Finding Meaning and Direction in Life

The Lord Is My Chef Breakfast Recipe-Prayer

Thursday//27September2018//Week XXV//Year II

Ecclesiastes 1:2-11///Luke 9:7-9

It is a Thursday Lord and I wonder what you feel how we have made this day a “throwback Thursday” when we all look back to the past partly just for fun, partly perhaps to find meaning in life today. We listen to old music, we dig albums for old photos to reminisce good old days to feel good, to find direction and meaning in life.

And despite all these, Qoheleth hit it right, “What has been, that will be, what has been done, that will be done. Nothing is new under the sun.”(Eccl.1:9)

There are times we are like Herod the tetrarch in today’s gospel who could not believe at all the wondrous things happening around despite the many darkness in life. There are times we have refused to accept and recognize your presence among us, Lord Jesus, amid the many sufferings and poverty in this world because we are scandalized by your cross. We are so afraid to even get near your cross not knowing that you can only be found there.

Fill our hearts with the same courage and charity you have given St. Vincent de Paul who found you among the poorest of the poor he had willingly served in his lifetime. Make us realize like him that meaning and direction in life can only be found in you and your cross, lest everything becomes “vanity of vanities”. AMEN. Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II, Parokya ng San Juan Apostol at Ebanghelista, Gov. F. Halili Ave., Bagbaguin, Sta. Maria, Bulacan 3022.

*Photo by Mr. Raffy Tima of GMA-7 News, Batanes before Typhoon Ompong, 14 September 2018. Used with permission.

A Prayer for Contentment

The Lord Is My Chef Breakfast Recipe-Prayer

Wednesday//26September2018//Week XXV//Year II

Proverbs 30:5-9///Luke 9:1-6

Today Lord I borrow the prayer of the author of the Book of Proverbs for this is essentially I believe the only thing most necessary: “Two things I ask of you, deny them not to me before I die. Put falsehood and lying far from me, give me neither poverty nor riches, provide me only with the food I need. Lest, being full, I deny you, saying, ‘Who is the Lord?’ Or, being in want, I steal, and profane the name of my God.”(Prov.30:7-9)

When life for us is so easy and everything is in abundance, we feel so perfect, forgetting all about you but, when tough times come, we sometimes blame you for all our woes. Teach us to be content with what we have. And most of all, to share whatever we have, most especially your special gifts to us like the brothers Saints Cosmas and Damian who were both physicians who treated patients for free during their time. Like your disciples you have sent to proclaim the good news, teach us to rely always on your providence. AMEN. Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II, Parokya ng San Juan Apostol at Ebanghelista, Gov. F. Halili Ave., Bagbaguin, Sta. Maria, Bulacan 3022.

*Photo by Mr. Raffy Tima of GMA News, Batanes before typhoon Ompong, 14 September 2018. Used with permission.

Deepening Our Family Ties In Christ

The Lord Is My Chef Breakfast Recipe-Prayer

Tuesday//25September2018//Week XXV//Year II

Proverbs 21:1-6, 10-13///Luke 8:19-21

Dearest God:

Every time we would pray, we always call you “our Father” without really realizing its deeper meaning and implications. Today’s gospel surprised and even shocked us when your Son Jesus Christ claimed “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and act on it.”(Lk.8:21) Thank you in showing to us the deeper realities of our family that we always take for granted.

It is always easy to know who are our family but so difficult to recognize them deeper and truly with all the love and respect as father and mother, brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus. Give us the grace like Jesus to find our relationships rooted in you so we can have more harmony and peace in the family. Bless us today with your grace to always “do what is right and just”especially in dealing with our family for that is “more acceptable to you than sacrifice.” (Prov.21:3) AMEN. Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II, Parokya ng San Juan Apostol at Ebanghelista, Gov. F. Halili Ave., Bagbaguin, Sta. Maria, Bulacan 3022.

Photo from Google.

A Lamp of Jesus

person standing on shoreline beside gray tubular lantern — Photo by Alan Cabello on Pexels.com

The Lord Is My Chef Breakfast Recipe-Prayer

Monday//24September2018//Week XXV//Year II

Proverbs 3:27-34///Luke 8:16-18

God our Father, it is again a Monday. Thank you for the gift of life, the gift of work, the gift of responsibilities, the gift of one another. Give us the grace to always do whatever is good and remain humble before you through others (Prov.3:35).

Open our eyes to see more of the many things we can learn instead of seeing the many faults and failures of others as well as shortcomings in many situations we find ourselves in. The world is one vast classroom with so many wonderful things to enjoy and cherish!

Make me a lamp of the light of your Son Jesus Christ to dispel the darkness not only in the world but most especially within each one of us. Make me a lamp that would reveal the truth of our being your beloved children, sanctified and forgiven in Christ Jesus. Let us all gain more of your love and mercy, more of your justice and peace, more of you in the power of the Holy Spirit. AMEN.Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II, Parokya ng San Juan Apostol at Ebanghelista, Gov. F. Halili Ave., Bagbaguin, Sta. Maria, Bulacan 3022.

The Light of Christ Conquers Darkness of Sin

The Lord Is My Chef Breakfast Recipe-Prayer

Feast of St. Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist//21 September 2018

Ephesians 4:1-7, 11-13///Matthew 9:9-13

Heavenly Father, we thank you for this feast of Matthew the Apostle who wrote for us one of the gospels that gave us a wonderful picture of the humanity of your Son Jesus Christ. In His humanity, Christ showed us in turn your gift of divinity for sinners like us in calling Matthew.

As Jesus passed by, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the customs post. He said to him, “Follow me.” And he got up and followed him. (Mt.9:9)

How wonderful it is that most of the Apostles you have called Lord are of low standing in the society like fishermen and now, a tax collector considered a sinner who is corrupt and a traitor as well. We are all a Matthew, a sinner with a dark past, a dark background, even hiding in the darkness of sins and evil.

How wonderful O Lord that you have come to call us from the dark, lighting up our path, most especially our faces to bring out that image and likeness of the Father when we were first created. Like that beautiful painting of Caravaggio in the call of Matthew, come in our darkness not with flashing but with soft light that brightens us with hope and meaning in life.

Continue to enlighten us, O Lord, with your warm light to enable us to “live in a manner worthy of the call we have received from you.” (Eph.4:1) Most of all, help us like Matthew to rise always from our sinfulness and weaknesses, to leave the dark so we could follow you more closely and freely. AMEN. Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II, Parokya ng San Juan Apostol at Ebanghelista, Gov. F. Halili Ave., Bagbaguin, Sta. Maria, Bulacan 3022.

*Photo from Google: the famous painting by Caravaggio and the favorite of Pope Francis on the call of Matthew hanging at the Contarelli Chapel of San Luigi Francesci in Rome. Caravaggio is famous for his play of light and shadows.

Loving Much

The Lord Is My Chef Breakfast Recipe-Prayer

Thursday//20September2018//Week XXIV//Year II

1 Corinthians 15:1-11///Luke 7:36-50

Dearest Lord Jesus Christ,

On this feast of South Korea’s first priest-saint Andrew Kim Taegon and companions, I praise and thank you for your immense love expressed in forgiving my many sins.

In your mercy, my sinful moments have become my deepest religious experiences too. Whenever I find myself in grave sin, full of shame that I could not even call your name, you are always there – lovingly, patiently waiting for me. Silently and very kindly, welcoming me to come near you even if I have not told you “I am sorry” or “please forgive me.”

You know me so well, and that’s the most amazing thing – that you still love me!

Like that woman in Simon’s house you have allowed to come to you, to cry at your feet and wipe them dry with her hair, kissing them and anointing them with ointment (Lk. 7: 37-38), you just sat there, full of gentleness and mercy. Though you knew who she was and, most especially of how the people there judged and condemned her, you remained silent. But when you finally spoke out loud, your words were unbelievable: “Your sins are forgiven.” (Lk.7:48)

So wonderful, O Lord, of you reminding me always to strive harder to love and serve you among others because when I recall my many sins and feel shameful, that is also when I must feel grateful to you like Paul and that sinful woman.

Teach me, Lord Jesus, to love much because much was forgiven of me, first by forgiving those who have hurt me so I could give them all the chances you have given me.AMEN. Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II, Parokya ng San Juan Apostol at Ebanghelista, Gov. F. Halili Ave., Bagbaguin, Sta. Maria, Bulacan 3022.

Photo courtesy of Mr. Raffy Tima of GMANews, Batanes After Typhoon Ompong, 18 September 2018. Used with his permission.

The Way of Love, The Way of God

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The Lord Is My Chef Breakfast Recipe-Prayer

Wednesday//19 September 2018//Week XXIV//Year II

1 Corinthians 12:31-13:13///Luke 7:31-35

God our Father,

so often in your mystery we get lost and end up within our own, selfish selves.

We always have our own ideas and perceptions of who you really are.

We have become the truth and the only way of knowing you, of being with you.

Exactly what Jesus complained against the Pharisees and scribes:

“To what shall I compare the people of this generation? What are they like? They are like children who sit in the marketplace and call to one another, ‘We played the flute for you, but you did not dance. We sang a dirge, but you did not weep.’ For John the Baptist came neither eating food nor drinking wine, and you said, ‘He is possessed by a demon.’ The Son of Man came eating and drinking and you said, ‘Look, he is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’”(Lk.7:31-34)

And there are so many instances of how we insist on who you really are, refusing to take you as you are, as you reveal yourself to us in many different ways.

We have become the yardstick not only of what is good but even of you, our Lord.

Give us the grace to know and realize like St. Paul that no matter how great are we in speaking and doing things, if we do not love, we are nothing.

LOVE is the only way to know you and to be with you.

LOVE makes us known that we belong to you.

AMEN.Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II, Parokya ng San Juan Apostol at Ebanghelista, Gov. F. Halili Ave., Bagbaguin, Sta. Maria, Bulacan 3022.

Photo by the author, St. Paul Retreat and Spirituality Center, La Trinidad, Benguet, 18 July 2017.

Being One In Jesus Christ

The Lord Is My Chef Breakfast Recipe-Prayer

Tuesday//18 September 2018//Week XXIV//Year II

1 Corinthians 12:12-14, 27-31///Luke 7:11-17

Dear God in heaven, we always call you “our Father” but we never really live as brothers and sisters. Everywhere there is always separation and worst are the competitions among us. We could not see our being one family, as one body with many parts because we are so focused in our illusions of greatness and importance in the world. Everyone claims to be better than the other, forgetting that we need each other.

Rekindle in us again the “one Spirit we were all baptized into one Body in Christ” (1Cor. 12:13) as one people, the sheep of your flock (Ps.100:3).

Come and visit us again in your Son Jesus Christ. Restore us to life like that young man in Nain you raised from the dead to be reunited with one another. Let no color or status or belief separate us from one another so that we may be one in Jesus Christ your Son. Most of all, take away our illusions of greatness to make us see the reality that we are not complete in ourselves without you and others. Amen. Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II, Parokya ng San Juan Apostol at Ebanghelista, Gov. F. Halili Ave., Bagbaguin, Sta. Maria, Bulacan 3022. (Photo from Google.)

Jesus Christ Among Us

The Lord Is My Chef Breakfast Recipe-Prayer

Monday//17 September 2018//Week XXIV//Year II

1 Corinthians 11:17-26, 33///Luke 7:1-10

“Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof; but say the word and let my servant be healed.” (Lk.7:6, 7)

So often we pray – or, actually recite this to you, O Lord, without realizing its beautiful meaning just before the Holy Communion. Like the Corinthians being reprimanded today by St. Paul in our first reading, we have become so individualistic that in forgetting those around us we have also disregarded your presence in our midst especially in the Holy Eucharist.

How sad when we eat, we simply fill our body with food and drinks, forgetting our souls to be nourished by the stories shared by those we dine with. In this world of fast-food, we have lost the beautiful meaning of every meal, of being together and sharing not only food but ourselves with the persons seated with us. Sometimes, we do not mind eating alone for as long as we have our most honored guests at the table, our smartphone or tablet. Worst, we do not even pray to you at all, Lord, unmindful of your goodness while we are busy taking pictures of our food, almost worshipping it as a god!

As we start our new week of work and studies, let us heed St. Paul’s call that when we come together to eat, we wait for one another like that centurion in the gospel who loved his slave so much, inviting Jesus to heal him even from afar. Amen. Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II, Parokya ng San Juan Apostol at Ebanghelista, Gov. F. Halili Ave., Bagbaguin, Sta. Maria, Bulacan 3022.

Photo from Google, “Hapag ng Pag-Asa” painting by the late Joey Velasco.

The Uniqueness of the Cross

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The Lord Is My Chef Breakfast Recipe-Prayer

Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross, 14 September 2018

Numbers 21:4-9///Philippians 2:6-11///John 3:13-17

Our loving Father, today we celebrate the unique Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross.

It is so unique because when we come to think of it, how could two pieces of wood that are very ordinary things in life became the means to express to us your immense love through Jesus Christ’s sacrifice on the cross? It is so unique for how can two pieces of wood used to punish people now remind us of how you “so loved the world that you gave your only Son, so that he who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life (Jn.3:16)”?

In the cross is hidden the power of your love to transform us to better persons. In the cross is hidden the power to lead us closer to you with its vertical beam and to others with its horizontal beam. In the cross is the power of good if we choose to embrace it and be subjected to you in Christ Jesus as our Lord and Master.

What is most unique with the Cross, O God, is that underneath its ordinariness, that is where we see your glory and your majesty. Underneath the Cross of darkness and gloom, that is where we see glimpses of light and hope. And underneath the Cross of sufferings and death, we get to feel assured of the resurrection.

Give us the grace, O God, to always embrace the Cross like your Son Jesus Christ where we can all be empty of ourselves to be filled with your Spirit to make your love visible in us. Amen.Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II, Parokya ng San Juan Apostol at Ebanghelista, Gov. F. Halili Ave., Bagbaguin, Sta. Maria, Bulacan 3022.

Photo by the author, Fourth Sunday of Lent in our Parish, 11 March 2018.