Lent is listening, trusting God

40 Shades of Lent by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II
First Sunday in Lent-A, 22 February 2026
Genesis 2:7-9, 3:1-7   +   Romans 5:12-19   +   Matthew 4:1-11

We now live in a world so noisy with many voices competing for our attention. Everybody is talking including cars and elevators, phones and gadgets and apps with names Siri and Alexa. So often, it is from these competing voices come our temptations in life, too.

In his first Lenten Message, Pope Leo XIV invites us to listen more to the word of God in order to be converted anew to Him. He said it so well that “The willingness to listen is the first way we demonstrate our desire to enter into a relationship with someone.”

Very true! And the question this first Sunday in Lent asks us is, whose voice do I follow? Because the voice we listen most is likely the one we prefer or love most – in fact, it could be the voice of the one we keep a relationship with!

That is the tragic truth of the story of the fall of Adam and Eve in the first reading today – they listened more to the voice of the devil signified by the serpent than to God who warned them not to eat the forbidden fruit.

And that continues to happen every day in our lives! That is why to sin is not merely to turn away from God but actually a refusal to love because sin is rejecting a relationship with God to whom we must listen to. This we see today in Matthew’s version of the temptations of Christ in the desert.

At that time Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. He fasted for forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was hungry. The tempter approached and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command that these stones become loaves of bread.” He said in reply, “It is written: One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes forth from the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:1-4).

*Detail of “The Temptation of Jesus According to St. Matthew” on the wall of St. Mark’s Cathedral in Venice, Italy. Photo from psephizo.com.*

Right at the start, Jesus made it clear by quoting the Sacred Scriptures, the word of God, that “One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that come forth from the mouth of God.”

Jesus, the Word who became flesh to live among us tells us clearly today that same truth. God’s word is life when He created everything by just speaking. Any voice that leads to destruction is from the devil, the father of fake news. And the devil’s biggest lie we must always avoid is making and having things easily. See how until now every fake news is always about “instants” like instant food and health, instant solution to everything without realizing its sinful effects as well as side effects that may actually harm us more.

Listening is an art because it teaches us to be patient, to wait and most of all, to persevere which leads us to perfection and excellence. Haste always makes waste. When we listen, we become patient, choosing to wait than take shortcuts or get instants that avoid difficulties and hardships like gambling to be wealthy without working, or cheating to pass exams without learning as well as freedom without responsibilities.

Then the devil took him to the holy city, and made him stand on then parapet of the temple, and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down. For it is written: ‘He will command is angels concerning you’ and ‘with their hands they will support you, lest you dash your foot against a stone.'” Jesus answered him, “Again, it is written, You shall not put the Lord your God to the test” (Matthew 4:5-7).

*Photo by author, Domiican Hills, Baguio City, January 2019.*

More than an art, listening is a virtue because it demands silence which is a fullness wherein we are able to listen and distinguish every voice and sound so that we may choose which to listen to and follow.

The word “listen” is the palindrome of “silent” – we listen best in silence to hear God, others and our very selves.

When we learn to be silent, we also become more trusting because when we trust, we speak less and listen more. The most silent people are the also the most trusting. When we trust, we wait and avoid shortcuts and instants.

The voice of God stirs our inner self, not just our senses because His voice leads us to deeper realities and meanings in life. Remember that Jesus eventually fed more than five thousand people from just five loaves of bread and two pieces of fish when He saw them already prepared inside their hearts and soul; when Jesus felt them more open to God than to the world, then He gave them bread and fish for their stomach.

Notice how the devil’s temptation to Jesus continues among us with those voices calling us to overly assert ourselves, to be influencers and clout chasers or content creators to be praised and followed by everyone when actually is all about wealth and money, and of course, power. It is the voice of control and manipulation. How sad that many of us gobble their lies completely, consuming everything, filling ourselves even with trash.

The voice of God calls us to sacrifice, to bear pains and sufferings not to be overburdened in life but for us to see God especially among those mostly in need like the poor and marginalized. Often, the voice of God is the softest and tiniest in our hearts calling us to simply trust Him by doing the simplest things like smiling to strangers, easing the pain of those lonely and sad, giving bread to the poor and hungry. Listening to the silence of God enables us to trust Him more that we learn to share and forget ourselves. Then, we grow and mature truly as persons.

Then the devil took him up to a very high mountain, and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in their magnificence, and he said to him, “All these I shall give you, if you will prostrate yourself and worship me.” At this, Jesus said to him, “Get away, Satan! It is written: The Lord, your God, shall you worship and him alone shall you serve.” Then the devil left him and, behold, angels came and ministered to him (Matthew 4:8-11).

Again, we go back to Pope Leo XIV’s Lenten Message about listening as “the first way we demonstrate our desire to enter into a relationship with someone.”

Don’t you feel sad at the sight of today’s everyday life where everyone has something in their ears, whether the tiny earpods or the headset/headphone?

What used to be insane like talking by one’s self has now become a status symbol as everyone looks crazy speaking by themselves through modern devices amid a crowd while walking or seated anywhere conversing to somebody at the other end of their lines unmindful, oblivious of the persons around them. May sariling mundo.

Many these days have created their own worlds and universe with them at its center through our new Baal, the cellphone – the very first thing everyone is looking for after waking up and the last thing in everyone’s hand before sleeping. How sad many among us today practically live in social media. What is most tragic is that all these modern means of communications were invented to bring us closer together when in fact, the more we have grown apart from each others! We are not only polarized as people but even separated from God.

The third temptation of the devil to Jesus continues with us today with all those voices telling us to forget God and morality and truth so that we become popular by being viral and trending. It is the biggest scam and fake news of all by the devil – of us being the “master” to rule and have world with all of its luxuries and power. The voice seems harmless, as if asserting our true selves but actually destroys our being and relationships with God, with others and eventually with our very selves.

Lent is an inside journey into our hearts, of finding Jesus anew inside our hearts where He dwells. St. Paul tells us in the second reading how Jesus brought us back to God, to grace and salvation.

Lord Jesus Christ, help us not to harden our hearts today so that we may listen anew to Your voice within us to find our way back to God, to peace and to fulfillment in ourselves and in one another. Amen. Have a blessed week ahead!

*Photo by author, Carmel of the Holy Family Monastery, Guiguinto, Bulacan, 22 January 2026.*

Praying with the Pope on Ash Wednesday

40 Shades of Lent by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II
Ash Wednesday, 18 February 2026
Joel 2:12-18 +++ 2 Corinthians 5:20-6:2 +++ Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18

Thank you,
merciful Father 
for personally calling us
to return to you this Lent
as we mark its start with
Ash Wednesday;
thank you, Father
in sending us your Son
Jesus Christ our Lord
to lead us back to you,
reminding us of your
abiding presence despite
our turning away from you;
thank you for his Vicar,
Pope Leo XIV in guiding us
in this Lenten journey into
our inner selves,
into our hearts
to find you,
to rest in you,
and to remain in you.

“Even now, says the Lord, return to me with your whole heart,
with fasting, and weeping, and mourning; rend your hearts, not your garments, and return to the Lord, your God” (Joel 2:12-13).

Rend my heart,
dear Jesus,
that I may start listening
anew to your words,
in listening to your silence
to lead me into conversion;
rend my heart,
O Lord,
that I may always listen
to you in my brothers
and sisters' pleas for help
amid their many pains
and suffering because
I have been numb to them,
unmindful of their presence;
rend my heart,
Jesus so you may be my core
not easily swayed by
that little gadget the cellphone
that had become the modern baal
of our time
we unconsciously follow
and obey
instead of you,
Lord.

Rend my heart,
dear Jesus,
that I may truly fast
by emptying myself
of my pride and sins
so that you may fill me
with your humility,
justice,
and love;
rend my heart,
O Lord,
that I may "hunger" more
for your values
and "thirst" for your
 love and mercy
by "disarming our language,
avoiding harsh words
and rash judgment,
refraining from slander";
render my heart,
Jesus,
 so I may fast my tongue,
"striving to measure our words,
cultivate kindness
and respect
 so that words of hatred
may give way
 to words of hope and peace."

Rend my heart,
dearest Jesus,
so that my listening
and fasting may lead into
the common good,
into a communion
of your disciples
attentive to God and
to the least among us;
rend my heart,
Lord Jesus Christ
not only to cleanse my conscience
but also to enhance
the quality of my relationships
and dialogue with each other
 in the power
of the Holy Spirit.

Rend my heart,
Lord Jesus Christ
to help me find my way back
to the Father
in you,
through you,
and with you.
Amen.

*Prayer based
on Pope Leo XIV's
first Lenten Message,
https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/bollettino/pubblico/2026/02/13

Lent is a journey within

40 Shades of Lent by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II
Ash Wednesday, 18 February 2026
Joel 2:12-18 +++ 2 Corinthians 5:20-6:2 +++ Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18

Lent is often portrayed as a journey of 40 days towards Easter starting today, Ash Wednesday. But deeper than a journey in time, it is a journey into the Father that starts in our hearts, deep within each one of us.

It is the season when we are invited to take time to look inside our hearts to see our true selves as sinful in order to meet God dwelling right inside us. The Prophet Joel in the first reading sets this tone of inner journey of conversion perfectly when he voiced out God’s call, speaking to us personally especially in this modern age:

“Even now, says the Lord, return to me with your whole heart, with fasting, and weeping, and mourning; rend your hearts, not your garments, and return to the Lord, your God” (Joel 2:12-13).

*Photo by author, Buendia Ave., Makati City, 09 February 2026.*

Very often, we are concerned about our external appearance, of how we look to other people but God sees what is in our hearts, of what is really inside us. And the path inside us is to cleanse ourselves thoroughly of the dirt and smudges of sin; hence, the imposition of ashes on our forehead.

Ash has long been a cleansing agent. Long before these modern kitchen stoves and gadgets of today, we used firewood for cooking that blackened the bottom of cooking wares. There were no Scotch Brite nor dishwasher at that time so we would mix ashes and cleanser soap then with steel wool and eskoba, we scrubbed them on the dirty kaldero and kawali until they were sparklingly beautiful again.

It is the very imagery of that cleaning of darkened pots with ash and soap the priest conveys to us when he says “Repent and believe in the gospel” while putting those ashes on our foreheads.

To repent is more than being sorry and admitting our sins but also a firm resolve to change our sinful ways, to be converted by following Jesus Christ in his Cross, by being more loving like him. In his first Lenten Message, Pope Leo XIV reminds us that “Every path to conversion begins by allowing the word of God to touch our hearts and welcoming it with a docile spirit.” He proposes three specific ways in doing this: listening, fasting and together.

Listening. The Holy Father reminds us so beautifully that “The willingness to listen is the first way we demonstrate our desire to enter into a relationship with someone.”

So true! But, so sad, too is the fact whom do we listen more these days? We live in a mass-mediated culture with so many young people practically living in the social media, taking and believing everything they read and see on their screen as the “gospel” truth that have only misled so many of us into various forms of miseries like emptiness, alienation from self and others, and even deaths.

Pope Leo explains that “Our God is one who seeks to involve us. Even today he shares with us who is in his heart. Because of this, listening to the word in the liturgy teaches us to listen to the truth of reality… In order to foster this inner openness to listening, we must allow God to listen as he does.” This is precisely the call of Jesus to us in the gospel when he repeatedly spoke of “God seeing you in secret” – God is always listening to us but do we listen to him?

In order to truly listen to God, first we must learn his language which is silence. See how the word “silent” is a palindrome of “listen” which is the reason why we have two ears so that we may listen more than speak. Remember also the shape of our ears – when placed together they form a heart because listening is not letting the words pass through the other ear nor keep in one’s head to understand but meant to bring down into our hearts so we can be more loving and kind, leading to oneness and bonding with the other persons.

Here we can adopt the suggestions of the CBCP that we fast this Lent on social media: no more cellphones before sleep and after waking up; limit social media and streaming time; observe device-free meals and gatherings; replace screen time with prayer and making time to be with others personally.

*Photo by author, Sacred Heart Novitiate, Novaliches, QC, March 2025.*

Fasting. According to Pope Leo, “fasting is a concrete way to prepare ourselves to receive the word of God.” He explains that “because it involves the body, fasting makes it easier to recognize what we ‘hunger’ for and what we deem necessary for our sustenance. Moreover, it helps us identify and order our ‘appetites,’ keeping our hunger and thirst for justice alive and freeing us from complacency.”

Again, let us use our Filipino language in understanding fasting and abstinence as well. Fasting is linked with abstaining from food. For us Filipinos, the most common practice of fasting and abstinence is avoiding meat like no meat on Fridays; meat in Filipino is laman. Therefore, when we say “no meat” it literally means walang laman which means empty in Filipino. It is when we are empty of ourselves that we become filled with God and his word, eventually of others especially the sick and suffering.

In a very interesting way, Pope Leo XIV invites us beginning this Lent to fast with our “tongue”: “Let us begin by disarming our language, avoiding harsh words and rash judgment, refraining from slander and speaking ill of those who are not present and cannot defend themselves. Instead, let us strive to measure our words and cultivate kindness and respect in our families, among our friends, at work, in social media, in political debates, in the media and in Christian communities. In this way, words of hatred will give way to words of hope and peace.”

*Photo by MART PRODUCTION on Pexels.com*

Together. Finally, the Holy Father sums up that listening and fasting must both lead to the common good, the unity of peoples because “conversion refers not only to one’s conscience, but also to the quality of our relationships and dialogue. It means allowing ourselves to be challenged by reality and recognizing what truly guides our desires” not only as a community but especially in our “thirst for justice and reconciliation”.

Again, our Filipino word for listening says it all: pakikinig leads to pagniniig or intimacy which is oneness, communion, and bonding. True conversion leads to communion that begins with reconciliation as St. Paul called on us today in the second reading, “We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. Behold, now is a very acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation (1Cor. 5:20,6:2).”

As we receive the ash on our foreheads today, let us have moments of silence to listen to God’s voice we have stifled in our hearts, let us fast from talking and scrolling, and together we help each other to truly journey inside our true selves to meet God this Lent. To meet God is to die into one’s self, one’s sins, one’s selfishness as well dying literally speaking which the old formula of imposition of ash solemnly declares, “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.”

Let’s face it: it is the reality of death that we have often tried to deny and escape in life that have kept our hearts consumed with all these distractions in modern life that have led us into sins and meaninglessness. Let us start anew today in Christ Jesus to find ourselves and God within our hearts. Amen. A blessed Ash Wednesday to you!

Mary, an overflowing of God’s grace

Lord My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II
Wednesday, Memorial of Our Lady of Lourdes & World Day of Sick,
11 February 2026
Isaiah 66:10-14     ><}}}}*> + ><}}}}*> + ><}}}}*>     John 2:1-11

*Photo by Architect Philip Santiago, Lourdes, France, October 2025.*

Praise and glory to you O God, 
our loving and merciful Father 
who has given us a wonderful 
and most kind Mother in Mary
the Blessed Virgin through 
Jesus Christ your Son.

From the beginning 
since Jesus Christ began his ministry 
to our present time, 
the Blessed Virgin Mary 
has always been with Jesus 
showing us your great signs 
of presence, 
of generosity, 
and of life 
first anticipated 
at the wedding feast at Cana.

On the third day there was a wedding in Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the wedding. When the wine ran short, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” Jesus said to her, “Woman, how does your concern affect me? My hour has not yet come.” His mother said to the servers, “Do whatever he tells you.” Jesus told them, “Fill the jars with water” (John 2:1-5, 7).

How wonderful 
to recall and meditate
 on this first miracle of Jesus
of turning water into wine
 at the wedding feast at Cana
 through the intercession
 of his Mother,
 the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Through Mary,
 your abundant blessings,
 O God, have continued
to overflow upon us
 even after she is now
with you and Jesus
 as Queen
of heaven and earth.

How true were your words
 to the Prophet Isaiah
 that you shall send Israel a mother
 who shall comfort us,
 a mother in whom you shall
 spread prosperity and blessings
 (Isaiah 66:10-14).

How lovely that 
more than 1800 years after Cana,
another miracle happened anew
using the same element of water
through Mary in Lourdes, France;
how amazing in both Cana
and Lourdes, Jesus asserted
water as the primordial element
 of life and symbol of humanity;
most amazing Lord Jesus
that since that miracle at Cana,
your life continues to overflow
upon us through Mary your
Mother and our Mother too
in Lourdes, France.

Like the servers at Cana,
Mary told the young St. Bernadette
at Lourdes to dig on earth 
so water may burst forth as spring, 
like life coming out of the womb of the earth; 
until now, that spring has been 
the source of many healings 
and other miracles 
among generations of peoples 
from all walks of life and nations;
these waters of Lourdes
remain as symbols 
of fruitfulness and of healing, 
of maternity in Mary 
who cares most to us 
and the sick  
in Jesus our Savior.

Give us the grace, 
dear Jesus
the gifts of purity 
and cleanliness 
in our hearts 
so that we may become 
like Mary at Cana and Lourdes,
a vessel of your healing 
and compassion 
especially for the sick 
of the world.

Grant us, 
dear Jesus,
the gift of listening
and docility like the servers
in Cana and 
St. Bernadette in Lourdes 
to always "do whatever
you tell us."
Amen.

Listening like the good soil?

Lord My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II
Wednesday, Memorial of St. Thomas Aquinas, Priest & Doctor of the Church, 28 January 2026
2 Samuel 7:4-7 <*[[[[>< +++ ><]]]]*> Mark 4:1-20

*Photo by Nikola u010cedu00edkovu00e1 on Pexels.com*

"May tainga ang lupa,
may pakpak ang balita."

A Filipino saying
to express how news
and rumors travel so fast 
because "The soil (or land) 
has ears, news has wings."

It sounds funny, Lord Jesus
that this saying came to my mind
upon hearing your parable that
started with your words "Hear this!
A sower went out..." 
and ended, "Whoever has ears
to hear ought to hear" 
(Mark 4:3, 9).

What an art you
have endowed each of us
Lord with two ears 
so that we may listen and
hear twice than speak;
how lovely you have shaped
our ears that when put 
together, they look like a heart
and yet, we rarely listen at all
to you and with others.

Make us like the good soil,
Jesus: open to receive your words,
open to welcome your many
possibilities, open to simply
be ourselves so that you may
transform us like the seeds
that grew and produced fruits.

Remind us, Lord Jesus,
like David by Nathan that
far more better than buildings
on land is our hearts where you
desire most to dwell;
may our hearts remain
your temple planted on 
good, firm soil that it may
be felt alive always.

Teach us to imitate
your great Saint Thomas Aquinas
we remember today: that we
may cultivate to prepare
our hearts and minds
to become like the good soil
so that your seeds of the Gospel
may grow and bear fruit
for your greater glory.
Amen.

Advent is believing even without seeing

Lord My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II
Friday in the First Week of Advent, 05 December 2025
Isaiah 29:17-24 ><))))*> + ><))))*> + ><))))*> Matthew 9:27-31

I love your words today,
Lord Jesus Christ:
"Do you believe 
that I can do this?"
(Matthew 9:28)

How amazing is this story,
so Advent because the season
calls us to believe,
to wait,
even to see you Jesus
even we cannot see
anything at all!

How can two blind men
follow you except by
merely listening,
even listen intently
when we who can see
cannot see you,
refuse to follow you,
refuse to believe you?

Like those two blind men,
we tell you today that
"Yes, Lord, we believe
you can make us see again."
Please do so.
Make it quick.
For we are so blinded 
by the world's playful lights
including its darkness
so romanticized
that many drift 
away from you.
Amen.

Virtue of listening

Lord My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul, 07 August 2025
Wednesday, Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time, Year I
Numbers 20:1-13     <*((((>< + ><))))*>     Matthew 16:13-23

Lord Jesus Christ,
today I pray for the grace
and virtue of listening
especially in this world so filled
with noise with everyone
and everything speaking
even machines like cars
and elevators and phones;
how sad that photos about
listening are images 
of headphones and ear pods 
that are not totally about listening
which is more than hearing the sound
but also hearing the silence.
That is why 
listening is a virtue, 
a grace,
and an art.
Why, even prayer is listening!
And that is what we must pray more
these days that we learn to listen
more in order to truly pray,
hear your voice in silence.

The responsorial psalm 
says it so well this day,
"Today if you hear his voice,
harden not your hearts."

Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi and asked his disciples, “Who do people say 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” (Matthew 16:13-17).

You always ask us,
Jesus and we can easily
answer you when it concerns
other people
but when you ask us
personally,
when your question is
addressed as "YOU" -
we rarely can answer because
we do not listen both to you
and to ourselves.

Without listening,
we cannot answer and
follow you, Lord;
without listening,
we cannot obey you, Lord;
without listening,
we cannot stay and
and remain in you, Lord.

Yesterday in the Feast of
the Transfiguration,
the voice of the Father was
clearly heard,
telling us to listen to you,
O Lord Jesus,
his Chosen Son
(Luke 9:35)
and we still do not listen.

*A 1311 painting of the Transfiguration by Italian artist Duccio di Buoninsegna from commons.wikimedia.org.*

Why was only Peter able
to answer your question?
Maybe because he was the
only one who truly listened
and understood your question,
Lord; and maybe, he was the
only one who truly listened and
heard the answer from the
Father.

Even Moses refused to listen
to you, Lord when he struck twice
the rock at Meribah for water
contrary to your command that cost
his denial of entrance into the
Promised Land; 
forgive us, Jesus
for the many times we
have refused to listen
and failed to faithfully
do your work in the way
you want it be done;
forgive us, Jesus,
in listening more 
to the ways of the world
than to the ways of God.
Amen.

Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II
Our Lady of Fatima University
Valenzuela City

The seed is always good

Lord My Chef Daily Recipe for Soul, 23 July 2025
Wednesday, Memorial of St. Bridget of Sweden, Religious
Exodus 16:1-5, 9-15     <*((((>< + ><))))*>     Matthew 13:1-9

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

Lord Jesus,
you are the Sower
and your seed is always good:
wherever it falls,
it grows;
most of all,
you are most good
as you never tire
of going out 
to sow 
your good seed!

“A sower went out to sow… Whoever has ears ought to hear” (Matthew 13:3,9).

*“The Sower” painting by Van Gogh from en.wikipedia.org*

Open my heart 
and my soul, dear Jesus
to listen intently to your
word and be a "rich soil"
like St. Bridget of Sweden 
whose devotion to family,
to her people especially the poor
and to Church reforms that led
to the return of the papacy to Rome
proved her to be a seed well sown;
there are times when I am just like
the path where your seeds fell
that fed only the birds;
quite often, I am like the rocky ground
so full of enthusiasm but wanes quickly
when challenges come;
worst of all, Lord Jesus,
free me from the many thorns
that steal me from you
that I stop maturing and growing; 
let me be the rich soil who
receives you and your seed:
let your light of truth
and warmth of faith help me grow;
may your hope nourish me
especially when days are dark
and nights are long;
most of all,
water me with your love
and charity 
to bear all 
and be fruitful.
Amen.

Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II
Our Lady of Fatima University
Valenzuela City

When name is the presence

Lord My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul, 17 July 2025
Thursday, Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time, Year I
Exodus 3:13-20   <*(((>< + ><)))*>   Matthew 11:28-30

*Photo by author, Cabo da Roca, Pundaquit, San Antonio, Zambales, 14 May 2025.*

Today, I tried going back
to your presence, Lord;
I tried feeling your sacred
ground again;
there was no burning bush
to see but I felt my heart
burning inside as I dwelled
on your name:

God replied, “I am who am.” Then he added, “This is what you shall tell the children of Israel: I Am sent me to you.” God spoke further to Moses, “This is my name forever; this is my title for all generations” (Exodus 3:14-15).

Unlike our name,
your name "I AM", 
Lord is most unique -
right away when I say
your name, I feel you!
Your name is more than a name
for it is YOU yourself - so deep,
so true, so powerful that you envelop 
me in your person; when I think of
your name "I AM", I am already
dissolved and overwhelmed!
Moreover, 
your "I AM" is exactly 
what I feel,
and realize,
and experience
in Christ calling us:

“Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).

*Photo by author, Sacred Heart Novitiate, Novaliches, QC, 2023.*

Today I come to you,
Jesus with all my burdens
and worries,
pains and hurts,
sickness and
sufferings;
you are I AM, Lord -
heed our cries like in Egypt:
the crime and corruption
so rampant,
the selfishness and pride
of everyone,
the sin and evil that stink,
 a kind of darkness lurking
everywhere;
yes, there are modern Pharaohs
lording over us today
but most of all too,
it is us who lord over
our lives most of the time;
bring us back to the burning bush
so we may take off our
sandals because the whole
earth is yours which we have
usurped and destroyed;
let us feel you again, "I AM"
all around,
all encompassing;
let us enter you, Lord,
to experience your abundance
of love and mercy,
warmth and light,
life and new hope;
let us rest in you, Lord
like in Eden when you alone
is God.
Not us.
Amen.

Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II
Our Lady of Fatima University
Valenzuela City

*Photo by author, Hidden Spring Resort, Calauan, Laguna, February 2025.*

Saan ka galing, saan ka pupunta?

Lord My Chef Daily Recipe, Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II
Sacred Heart Novena Day 9, 26 June 2025

*Detalye ng painting ng Sacred Heart of Jesus sa Visitation Monastery, Marclaz, France mula sa godongphoto / Shutterstock.*

Huling araw ng ating pagsisiyam sa Dakilang Kapistahan ng Kamahal-Mahalang Puso ni Jesus. Pinangakuan kahapon ng Diyos si Abram na magiging ama ng lahat ng bansa, na magiging kasing dami ng mga bituin sa langit kung gabi ang kanyang mga anak subalit matanda na siya ay wala pa rin silang anak ni Sarai.

Nag-magandang loob si Sarai at sinabi kay Abram na tabihan ang alipin niyang si Agar upang magkaanak sa kanya. Hindi nga nagtagal ay nagdalantao si Agar mula kay Abram at dito nagbago ihip ng hangin. Nagmalaki at hinamak ni Agar ang kanyang amo na si Sarai kaya’t nagalit siya at nagsumbong kay Abram.

Tulad ng sino mang mister, walang nagawa si Abram sa pagkagalit ni Sarai kaya sinoli niya sa kanya ang alipin niyang si Sarai. Gumanti at pinahirapan ni Sarai ang kanyang aliping si Agar na noon ay nagdadalang-tao ng anak ni Abram hanggang sa maglayas.

Pinagmalupitan ni Sarai si Agar, kaya ito ay tumakas. Sinalubong siya ng anghel ni Yahweh sa tabi ng isang bukal na nasa ilang. Tinanong siya, “Agar, alipin ni Sarai, saan ka nanggaling at saan ka pupunta?” “Tumakas po ako sa aking panginoon,” sagot niya. “Magbalik ka at pailalim sa kanyang kapangyarihan,” wika ng anghel. At idinugtong pa: “Ang mga anak mo ay pararamihin, At sa karamiha’y di kayang bilangin” (Genesis 16:6b-10).

*Larawan kuha ng may-akda, Pundaquit, San Antonio, Zambales, 15 Mayo 2025.*

Maraming pagkakataon sa buhay katulad tayo ni Sarai: sa pagmamagandang loob natin, madalas napapasama pa tayo. Inaabuso ng ilan kabutihang loob natin. Kasi rin naman, madalas tayo pabigla-bigla sa pagdedesiyon lalo na kung pinanginigbabawan tayo ng kapangyarihan na sa una tingin natin ginagamit natin sa kabutihan ngunit di alintana masamang epekto sa ilan.

Sa gitna ng lahat ng ito, naroon pa rin kabutihan ng Diyos. Mabuti na lang na hindi natin siya katulad dahil ang gawi natin kapag sumablay plano natin ay magsisihan.

Patas ang Diyos sa lahat. Kasi mapagmahal siya. Sa halip na sisihin tayo na dahil tayo naman palagi may kagagawan ng problema natin, humahanap siya palagi ng solusyon. Nakita ng Diyos na nakawawa si Agar bagama’t inabuso niya kagandahang loob ni Sarai. Wala siyang kapangyarihan, napakahina bilang alipin. At pagkatapos ay nagdadalantao. Kaya sa kanyang lungkot at hirap ay naglayas at nakita kanyang sariling nag-iisa, nawawala at takot na takot doon sa ilang. Parang tayo.

Ngunit hinanap pa rin siya – at tayo – ng Diyos upang pagpalain.

Tingnan kabutihan ng Diyos: hinahanap tayo at pinagpapala maski hindi tayo mabuti sa harap niya. Bagkus, higit pa nga niyang hinahanap at tila pinahahalagahan ang mga nawawala o naliligaw.

Ang ganda ng tanong ng anghel kay Agar na siya ring tanong sa atin ngayon, “Saan ka nanggaling at saan ka pupunta?”

Pagkaraan ng siyam na araw nating nobenaryo sa Sacred Heart, tingnan natin sarili nating paglalakbay sa pananampalataya, ating pinanggalingan at pinagdaanan sa buhay. Naroon ba Diyos sa oras ng ating paghihirap at pagsubok?

Tayo ba ay papalapit o papalayo sa Diyos sa ating buhay ngayon?

Pagmasdan pagkilala ng Diyos sa paghihirap ni Agar. Batid ng Diyos kanyang mga sugat. Sa sariling buhay natin marami ding pagkakataon nagpahayag ng habag at awa ang Diyos sa ating mga hirap na pinagdaraanan.

Ang pinaka-magandang bahagi nito ay ang pagbabalik ni Agar kay Sarai. Ang kanyang pagtitiwala sa Diyos na nangakong mula sa kanyang magiging anak kay Abram ay magmumula ang isa ring malaking lahi. Pati pangalan ng kanyang magiging anak ay Diyos ang nagbigay, Ishmael na ibig sabihin ay “nakikinig ang Diyos.”

Ngayong bisperas ng Dakilang Kapistahan ng Kamahal-Mahalang Puso ni Jesus, walang duda nakikinig ang Diyos sa ating mga poanawagan at dalangin, tangis at panaghoy sa maraming sakit at hirap. Subalit, tayo ba ay nakikinig naman sa kanya?

Mismong si Jesus nagsabi hindi lahat ng tumatawag sa kanya ng “Panginoon, Panginoon” ay maliligtas dahil kung taliwas naman ang ating buhay sa ating pananampalataya. Kaya ngayong araw, balikan natin ating pinanggalingan upang maging maliwanag kung tayo nga ay malinaw pa rin sa patutunguhan, ang Diyos.

O Jesus na mayroong
maamo at mapagkumbabang Puso,
Gawin Mong ang puso nami'y
matulad sa Puso Mo!
Amen.