Lord My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul, 18 July 2025 Friday in the Fifteenth Week of Ordinary Time, Year I Exodus 11:10-12:14 <'[[[[>< + ><]]]]'> Matthew 12:1-8
Photo by author, Sacred Heart Novitiate, Novaliches, QC, 20 March 2025.
How lovely are your words today, O God, on this dark, rainy Friday with many light and shadows that show life's many contrasts with you still remaining with us, in us, and among us.
Although Moses and Aaron performed these various wonders in Pharaoh’s presence, the Lord made Pharaoh obstinate, and he would not let the children of Israel leave his land (Exodus 11:10).
You know everything, dear God that is why you set the stage for the first passover at "evening twilight" just in time for the people to see the light of freedom in you; you sometimes allow storms to happen but you already have provisions for us beforehand:
Jesus was going through a field of grain on the sabbath. His disciples were hungry and began ton pick the heads of grain and eat them (Matthew 12:1).
What a beautiful contrast is today's gospel!
How did it happen the Twelve were hungry while with Jesus who had fed more than 5000 people with just five loaves of bread and two pieces of fish?
Right there under the glaring light and heat of the sun on a Sabbath when you "fed" on the Twelve with grains in the field; moreover, when criticized by your enemies, you defended the Twelve!
You are a God of
mystery, Jesus!
Truly "greater than
the temple" for you are
the Christ,
the Son of God
who became human like us
to show us you are with us,
in us,
and among us
when everything seems
so dark or so bright
that may blind our sights;
incline our hearts to you, Jesus
who "desires mercy,
not sacrifices"
so that when we grapple
in light and shadows,
it is solely you whom we hold on.
Amen.
Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II
Our Lady of Fatima University
Valenzuela City
Photo by author, Sacred Heart Novitiate, Novaliches 20 March 2025.
Lord My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II Tuesday in the Tenth Week of Ordinary Time, Year I, 10 June 2025 2 Corinthians 1:18-22 <*[[[[>< + ><]]]]*> Matthew 5:13-16
What a great way to resume the Ordinary Time this Tuesday, Lord Jesus Christ as your words today invite us to examine some of the most "ordinary" things in life we take for granted.
Brothers and sisters: As God is faithful, our word to you is not “yes” and “no.” For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was proclaimed to you by us, Silvanus and Timothy and me, was not “yes” and “no,” but “yes” has been in him (2 Corinthians 1:18-19).
Many times in our answers of yes or no we cannot even make a clear stand in you, Jesus; like Paul, give us the strength and courage to mean "yes" in you, Jesus; let our "yes" to your gospel, to your love and justice, to your kindness and forgiveness be a resounding "Amen" in Christ, without any reservations, without ifs nor buts but a firm "yes, Lord!"
Teach to become the salt of the earth bringing out the flavor and goodness of every person like what salt does to our food; at the same time, let your light shine in us, Jesus, to bring out the light, the beautiful colors of every person around us with our witnessing to you, Jesus. Amen.
Lord My Chef Sunday Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II Sixth Sunday in Easter, Cycle C, 25 May 2025 Acts 15:1-2, 22-29 ><}}}}*> Revelation 21:10-14, 22-23 ><}}}}*> John 14:23-29
Photo by author, Chapel of the Angel of Peace, Our Lady of Fatima University, Valenzuela City, 28 March 2025.
Let us start again our Sunday reflection from the Book of Revelation where we heard last week John mentioning the word “new” four times when he saw “new heaven, new earth, new Jerusalem” coming with a voice of the Lord declaring “I make all things new” (Revelation 21:1, 2, 5).
In continuing his narration this Sunday of his visions while imprisoned in Patmos, John tells us how he not merely “saw” but also “experienced” heaven when he wrote:
The Angel took me in spirit to a great, high mountain and showed me the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God. It gleamed with the splendor of God. Its radiance was like that of a precious stone, like jasper, clear as crystal… I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God almighty and the Lamb (Revelation 21:10-11, 22).
I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God almighty and the Lamb.
Try imagining John’s experience of heaven, almost indescribable for its beauty and majesty as the very presence of God when he specified “there is no temple in the city for its temple is the Lord God almighty and the Lamb.”
John reminds us again this Sunday that though these new heaven, new earth, new Jerusalem are the things to come at the end of time, these are already happening right now in our midst. His description of heaven like jasper and other precious stones indicate not only the incomparable beauty of heaven but the very truth that our home is in God. Thus, an invitation too for us today to live in the light of God for he dwells among us in Christ.
This “divine indwelling” has always been a part of our Catholic doctrine.
Photo by author, Cabo da Roca, Pundaquit, San Antonio, Zambales, 14 May 2025.
Recall how in the Old Testament during the chosen people’s wandering in the desert when God dwelled among them in a tent or booth called sukkoth where the Ark of the Covenant was kept. God’s presence was marked by a pillar of smoke over the tent at daytime and a pillar of fire at night. From this came their Feast of the Booths being the dwelling of God; hence, at the Transfiguration of Jesus on Mount Tabor, Peter told the Lord how they would build booths for him, Moses and Elijah as he felt they were already in heaven!
Booth or tent or temple. Or church.
These indicate the presence of God now manifest in Jesus Christ, “the word who became flesh and dwelled among us.” That is why these past three Sundays of Easter we returned to his words spoken at the Last Supper to deepen our understanding and appreciation of Easter that teaches us about our relationship in God expressed with one another.
Two Sundays ago Jesus identified himself as the Good Shepherd who knows his sheep, us; then, last Sunday he gave us his “new commandment” of love that is rooted in God, a love that leads to our communion or oneness with God like Jesus and the Father. This Sunday, Jesus deepens that relationship we all have in him in the Father which perfectly matches the vision and experience of John found in the Book of Revelation.
Jesus said to his disciples: “Whoever loves me will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our dwelling with him” (John 14:23).
Photo by author, Cabo da Roca, Pundaquit, San Antonio, Zambales, 15 May 2025.
This “dwelling” of Jesus and the Father among those who love him and keep his word is the Church, his Body which we his disciples make up.
In instructing his disciples at the Last Supper that included us today to keep his word and commandment to love, Jesus taught how this love is manifested in the Church, his Body, the indwelling of God in Jesus Christ with us his people.
Recall when the curtain in the temple was torn apart from top to bottom at his death on Good Friday that signaled the end of temple worship when people will worship in truth and in spirit as Jesus had spoken to the Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well.
When Pope Leo XIV was elected two weeks ago, one of the news that have struck me was about the presence of non-Catholics at St. Peter’s Square celebrating on that day. According to the news, the non-Catholics joined the crowds because they never felt such kind of unity where people were one in praising God, celebrating his loving presence in gifting the world – not just Catholics – with a Pope as the Vicar of Christ.
What a beautiful reality we now have of God’s dwelling among us as the Church!
Photo by author, Sacred Heart Novitiate, Novaliches, QC, 20 March 2025.
From the Hebrew concept of qahal or congregation, Jesus linked love and his dwelling with his disciples in forming a community as his Body, the new Temple he had told he would raise in three days we now call the church which in Greek is called ekklesia that literally means to lead out “ek” the people, “kaleo”. Loving and dwelling of God among us is the reality of the Church as a community of believers called to lead others out of darkness into light, out of emptiness into fullness, out of death into life in Jesus Christ – exactly what the early Church did in our first reading today when they agreed not to impose burdens on gentile converts like circumcision and other Jewish traditions.
The Church herself is a Sacrament, a visible sign of Jesus Christ’s saving presence along with the other seven sacraments we have. The challenge is how these sacraments become dynamic ways of living for us, truly a Divine indwelling and not just signs we go through.
Every Sunday in the Mass, we renew our baptismal vows as children of God, expressing our love for each other as a community, visibly the dwelling of God, making the new heaven, the new earth and the new Jerusalem not just a vision but a reality happening now. Let us pray:
Lord Jesus Christ, dwell in us, dwell among us by making us follow your light not the artificial lights of the world; let us keep your word by loving more like you for where there is love, there is God dwelling in us because he is love himself. Amen.
Lawiswis ng Salita ni P. Nicanor F. Lalog II, Ika-22 ng Mayo 2025
"Sunrise, fried rice
Sunset, pancet!"
ang aking laging sambit
ngunit ang aking favorite
ay sunrise
maski wala nang
fried rice kasi maaga
akong gumising;
sa mga "madrugeño"
na katulad ko (early riser
sa wikang Kastila),
mayroong kakaibang alindog
itong pagbubukang liwayway
kung saan ang liwanag ay unti-unting
sumasagitsit na kahit hindi mo
tanaw ang araw
banaag ang buhay
saan ka man lumingon
mayroong sorpresa;
kakaiba ang dapit-hapon
na palaging inaabangan
sa makukulay na tila isang palabas,
sa pagsikat ng araw
papalaoob ang landas na
tinatahak
kayat hindi lamang
ito tinitingnan kungdi
dinarama sa kalooban.
Kaunti lamang marahil ang nagpapahalaga sa pagbubukang-liwayway bukod sa mahirap gumising ng maaga, walang masyadong nakikita ngunit narito ang ganda at hiwaga ng bawat umaga: kinikilala ito katulad ng isang bagong kakilala, kinakaibigan hanggang sa hindi mo na namamalayan iyo nang nakakapalagayan at maya-maya ay dadantay ang katotohanan kayo ay kailangan nang maghiwalay; kaya rin naman mas marami ang nabibighani at nahahalina sa dapit-hapon: malinaw na sa iyo ang katuturan ng maghapon na lumipas kaya iyo na lang inaabangan paglisan ng mabuting kaibigan bago balutin ng dilim ang kapaligiran sa pagtatakip-silim.
Sunrise, Sunset hangganan ng bawat araw sa ating dumarating bagama't magkaiba sa pandama lalo na sa ating paningin nagtuturo ng katotohanan na hindi lahat nakikita ng mga mata; gayon din, naroon palagi ang dilim sa piling natin upang higit nating mahalin at laging hanapin tunay na liwanag na hindi napaparam, si Jesu-Kristo na dumating sa pinaka-madilim na gabi ng buong taon at muling nabuhay habang madilim-dilim pa nang unang araw ng sanglinggo; sa pagbubukang-liwayway at sa dapit-hapon o takip-silim man, palaging naroon ang Panginoon tinitiyak sa atin sa bawat ngayon at dito tuloy lang ang buhay!
*Mga larawan kuha sa aking iPhone16 sa Cabo da Roca, Pundaquit, San Antonio, Zambales Mayo 14-15, 2025.
The Lord Is My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II Monday, Memorial of St. Scholastica, Virgin, 10 February 2025 Genesis 1:1-19 ><))))*> + ><))))*> + ><))))*> Mark 6:53-56
Photo by author, sunset in Atok, Benguet, 27 December 2024.
Blessed are you, God our loving Father in giving us a taste of the beginning everyday especially on this first day of work and of school as your words in the first reading remind of our daily beginning in you!
In the beginning, when God created the heavens and the earth, the earth was a formless wasteland, and darkness covered the abyss, while a mighty wind swept over the waters. Then God said, “Let there be…” Thus evening came, and morning followed… (Genesis 1:1-3, 7).
In the beginning there was nothing but chaos just like in our lives until you brought light, order and life, God; it is always light and order that come first to set the stage for life like in those first two days; what is most lovely, Father is when the third day came and there began balance and symmetry in your creation like sea and earth, day and night, sun and moon that relationships happened and everything started to be good.
Photo by author, sunset in Atok, Benguet, 27 December 2024.
In the gospel today as in our lives, every day is a new beginning with its many chaos: sickness and diseases, emptiness, self-alienation, rejection in all forms, failures and disappointments as well frustrations that all remind us of how everything was in the beginning; but, with Jesus Christ's coming and healing we saw the light and experienced healing and order.
Everything becomes good when seen in your light and design, Lord Jesus; when our relationships are kept and maintained especially at home like with our siblings, parents and family as exemplified by the twins St. Scholastica and St. Benedict.
Make everything new again and most of all good, dear Jesus in our lives like in the Genesis as shown by St. Scholastica who was able to do more because she loved most. Amen.
Painting “Altar of St. Scholastica” by Johann Baptist Wenzel Bergl (1765), ncregister.com
The Lord Is My Chef Sunday Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, 02 February 2025 Malachi 3:1-4 ><}}}}*> Hebrews 2:14-18 ><}}}}*> Luke 2:22-40
“Presentation at the Temple” painting by Italian Renaissance artist Andrea Mantegna done around 1455; Mary holding Baby Jesus while St. Joseph at the middle looks on the bearded Simeon. The man at the right is said to be a self-portrait of the artist while the woman at the back of Mary could be his wife. Photo from wikipedia.org.
We take a break from our regular Sunday cycle of readings today being the second of February, the Feast of the Presentation of Jesus at the Temple which is also 40 days after His birth. That is why it is technically the end of Christmas when Joseph and Mary left Bethlehem to bring Jesus to the Temple in Jerusalem.
The Presentation of Jesus at the Temple is one of the earliest major feasts celebrated by the Church in Jerusalem in the third century that reached Rome 300 years later with the designation as the Purification of Mary. Years later as it spread to France, it came to be known as Chandeleur, or Candlemas in English speaking countries and Candelaria in Spanish when the blessing of candles with a short procession was incorporated into its liturgy due to that part of Simeon’s Canticle calling Jesus as the “light of the world” (gentiles). Following the reforms of Vatican II in 1969, St. Paul VI brought it back to its original title as the “Feast of the Presentation of the Lord” due to its Christological emphasis while retaining the traditional rite of the blessing of candles and short procession into the church.
In the Eastern Churches, this Feast is called the Encounter or the meeting of Jesus with the two elderly Simeon and Anna who were both promised by God to witness the coming of His promised salvation before they died.
One thing remains clear in its long history of celebrating the Lord’s Presentation is the beautiful assurance and sign of Jesus Christ’s presence among us enlightening us, lighting our paths, meeting us most especially in our old age as our fulfillment in life.
Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, awaiting the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Christ of the Lord. He came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to perform the custom of the law in regard to him, he took him into his arms and blessed God, saying: “Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you prepared in sight of all the peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel” (Luke 2:25-32).
Presentation in the Temple painting by Fra Angelico from fineartamerica.com.
For our reflection, let us identify ourselves with Simeon as we dwell on his actions and words in that momentous Presentation of the Lord in the Temple.
From our long gospel account this Sunday, we get a picture of Simeon as an old man; however, not just chronologically speaking in age but also in his feeling isolated and weak deep inside, waiting for so long in faith and in hope for the coming of the Christ who would bring salvation and peace to a troubled world and a troubled self like us. Let us now reflect on Simeon’s action:
"he took him into his arms and blessed God" (Luke 2:28)
Photo from crossroadinitiative.com.
Look at the artistry of Luke as a storyteller and a physician who knew so well how people felt when approaching death whether due to an illness or old age like Simeon and Anna. See how Luke had assembled in one scene the two old people meeting the eternally young Son of God in the temple as if telling us not only to meet Jesus Christ but also to take Him into our arms to embrace and carry Him!
To embrace and carry the Infant Jesus like Simeon and Anna is a call for us to transform and level up our way of looking at old age as a reality we must accept and appreciate than hide or avoid with many illusory tactics that only make it more difficult and leave us more fearful.
Be proud of your grey or white hair like George Clooney and Meryl Streep. Don’t be ashamed of those wrinkles for they are our badges of the many wars and battles we have fought in life, regardless whether we have won or lost. One thing is clear though and that is we are still alive. Laugh it off when our memory fails, when we get slow in everything because life is not a race nor a competition but an art that is perfected as we age.
Taking to carry Baby Jesus like Simeon and Anna is embracing old age called “ageing gracefully” – a modern virtue that calls us to deepen our prayer life as we realize and accept the fact that it is now our “boarding time” for the final Encounter with the Lord in eternity.
In my previous parish assignment, there were three elderly men I have become friends with until their death. As they declined in their health, they came to me so often and later called for me to hear their Confessions whenever they would suddenly remember sins they have committed when they were younger. It must have been a unique grace from God to have that “Simeon moment” of carrying and embracing Jesus to be cleansed and purified before they have died. And I am convinced in my four years as a hospital chaplain that everyone is gifted with this “Simeon moment” to carry Jesus just before our final Encounter with Him in the afterlife. To carry Jesus is to cultivate a spiritual life centered in prayer like Simeon and Anna and those three friends I had.
Inversely, the young are blessed too with “Simeon moment” when like Mary and Joseph they share the Christ in them with those who are old and weak by accompanying them, understanding them, and bearing with them in their old age. It is only after we have “taken” the Child Jesus into our hands to hold and carry and embrace can we sing praise to God like Simeon:
"Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation" (Luke 2:29-30)
A painting of Simeon with the Child Jesus from the dailyprayerblog.blogspot.com
To age gracefully by carrying and embracing the Infant Jesus like Simeon is realizing deep within us that getting old and weak is also part of our celebration of life because that is when we enter Life Himself and when we also let Him enter us completely.
How did Simeon recognize it was the Savior that the two poor couple with a pair of turtledoves or pigeons were presenting in the temple that day?
Long before Joseph and Mary came to offer Jesus at the temple that day, Simeon had already entered into God’s presence in his long period of waiting through prayers and sacrifices. When Mary and Joseph came to the temple to present Jesus, God entered Simeon through the Holy Spirit to recognize the coming of the awaited Christ. Simeon’s prayerful singing of his praise to God while holding the Infant Jesus on that day was the fulfillment and expression of his long fidelity to God, of his being attuned to the Divine presence and promptings all his life.
In this age of instants, nobody waits anymore because many think that waiting is empty, a weakness and a poverty. A waste of time and energy.
The Fourth Joyful Mystery portrayed in the Presentation Chapel of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington DC.
But Simeon shows us the exact opposite in his Canticle. It is in our waiting for God amidst the darkness and nothingness when Jesus really comes like that day in the temple. God is most present and closest with us when all we can do is cry “Lord” or “Jesus” because His very name is already His presence. If we keep that in mind like Simeon, we will surely find and embrace Jesus wherever, whenever.
As we celebrate the Jubilee of Hope this 2025, let us be reminded of Simeon along with the Prophetess Anna who were both Pilgrims of Hope who never lost sight of Christ in the midst of their long waiting. The first and second readings this Sunday assure us that God is coming, God has come in Jesus amid our many darkness and nothingness, weakness and decline.
Like Simeon and Anna, let us await to approach Jesus always for He alone matters most in this life found within us, among our family and friends and the people around us, expressed in love and mercy, kindness and forgiveness, and joy. Just be patient and wait, Jesus will appear for you to take Him and embrace Him in your arms like Simeon. Tell that to Jesus now with your other deep longings and you will not be disappointed. Amen.
Photo by author, sunrise bursting through thick fogs over Taal Lake in Bgy. Dayap Itaas, Laurel, Batangas, 17 January 2025.
The Lord Is My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II Simbang Gabi-2 Homily, Tuesday, 17 December 2024 Genesis 49:2, 8-10 <*[[[[>< + ><]]]]'> Matthew 1:1-17
Photo by Atty. Polaris Grace R. Beron atop Mt. Sinai in Egypt, May 2019.
Some of you must have noticed – even sang – the title of our second Simbang Gabi homily is from the lyrics of the song Lost Stars of the 2013 movie “Begin Again” starring Keira Knightley, Mark Ruffalo, Adam Levine and James Corden.
Every time the Advent season would come since the pandemic in 2020, Lost Stars would always come to my mind as it has some semblance with Isaiah’s prophecy about the coming of the Messiah when peace would finally be achieved with predators and preys living in harmony. It is a passage so lovely that it is used twice or thrice during Advent until Christmas.
Then the wolf shall be a guest of the lamb, and leopard shall lie down with the kid; the calf and the young lion shall browse together, with a little child to guide them. The cow and the bear shall b e neighbors, together their young shall rest; the lion shall eat hay like ox. The baby shall play by the cobra’s den, and the child lay his hand on the adder’s lair (Isaiah 11:6-8).
See now its semblance with Lost Stars and if you know the song, sing it:
And God Tell us the reason youth is wasted on the young It's hunting season and this lamb is on the run We're searching for meaning But are we all lost stars Trying to light up the dark?
Who are we? Just a speck of dust within the galaxy Woe is me
If we're not careful turns into reality Don't you dare let our best memories bring you sorrow Yesterday I saw a lion kiss a deer Turn the page, maybe we'll find a brand new ending Where we're dancing in our tears
Begin Again and Lost Stars are unlikely movie and song for Christmas but you will be surprised that they are indeed so perfectly apt for this season which is about love and loss, friendships and ties, hopes and dreams of a better future.
Christmas is actually a story about mankind “beginning again” in Jesus, of us like the prodigal son who was a “lost star” but found again by Christ. These realities we find in both our readings today from Genesis and from Matthew’s account of the genealogy of Jesus.
The world had always been at a loss since the fall of Adam and Eve. Mankind was in darkness that is why God sent His Son Jesus so that we can “begin again” no longer as “lost stars trying to light up the dark” but this time sharing Christ who is the true light of the world as we have reflected yesterday.
Like in that movie Begin Again, the coming of Jesus did not simply happen. There were a lot of twists and turns in the lives of the different characters in the story who were totally unaware and uncertain of what would happen next but, as every good love story would end, and they lived happily ever after.
Photo by author, BED Chapel, Our Lady of Fatima University, Valenzuela City, 2022.
The same is true with the coming of Jesus and with us today: how amazing and interesting that our Savior came from a lineage of family just like ours – imperfect even crazy and weird people. But, the good news is, eventually at the coming of Jesus, everything was neatly tied up by God in His grace we tremendously enjoy now.
Both the first reading and the gospel traced to us the roots of Jesus to the very beginning of Israel and Judaism, from Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and his sons led by Judah from whom came their greatest King, David, an ancestor of the Christ.
Of Jacob’s twelve sons, we wonder why Judah was the one blessed when it was Joseph who saved them all from famine and gave them a new start in Egypt. In fact, Judah would have a son with his daughter-in-law Tamar who disguised herself a prostitute to lure him into sex so she can have a son after her husband, Jacob’s son died and left her childless. Their children were Perez and Zerah (Mt. 1:3).
Photo by author, San Fernando, Pampanga December 2022.
Meanwhile, if Tamar pretended to be a prostitute, the second woman in the Lord’s genealogy was actually a prostitute named Rahab who was the mamasan of the brothel in Jericho where the spies sent by Joshua hid before attacking the ancient city. Rahab welcomed the Israelite spies led by Salmon after securing a pledge from them to save her family after their attack. Jericho fell and so were Salmon and Rahab. They named their son Boaz who later married a pagan woman named Ruth that was a big no-no among jews at that time. They had a son named Obed who became the father of Jesse, the father of King David.
Known as the greatest king of Israel from whose lineage the Savior would come, David was not totally a good king. He sinned big time against God not once: first, he not only took the wife of his army officer but even had him killed in a scheme after Bathsheba got pregnant with Solomon. One of his sons in his previous wife overthrew him but was later beheaded by his loyalist soldiers that caused David deep sorrow to compose Psalm 51.
Photo by author, Fatima Avenue, Valenzuela City, December 2023.
Behind all those names in the Lord’s genealogy by Matthew are great materials for modern-day telenovela with its unique plots with exciting twists and turns.
However, we hear it proclaimed today as we shift our focus into the second aspect of Advent of preparing for the first coming of Christ more than 2000 years ago to remind us that Jesus did not just appear as an isolated human being. He came from God, no doubt about it, but, He is also intimately and crucially linked with the history of His own people. And because of that, so are we.
All four evangelists have as their primary objective in writing their gospel accounts the provence, or origin of Jesus Christ, the Promised One of God. That had to be clear before everything else because they have to established clearly the identity of Jesus Christ.
Matthew opened his gospel account with the genealogy of Jesus to remind us too today of our origin in faith in Christ who gives us a new beginning in God. May this second day of our Simbang Gabi be our new beginning, no longer a lost star but a true star in the eyes of God meant to light the dark in Christ. Amen.
Photo by author, Sacred Heart Novitiate, Novaliches, QC, 20 March 2024.
*You might be interested to listen to “Lost Stars”…better, watch “Begin Again” to warm your heart this Christmas.
The Lord Is My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II Simbang Gabi-1 Homily, Monday, 16 December 2024 Isaiah 56:1-3, 6-8 <*((((>< +. ><))))*> John 5:33-36
Photo by Mr. Boy Cabrido at Mt. Carmel Shrine, QC, December 2023.
Today – or last night – we begin our nine-day novena to Christmas more known as Simbang Gabi which actually began last night or Misa de Gallo which is the pre-dawn Mass most of the faithful observe.
How you call it does not really matter for as long as you complete the nine-day Masses before Christmas which is actually a novena to the Blessed Mother Mary known as Nuestra Señora dela Expectacion. And of course, the other important thing is the setting of the Simbang Gabi, that of darkness that calls us to muster enough courage and strength to be awake and vigilant, praying for the Lord’s coming.
Night time and darkness in the bible connote evil and other negativities that Jesus conquered in His coming to us. In fact, His birthdate was pegged at December 25 partly because it is the darkest night of the year, making Jesus truly the light of the world.
It is very interesting that during our Christmas celebrations, our brothers and sisters in the Jewish faith celebrate their Hanukkah (Chanukah) or eight-day festival of lights beginning December 25 to January 2, 2025. It commemorates the victory of the Maccabean brothers and followers against their Syrian-Greek occupiers led by King Antiochus IV who defiled the Jerusalem Temple during their brief take-over of Judah around the year 170 BC. After driving out the pagans, Judas Maccabeus and his followers cleaned the temple and found only a small amount of consecrated oil lamp left that was good only to last for a day. Miraculously, the lamp burned for eight consecutive days, giving them enough time to prepare according to their rituals new sets of holy oil for their temple lamp.
During their Hanukkah, every Jewish family celebrate at home by lighting eight candles in their menorah that means “to shine” in Hebrew to remember and thank God for those eight days of light in their temple as well as their deliverance from their enemies despite their being outnumbered.
Regardless of faith, there is one truth we all believe in, that God’s love and mercy abides in us not only for one day or eight days but all the days of our lives even through all eternity. That is actually the meaning of eight-days which we Catholics borrowed from the Jewish liturgy in having Christmas and Easter octaves to signify eternity. We have always stressed that we do not have weekend because the week does not end but simply goes on and on because after the seventh day of Saturday, we have Sunday again which is eighth day! (The Beatles were right after all when they sang, “eight days a week… I looooo-ve you.”)
Photo by author, San Fernando, Pampanga, December 2021.
Whether it is the menorah or the beautiful parol (lantern) that lights our homes during this season, they all remind us of God’s abiding love and presence in the midst of many darkness in our lives.
In the story of creation in the Book of Genesis, God created light first of all on the first day because light is so essential that it also means life itself. In light, we find things easier, we travel better. And we need light so much – literally and figuratively speaking – to move on in life.
As we go through our Simbang Gabi – whether at night or at dawn in preparation for Christmas, Jesus reminds us at the start of our novena to continue searching, following and sharing Him as the true light of the world.
During that time, Jesus said to the Jews, “He (John) was a burning and shining lamp, and for a while you were content to rejoice in his light. But I have testimony greater than John’s. The works that the Father gave me to accomplish, these works that I perform testify on my behalf that the Father has sent me” (John 5:35-36).
It is very sad, even tragic despite our many advancements achieved in science and technology that our world today is still in a lot of darkness due to wars going on especially in the Holy Land, of natural calamities displacing many people that claimed many lives almost everywhere this year, as well as poverty, hunger, and oppression in all forms that put so much sufferings especially to children, women and elderly.
Everyone of us is challenged, as God told Isaiah in the first reading to “observe what is right, do what is just” (Is.56:1) to alleviate and ease the hardships of so many of our brothers and sisters who have to face survival daily.
Let us be the light of Christ with our loving service and presence with others especially those facing financial challenges at this time, those grieving at the loss of a loved one, and others not having a merry Christmas this year. May we share the light of Christ too to those losing hope and faith in life and mankind because of being in too much or prolonged darkness in life. Amen. Have a blessed Simbang Gabi everyone!
Artwork by Kay Bratt in Facebook, 13 December 2023.
The Lord Is My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II Friday, Memorial of St. Lucy, Virgin & Martyr, 13 December 2024 Isaiah 48:17-19 <*[[[[>< + ><]]]]'> Matthew 11:16-19
Photo by Dra. Mai Dela Peña, MD, in London, 2000.
Forgive us, Jesus, in refusing to make a stand in you, for being blind in recognizing you among our brethren, for being deaf to your words and dictates within us to be true and just, for being afraid of sufferings and discomfort, for choosing to be always in control: let us learn from you, Lord, about what is good and where we must go (Isaiah 48:17).
Many of us have become indifferent in this age so divided by so many labels and ideologies, thinking it is making a stand to be in the middle, to be blind and deaf and mute than dare to witness what is true and just.
Jesus said to the crowds: “To what shall I compare this generation? It is like children who sit in marketplaces and call to one another, ‘We played the flute for you, but you did not dance, we sang a dirge but you did not mourn.'” (Matthew 11:16-17)
Grant us the courage of St. Lucia, who at a very young age stood for you, Jesus, for your gospel, for what is true and good and just; enlighten our minds and hearts to seek and follow you always, even to the Cross! Amen.
Painting of St. Lucy by Francesco del Cossa (c. 1436-1478), National Gallery of Art. According to tradition, the eyes of St. Lucia were gouged during the persecution of the early Church in Sicily, Italy around 300 AD.
The Lord Is My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II Wednesday in the Thirty-first Week of Ordinary Time, Year II, 06 November 2024 Philippians 2:12-18 ><]]]]'> + ><]]]]'> + ><]]]]'> Luke 14:25-33
Photo by author, Fatima Ave., Valenzuela City, 25 July 2024.
Grant me, dear Jesus the serenity and composure of St. Paul: so peaceful, so dignified, so free in the face of death.
Do everything without grumbling or questioning, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine like lights in the world, as you hold on to the word of life… But, even if I am poured out as a libation upon the sacrificial service of your faith, I rejoice and share my joy with all of you. In the same way you also should rejoice and share your joy with me (Philippians 2:14-16, 17-18).
Many times O Lord the burdens are too heavy and unbearable, with pains and suffering so overwhelming that I really wonder if I would make any difference at all; but, you are always here present in the "nick of time" sending people reminding me of jokes I have long forgotten but still tickle them; or simple lessons I could not recall but they have kept and guided them through life; or music I made them listened to that have lingered in their heads; or books and poems that have opened their horizons.
Teach me, Jesus to renounce everything I have, empty me of my pride, of my self to be filled with you only so that I may truly shine like light in this world so at home and fascinated with neons and klieg lights that mislead them to darkness. Amen.
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