Lord My Chef Daily Recipe for Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II Wednesday, Twenty-Sixth Week in Ordinary Time, Year II Memorial of St. Jerome, Priest & Doctor of the Church, 30 September 2026
Photo by author, Cabo de Roca, Pundaquit, San Antonio, Zambales, 15 May 2025.
Many times in life I see myself like Job, Lord: at a loss at how things are happening with me; I cannot complain but deep I know that in this life, good is rewarded, evil is punished; but, how does one explain when bad things happen to good people?
Like Job, I have no claims to holiness but deep inside I am convinced of my innocence in many occasions that I ask, I wonder, I "protest" of the difficulties and sufferings I am going through.
How must I approach, you, Lord?
You are all powerful, you can do anything; should you come near me, I see you not; should you pass by, I am now aware of your coming; should you seize me, what can I say nor do (Job (9:11-12).
Even though I were right, I could not answer him, but should rather beg for what was due to me. If I appealed to him and he answered my call, I could nhot believe that he would hearken to my words (Job 9:15-16).
Truth is, many times I really do not and would never understand for sure the things happening to me except that I just have to trust you more like Job.
Or St. Jerome who went through many ordeals in his life largely due to his own making with his kind of temperament. What matters is that unlike the three would-be disciples in the gospel today, Job, St. Jerome, and hopefully me, your lowly servant Lord, will simply follow you even if we never understand why and how things are turning out in my life.
Let me approach you, Lord, the way St. Jerome had shown and taught us: by praying your Words, the Sacred Scriptures where you speak directly to us in the most personal manner. Amen.
Photo by author, Cabo de Roca, Pundaquit, San Antonio, Zambales, 14 May 2025.
Lord My Chef Daily Recipe for Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II Thursday, Twenty-Fifth Week in Ordinary Time, Year II, 24 September 2026 Ecclesiastes 1:2-11 ><]]]]'> + ><]]]]'> + ><]]]]'> Luke 9:7-9
Photo by Ms. Jo Villafuerte, Atok, Benguet, 01 September 2019.
Your words today,
O Lord our God,
both in the first reading
from Ecclesiastes and
the gospel remind me of
Bob Dylan's 1963 song
"Blowin' in the Wind" -
that all these problems
we are facing like wars
and social inequalities
stem from our failure and
refusal to open our eyes
to see the most obvious
things that are just
blowin' in the wind.
How many roads must a man walk down Before you call him a man? How many seas must a white dove sail Before she sleeps in the sand? Yes, and how many times must the cannonballs fly Before they’re forever banned?
The answer, my friend, is blowin’ in the wind The answer is blowin’ in the wind
Photo by Ms. Jo Villafuerte, Atok, Benguet, 01 September 2019.
Thousands of years
before Bob Dylan came,
there was Qoheleth
telling us,
"Vanity of vanities...
All things are vanity!"
Like the wind,
"Blowing now toward
the south, then toward
the north, the wind turns
again and again,
resuming its rounds"
(Ecclesiastes 1:2, 6).
We simply had to feel what everyone is feeling to be kind, a "kin" to everyone but we are so vain thinking only of our very selves that we can't feel the blowin' of the wind to see you in everyone.
Yes, and how many years must a mountain exist Before it is washed to the sea? Yes, and how many years can some people exist Before they’re allowed to be free? Yes, and how many times can a man turn his head And pretend that he just doesn’t see?
The answer, my friend, is blowin’ in the wind The answer is blowin’ in the wind
Photo by author, Mt. St. Paul Spiritual Center, La Trinidad, Benguet, 07 January 2025.
Two thousand years ago
your Son our Savior
Jesus came to reveal
you to us, Father,
suffering, dying and rising
from the dead but still,
many refused to recognize him,
preferring to be like Herod Antipas
who ordered John the Baptist killed
but when he heard about the Christ,
"And he kept trying to see him"
(Luke 9:9) when he eventually met
and spoke with briefly but never "saw"
at all.
And that is vanity,
O Lord:
when we keep on searching,
wanting to see someone,
something so obviously present
among; open our eyes,
our hearts,
let us not be vain
in order to see what is obvious
we are so oblivious
in finding you on the face
of everyone we meet
no matter what his/her color
and belief and background in life.
Open our very selves to find
you Lord on everyone's face,
to hear the cries and pleas
of those suffering and
disadvantaged, the weakest
like the sick and dying,
the youngest and oldest.
Amen.
Yes, and how many times must a man look up Before he can see the sky? Yes, and how many ears must one man have Before he can hear people cry? Yes, and how many deaths will it take ’til he knows That too many people have died?
The answer, my friend, is blowin’ in the wind The answer is blowin’ in the wind
Lord My Chef Daily Recipe by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II Thursday in the Thirteenth Week of Ordinary Time, Year II, 02 July 2026 Amos 7:10-17 ><]]]]'> + ><]]]]'> + ><]]]]'> Matthew 9:1-8
Illustration from parentandchildbiblereading.com.
Dearest Lord Jesus,
today I pray for the many among us
carrying so much weight on their
shoulders,
those depressed,
those feeling unforgiven
or worthless -
heal them, Lord.
Make them realize there is
always a chance to change for
the better in you.
Clear their minds
and hearts of doubts
and mistrust on others
especially those who genuinely
love and care for them but
they feel are against them.
Like that paralytic,
relieve those still carrying
the burden of past mistakes and sin
that have paralyzed them,
trapped them that they could
not move on with life.
May they have the courage
to stand up
and walk free.
How amazing,
dear Jesus,
that you noticed the man lying
on the mat was the one burdened with
past sins; so lovely to realize how
nothing escapes you, Jesus:
the friends of the paralytic
were the ones carrying,
exerting effort to bring the paralytic
yet you knew for sure it was
actually the paralytic burdened
not his friends.
Likewise,
we pray for the countless
family and friends of those paralytics
overburdened with sin and worries
who patiently carry them;
shower them with blessings in
their perseverance in putting up with
a loved one like that paralytic -
unappreciative of other's care and
concern for them
so that one day,
they may look at their message
of love and understanding
and not see them as enemies.
Amen.
Photo by author, Cabo de Roca, Pundaquit, San Antonio, Zambales, 15 June 2025.
Lord My Chef Sunday Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II Pentecost Sunday-A, 24 May 2026 Acts 2:1-11 ><}}}}*> 1 Corinthians 12:3-7, 12-13 ><}}}}*> John 20:19-23
Photos from cnn.com, 15 May 2025.
One of the reels I love watching in Instagram is Yuji Belleza, a young Japanese who speaks different languages, going around Europe talking to all kinds of people by speaking their native tongues.
What I like most with him is his openness to learn many things not just words and languages from those he interviews in his popular Instagram reels. It is precisely what Luke is telling us this Solemnity of the Pentecost: more than language facility, the most important in the spread and growth of the Church then and now is “openness” of Christ’s disciples.
When the time for Pentecost was fulfilled, they were all in one place together. And suddenly there came from the sky a noise like a strong driving wind, and it filled the entire house in which they were. Then there appeared to them tongues of fire, which parted and came to rest on each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues, as te Spirit enabled them to proclaim. Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven staying in Jerusalem. At this sound, they gathered in a large crowd, but they were confused because each one heard them speaking in his own language. They were astounded, and in amazement they asked, “Are not all these people who are speaking Galileans?” (Acts 2:1-7)
From pinterest.com.
From the Greek word pente for 50, Pentecost is a Jewish feast celebrated fifty days after the ratification of their covenant with God by Moses in Sinai; eventually, it became a feast of their first harvests upon entering the Promised Land that it was like a new beginning in life for them.
And rightly so for us Christians too. The Church started to spread from Jerusalem on that Pentecost Sunday to become the largest in the world today. More than a feast we remember today fifty days after Easter, Pentecost is an event we recognize and affirm to be happening daily in our lives as disciples of Jesus Christ.
Like the popular Japanese linguist Yuji on Instagram, we too experience “being at home” abroad when we find countrymen, people who speak our native tongue. Thank God for the millions of Filipinos spread around the world that you can surely meet anywhere, anytime you go abroad.
Photo by author, Istanbul, Turkiye, 31 October 2025.
Last year we went to Turkiye and found a Catholic church run by Franciscans near our hotel in Istanbul. We went early to introduce ourselves to the pastor, hoping we could concelebrate the Mass with him. The Irish pastor gladly welcomed us, telling us that the choir and lectors in charge that Sunday were Filipinos. Sure enough after the Mass, they all followed us to the sacristy to make mano and of course, picture picture!
You know that feeling of being “home” – safe and secured, peaceful and joyful upon finding someone who speaks your own language in a foreign land with different culture and language. And weather!
Many times God comes to us in a similar way – speaking and feeling exactly like us but, unfortunately, we disregard his words and instructions because we have our own agenda and plans until finally we realize in the end after losing everything how we should have listened and obeyed him.
On the other hand, there is also that feeling of being home even abroad when you are able to communicate and understand foreigners using only sign languages while uttering some words like you are in a charades game. Despite our many differences, there are those feelings of safety and peace, of forging on in our journey because understanding is always possible by simply being open. We can even communicate with deaf mutes for as long as we are open and creative. And patient too.
Many times, God communicates with us in the same manner – through signs but problem is we do not have the interest to engage with him because we have other plans in life so that when things go wrong, there is always that sigh of missed opportunities in disregarding God.
Pentecost asks us how open are we to God and others as disciples of Christ?
Photo from shutterstock.com
From last Sunday’s upward shift for us to rise in our relationships with God and one another, Pentecost shows us its downward movement to open ourselves to the leading of Holy Spirit to become one in our relationships despite our many differences.
Matthew told us last Sunday that when Jesus ascended into heaven, some of his disciples were still doubting him. Today, Luke tells us how all those doubts were finally cleared at the descent of the Holy Spirit who emboldened the disciples with wisdom and knowledge, courage and perseverance to proclaim Christ’s gospel to all nations despite the persecutions and other difficulties that followed.
Painting by El Greco, “Pentecostes” (1597) from commons.wikimedia.org.
Pentecost continues in our present time when we shatter those walls and locked doors of pride, selfishness and conceit, opening ourselves to the daily coming of the Holy Spirit. Luke used a simple word in his story that can help us have that attitude of openness to the Holy Spirit.
The word is devout – in Filipino it is “deboto” connoting a person so closed with his religious beliefs like “Catolico cerrado.”
But, devout as used by Luke means a person with a “good heart, ready to believe, and then act openly and with courage” (Timothy Clayton, Exploring Advent with Luke; page 125).
Only Luke used the word devout in the Sacred Scriptures when in his gospel he described Simeon as “righteous and devout” (Lk.2:25) who sang the Nunc Dimittis during the presentation of Jesus at the temple. He then used it thrice in the Acts as we have heard today of the “devout Jews” staying in Jerusalem on that Pentecost day when the Holy Spirit came (2:5); then “the devout men who buried” the first martyr Stephen (8:2), and finally calling Ananias a “devout observer of the law” whom God instructed to pray over and heal Saul of his blindness after meeting Jesus on the road to Damascus (22:12).
More than being faithful to God and the Catholic faith, a devout person is one who is always open to the promptings of the Holy Spirit like Simeon and Anna awaiting the coming of the Messiah at the temple. Moreover, a devout person is one who makes happen the plans of God like Ananias who at first hesitated with Jesus in taking in Saul.
Our Filipino Missal used an interesting translation of Luke’s devout as palasamba sa Diyos that literally means one who worships God often. Or, someone who prays always.
Openness happens in prayers because that is when we become rooted in God, when we allow him to form us like the clay in the potter’s hand. More than the recitation and expression of ourselves in words, prayer is entering a relationship with God whom we call “Abba” as St. Paul explained in the second reading. That explains too why the Holy Spirit came on that Pentecost while the disciples with Mary were at prayer.
When we have prayer life, we grow in our sensitivity of God in others that we learn to become respectful, fair and just, and kind. Thus, we promote peace and goodwill with others too.
This Pentecost Sunday, let us allow the Holy Spirit to work in us by focusing more on Jesus than in ourselves in our many devotions and practices filled with pomp and pageantry that only divide us disciples of Christ
Let us open ourselves to Jesus by being devout in the truest sense wherein we are more open with persons especially the poor and disadvantaged than with things and numbers in measuring development as a nation like the GDP/GNP and infrastructures.
Yes, Jesus is now seated at the right hand of the Father in heaven but he remains with us here in this life, in this world in the Holy Spirit, day in, day out through us making Pentecost a reality daily. Amen. Have a blessed week ahead.
Lord My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II Monday in the Fourth Week of Easter, 27 April 2026 Acts 11:1-18 <*((((>< + ><))))*> John 10:11-18
Photo by author, the Sofia Hagia, Istanbul, Turkiye, 12 November 2025.
I miss you, Lord Jesus Christ; I miss reaching out to others in prayer, sharing you with them. Like Peter in Joppa.
The Apostles and the brothers who were in Judea heard that the Gentiles too had accepted the word of God. So when Peter went up to Jerusalem the circumcised believers confronted him, saying, “You entered the house of uncircumcised people and ate with them.” Peter began and explained it to them step by step, saying, “I was at prayer in the city of Joppa…” (Acts 11:1-5).
Lord Jesus, continue to work in me, most especially, let me see you working in others too, right in their hearts, especially those different from us not only physically but most especially in background and beliefs; remind me often that God's grace cannot be contained nor limited among us nor in a particular location only; may this Easter season be an occasion for us to change how we see one another as you yourself had said, "I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold" (John 10:16).
There are so many things I need to change in myself, Jesus, our Good Shepherd especially those so different from what I have been used to like in meeting you, seeing you, and following you. Amen.
Lord My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II Tuesday, Sixth Week in Ordinary Time, Year II, 17 February 2026 James 1:12-18 <*((((>< + ><))))*> Mark 8:14-21
Photo by author, San Juan, La Union, 09 January 2026.
Help me understand, Lord Jesus! Until now like your Apostles, I grapple and still baffled by your immense love for me, your boundless care and grace that most of the time I still don't get what you mean when you speak to me.
How I see myself seated there in your boat, side by side with the Twelve, thinking along the same line, still could not get your point vis-a-vis your recent gifts and blessings.
No one experiencing temptation should say, “I am being tempted by God”; for God is not subject to temptation to evil, and he himself tempts no one. Rather, each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his desire. Then desire conceives and brings forth sin, and when sin reaches maturity it gives birth to death. Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers and sisters: all good giving and every perfect gift is from above coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is not alteration or shadow caused by change (James 1:13-17).
This is another thing that must be clarified among us, Lord Jesus: God tests us but never tempts us!
God tests us, allows us to be tested to strengthen our faith, to make us grow and mature as persons dependent in him; temptations are pressures and enticements to lure us into sin, to disobey God that comes from many sources like pride and selfishness, the world and its comforts, and the devil himself.
This is the leaven of the Pharisees we must take guard against always, Lord Jesus; keep us focused on you alone, clear me of doubts and self-serving interests, to be always open to you by sharpening my perception of your loving presence. Amen.
Photo by author, San Juan, La Union, 09 January 2026.
Lord My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II Thursday, First Week in Ordinary Time, Year II, 15 January 2026 1 Samuel 4:1-11 <*((((>< + ><))))*> Mark 1:40-43
Photo by author, Basilica of Our Lady of Manaoag, 09 January 2026.
Your words since Monday at the start of Ordinary Time are so amazing and lovely, O God our Father; I love, O Lord, the contrasts presented between the first reading and the gospel just like today that is so unique with the striking differences in approaching you, dear God.
The Philistines fought and Israel was defeated; every man fled to his own tent. It was a disastrous defeat, in which Israel lost thirty thousand foot soldiers. The ark of God was captured, and Eli’s two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, were among the dead (1 Samuel 4:10-11).
A leper came to him (Jesus) and kneeling down begged him and said, “If you wish, you can make me clean.” Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand, touched the leper, and said to him, “I do will it. Be made clean.” The leprosy left him immediately, and he was made clean (Mark 1:40-42).
Until now, many of us are still like those Israelites who brought the Ark of the Covenant to the battlefront as if it were an "anting-anting" in fighting the Philistines who overwhelmingly defeated them; the recent Traslacion that many still continue to defend is something we ought to rectify or recalibrate by deepening our faith to put order and solemnity in a supposed to be religious activity; show us the way in witnessing to others the proper approach to you, Lord, is like that leper full of trust and surrender to your will, not in insisting our personal desires and "panata" that in the process we forget to imitate your Son Jesus in being loving and charitable. Amen.
Photo by author, Basilica of Our Lady of Manaoag, 09 January 2026.
Lord My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II Tuesday, First Week in Ordinary Time, Year II, 13 January 2026 1 Samuel 1:9-20 <*{{{{>< + ><}}}}*> Mark 1:21-28
Photo by author, Sabbath Place, Assumption Baguio, January 2019.
“It isn’t that, my lord,” Hannah answered. “I am an unhappy woman. I have neither wine nor liquor; I was only pouring out my troubles to the Lord” (1 Samuel 1:15).
How often people misread what is really inside us, Lord Jesus, especially when we pour out our troubles to you; and yet, you have always been so kind with us, so gracious in listening and most of all in granting our prayers and desires.
Teach us, dear Jesus to open ourselves more to you, to bare our souls to you to be cleansed and refreshed in your healing mercy and abounding love.
Most of all, help us to pour things out to you, Jesus those sins and evil we keep inside, those which we have buried deep inside us that continue to bother and destabilize us including the pains and hurts in the past that have imprisoned us and prevent us from experiencing your liberation and freedom, salvation and fresh start like that man with an unclean spirit in today's gospel. Amen.
Photo by author, Sabbath Place, Assumption Baguio, January 2019.
Lord My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II Monday in the Third Week of Advent, 15 December 2025 Number 24:2-7, 15-17 <*((((>< + ><))))*> Matthew 21:23-27
Photo by author, Malolos Cathedral, December 2019.
When Jesus had come into the temple area, the chief priests and the elders of the people approached him as he was teaching and said, "By whose authority are you doing these things? And who gave you the authority"? (Matthew 21:23)
Lord Jesus Christ, forgive me, forgive us for the many times we ask you the same question about your authority; so many times we do it so subtly by trying to ask it out of curiosity and fear, resistance and defiance, or a desire to understand more; whatever the reason, Lord, many times I find my questioning of your authority leads me more into myself, into my pride and ego.
As we get closer to your birthday, I ask for the grace of this Advent Season to be more open to your authority, Lord Jesus; teach me to trust always your silent authority in myn life; like Balaam in the Old Testament, grant me Jesus the grace to be faithful to your voice, to your manifestations, to submit myself to your authority speaking only your words and doing your will. Amen.
A painting by early Christians in the catacombs of Rome depicting Balak the King of Moab asking Balaam on his donkey to curse the Israelites before a battle; the Lord appeared on the skies to Balaam, commanding him to bless instead the Israelites who won over the Moabites.
Lord My Chef Daily Recipe by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II Thursday in the First Week of Advent, 04 December 2025 Isaiah 26:1-6 <*((((>< + ><))))*> Matthew 7:21, 24-27
Photo by author, Malolos Cathedral, December 2019.
On that day they will sing this song in the land of Judah: "A strong city have we; he sets up walls and ramparts to protect us. Open up the gates to let in a nation that is just, one that keeps faith" (Isaiah 26:1-2).
Like most cities, O Lord our God, I lay in ruins: physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually; feeling lost, almost collapsing, trembling in so many fears and concerns; but my faith in you assures me of being "a strong city" with "walls and ramparts" that protect me; I may not see them now but "open the gates" of my heart to trust in you, in your continuing work in me so mysterious that leads to victory eventually.
Give me patience and perseverance; enliven my hope in you, Jesus Christ who comes to me daily, dwelling in me to be my "everlasting rock".
Jesus said to his disciples: “Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock. The rains fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and buffeted the house. But it did not collapse; it had been set solidly on rock” (Matthew 7:24-25).
Keep me faithful in you, Lord Jesus as I rejoice in your works, in your comfort, in your presence and coming. Amen.
