be
loving and kind because
every baby reminds us of our
credential as your image and likeness,
dear God.

Forgive us, Father,
when we close our eyes and our hearts
and dare ask others of their
credentials, like Moses who was asked
"Who has appointed you ruler
and judge over us?" (Ex.2:14);
or, Jesus who lamented at how
his own folks refused to recognize him
as the Christ despite his wondrous 
words and works,
"Woe to you, Chorazin! 
Woe to you, Bethsaida!
For if the mighty deeds done 
in your midst had been done
in Tyre and Sidon 
they would long ago have repented
in sackcloth and ashes"
(Mt.11:21).

But most of all, 
loving Father,
enable us to live up 
to our credentials as your
beloved children,
forgiven and blessed
to make you known and
present in this world that has
turned away from you,
from some people who think
more of themselves in having
earned their credentials
and hence, be so entitled in the world.

Help us to keep our lines,
our boundaries intact,
of what is sacred and holy,
of what is essential
and true that you are 
our Father.
Amen.

*Photo by author, Nile River in Egypt, May 2019.*

When setbacks hit us

The Lord Is My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II
Friday in the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time, Year I, 14 July 2023
Genesis 46:1-7. 28-30 ><))))*> + <*((((>< Matthew 10:16-23

*Photo by author, Camp John Hay, 12 July 2023.*

Today we pray, 
O God our loving Father
for all those experiencing
setbacks in life and in their plans,
whether temporary or permanent
like students who cannot pursue their
desired courses or could not continue 
with their studies this coming academic year;
sweethearts who have to postpone 
or cancel their weddings due to breakups;
those who have to alter their plans or goals in life
due to sickness and disabilities;
people who have to migrate to other
places of residence due to work
and other reasons.

Then he said (to Jacob or Israel): “I am God, the God of your father. Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for there, I will make you a great nation. Not only will I go down to Egypt with you; I will also bring you back here, after Joseph has closed your eyes.”
Genesis 46:3-4

Cast away our fears,
O Lord to forge on when
setbacks and delays even detours
in our lives happen for whatever reason;
assure us always with your same
presence and protection,
most of all of your assured
deliverance so that someday,
we may still realize our dreams
and aspirations in life
according to your plans.

In Jesus Christ's name,
teach us to be "shrewd as the snakes
and simple as doves",
"enduring to the end" (Mt.10:16, 22)
with all the sufferings and trials
that come our way as you, O God,
writes our life story straight
in crooked lines.
Amen.

The grace of being surprised

The Lord Is My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II
Monday in the Fourteenth Week of Ordinary Time, Year I, 10 July 2023
Genesis 28:10-22 ><000'> + ><000'> + ><000'> Matthew 9:18-26

*Photo by author, Ubihan Island, Meycauayan, Bulacan, 31 December 2021.*

Surprise us, dear God,
surprise us with your loving presence
in the simplest things today
like Jacob in Bethel:

When Jacob awoke from his sleep, he exclaimed, “Truly, the Lord is in this spot, although I did not know it!” In solemn wonder he cried out: “How awesome is this shrine! This is nothing else but an abode of God, and that is the gateway to heaven!”
Genesis 28:16-17

In a world saturated in media
where everything and everyone is
exposed and shown, 
bared and revealed,
we have lost the sense of awe and wonder,
of being surprised because
we believe we have seen all;
we are no longer surprised with
little wonders and miracles that
happen daily in life like
the infectious smiles and laughter 
children, the thoughtfulness of a friend,
the warmth of a stranger,
or the flowers that color our paths.

We have lost our sense of awe
and wonder, of being surprised
because we no longer believe
in you, O God, nor in people, nor in nature.
Grant us, dear Father, the grace of
wonder and awe like the official and
the woman hemorrhaging in the gospel;
yes they have faith so great but also
have the sense of being surprised
that is why they came to Jesus;
what a surprise indeed, the official's
daughter was brought back to life
and the woman hemorrhaging was 
instantly healed when she touched 
the tassel of the Lord's cloak!

Forgive us, O God,
for not noticing your many
surprises to us daily;
open our eyes,
open our very selves
to life's many wonders
that point to you!
Amen.

Imitating Jesus, meek and humble

The Lord Is My Chef Sunday Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II
Sunday in the Fourteenth Week of Ordinary Time, Cycle A, 09 July 2023
Zechariah 9:9-10 ><}}}*> Romans 8:9, 11-13 ><}}}*> Matthew 11:25-30

Today we hear the final installment of Jesus Christ’s instructions to the Twelve as he sent them to their first mission which started two Sundays ago. Discipleship is essentially becoming like Jesus Christ, our Lord and Master who is meek and humble of heart.

“Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.”
Matthew 11:28-30

For the third straight Sunday, Jesus has been teaching the Twelve including us today some important lessons in discipleship: first is to fear no one except God, then to be never influenced by others except God, and now, to learn from him who is “meek and humble” of heart.

*Photo by author at the sacristy of the Manila Cathedral, 07 July 2023.*

In the whole Bible, we find that “meekness” is the most remarkable quality of any one sent by God to his people, especially with Moses and King David.

Despite some instances of them getting angry and even being harsh sometimes, both were described as being meek especially Moses described as “the meekest man on the face of the earth” (Num.12:3).

When Jesus came and brought salvation to mankind by obediently dying on the Cross, he became the embodiment of meekness.

To be meek means being gentle and obedient, exactly who Jesus Christ is. All throughout his life, Jesus had repeatedly expressed everything he said and did were in total obedience to the Father who sent him to save us. That is why that we too find Christ’s words and actions as the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies of God coming to save his people, of sending someone so different from the other kings and servants before him. This is very evident in the gospel of Matthew who emphasized on the meekness of Jesus Christ that in narrating to us his version of the Palm Sunday entry of Jesus to Jerusalem, he actually cited (Mt. 21:4-5) our first reading today from Zechariah:

Thus says the Lord: Rejoice heartily, O daughter Zion, shout for joy, O daughter Jerusalem! See, your king shall come to you; a just savior is he, meek, and riding on an ass, on a colt, the foal of an ass.
Zechariah 9:9

Unlike the kings and other powerful men of the world who rode on prancing horses symbolic of their power and strength, here is Jesus Christ riding a placid donkey, symbolic of his meekness and humility, most especially of his message of peace.

Meekness in Tagalog is maamo, from the root word amo referring to “master”, connoting one’s recognition of master by being submissive in the positive sense. Maamo also means being tame as opposite with being wild. Hence, the English word of being gentle, or gentility.

The good news of Jesus being “meek and humble” is that we need not be afraid of becoming his disciples, of becoming truly Christians in this age relativism when anything goes, no more absolutes like God and morality. Now more than ever, St. Paul’s admonitions in the second reading are so real when we are challenged to live in solidarity with Christ empowered by the Holy Spirit, or to live in solidarity with the old humanity enslaved to sin.

Yes, the Gospel of Jesus is demanding. And so is true love which is most demanding.

*Photo by author, La Mesa Forest Reserve seen from Our Lady of Fatima University-Quezon City with the Sierra Madre as background, January 2023.*

There will always be pains and hurts but these occasions make our discipleship, our love for Christ and for others most meaningful and fulfilling. The Lord’s “yoke is easy and his burden is light” because it is naturally human and divine like him made possible with his paschal mystery. Being loving and kind, forgiving and merciful, caring and helpful are never painful nor tiring because they liberate us, setting us free from the imprisonment and shackles of sin due to our pride and self-centeredness, leading us to true freedom and fulfillment.

Why is it now life has become so complicated? It is not because of Jesus nor of his Church who simply echoes his teachings as he had commanded. Life has become complicated ever since we have allowed and accepted all these modern thoughts of freedom that actually “unfreed” us like these trends from the “sex revolution” that have spawned all the evils plaguing us, from divorce to contraceptions and abortions that not only destroy human life but most especially the family, society’s basic unit. There are some insisting on altering the most basic and natural of God’s creation like gender as either male or female, nothing in between; and, marriage solely between man and woman.

See how life has been reduced to lifestyle characterized by commercialization of everything including persons with sex casually portrayed as an act or activity and a mere part of the body. Everything has become relative, to each his own. That is why life has become so tiring, even empty despite all the comforts and modern amenities we now enjoy.

We have been removing God from everything, from all his creation. That is why Jesus comes to us today, calling us all to come to him, all who are burdened to find rest in him.

Find Christ in yourself, you find Christ in others. When we find Christ, we find God, we find truth, we find life, we find rest.

Our gospel this Sunday comes as a fitting closing to the Lord’s lessons on discipleship. It is never easy in becoming a Christian, of standing for what is right and true, just and fair, in being kind and forgiving, in lovingly serving others without expecting anything in return.

Let’s not make it more difficult on our part. Examine the demands of Christ are actually simple, love him by obeying him. What are the demands of those trying to lord over us these days like those so-called wokes and liberals who are so harsh in insisting their views that are self-serving and unnatural.

Remember, our series of these instructions came when “At the sight of the crowds, Jesus’ heart was moved with pity for them because they were troubled and abandoned, like sheep without a shepherd” (Mt.9:36, June 18, 11th Sunday). Jesus added that we pray for more laborers to work in the bountiful harvest, for more persons who are loving and warm, not demanding nor insistent on themselves and their beliefs. Have a restful week ahead! Amen.

God moves in mysterious ways

The Lord Is My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II
Friday in the Thirteenth Week of Ordinary Time, 07 July 2023
Genesis 23:1-4, 19; 24:1-8, 62-67 ><]]]'> + <'[[[>< Matthew 9:9-13

*Photo by Dra. Mylene A. Santos, MD, in France, 2022.*

O God our Father,
your words today are so
beautiful and amazing,
proving to us how you move
in so mysterious ways!

Open our eyes and
our hearts to your movements,
Lord, like Abraham and his steward:
make us trust in your ways and
instructions, to be patient and
persevering in your actions
even if it could take time
and would even involve
long distances to cover.

“Never take my son back there for any reason,” Abraham told him. “The Lord, the God of heaven, who took me from my father’s house and the land of my kin, and who confirmed by oath the promise he made to me… he will send his messenger before you, and you will obtain a wife for my son there.”
Genesis 24:6-7

Grant us the wisdom and prudence,
O God, to balance and find your
holy will and presence especially
in this age of relativism at one end
and fundamentalism at the other extreme;
let us heed your Son Jesus Christ's 
instruction, "Go and learn
the meaning of the words,
I desire mercy, not sacrifice.
I did not come to call the righteous
but sinners" (Mt. 9:13).

In everything,
may we bring your soothing
balm of solace and comfort
among those suffering and lost
for meaning in life like Matthew,
especially those grieving
like Isaac over the death
his mother Sarah.
Amen.

Giving up the best and most precious

The Lord Is My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II
Thursday in the Thirteenth Week in OrdinaryTime, 06 July 2023
Genesis 22:1-19 ><]]]]'> + ><]]]]'> + ><]]]]'> Matthew 9:1-8

*Photo by author, Sacred Heart Novitiate, Novaliches, Quezon City, 20 March 2023.*

God our loving Father,
teach me to offer to you,
to give up like Abraham
the most precious
and the best I have in life;
give me that same kind of
faith and trust in you, O God,
that in life, you are the only
most precious and best 
I have in life.

So many times in life,
dear Father, I always question
your will,
your plans,
your instructions
to me;
worst, many times,
I even question and doubt
your goodness to me
and to others like those scribes
who questioned Jesus Christ's
authority to forgive sins.

We have strayed so far from you,
O God; we have believed 
so much in ourselves, 
in our beliefs,
 in our technologies,
 in our strengths
and achievements
as if we are gods like you!

Forgive us, merciful Father;
help us find our way back to you
in your Son Jesus Christ.
Amen.