Manalangin tayo…

Lawiswis ng Salita ni P. Nicanor F. Lalog II, Ika-28 ng Pebrero 2024

*Larawan kuha ni G. Red Santiago ng kanyang anak, Enero 2020, Bagbaguin, Sta. Maria, Bulacan.*

Pangunahing hiling ng mga tao sa aming mga pari ay panalangin, na sila ay ipagdasal sa kanilang iba’t-ibang mga pangangailangan. Ito ay dahil inaasahan – at dapat lamang – na kaming mga pari ay palaging nananalangin.

Kaugnay nito ay madalas din silang magtanong paanong magdasal at marami pang iba’t-ibang bagay ukol sa pananalangin. Kaya sa diwa ng panahon ng Kuwaresma kung kailan tayo hinihikayat linangin ating pananalangin, narito ilang mga pagmumuni-muni ko tungkol sa pagdarasal na aking napagtanto at natutunan mula nang pumasok ako ng seminaryo noong 1991 hanggang sa maging pari ng 1998 hanggang sa ngayon.

Una, walang maituturing na dalubhasa o eksperto sa pagdarasal. Tunay nga sinabi ni San Pablo, “tinutulungan tayo ng Espiritu sa ating kahinaan. Hindi tayo marunong manalangin nang wasto, kaya’t ang Espiritu ang lumuluhog para sa atin, sa paraang di magagawa ng pananalita” (Rom. 8:26).

*Larawan kuha ng may-akda, Our Lady of Fatima University, Valenzuela, Nobyembre 13, 2023.*

Kaya naman totoo kasabihang sa oras na ikaw ay nanalangin, sinagot na rin ng Diyos iyong mga dasal kasi ikaw ay nagdarasal. Kapag tayo nagdasal, tumugon tayo sa Diyos tawag niyang makaisa Siya. Noong kami ay high school sa seminaryo, iyon unang tinuro sa amin ni Fr. Danny Delos Reyes, aming Rektor: “Prayer is talking to God who has always been speaking to man.” Kaya sa oras na tayo ay nagdasal, purihin ang Panginoon dahil tumalima tayo sa Kanya!

Higit itong totoo kapag ating binabasa at pinagninilayan ang Kanyang mga salita sa Banal na Kasulatan. Sa Banal na Kasulatan, personal nakikipag-usap sa atin ang Diyos gamit ang salita ng tao. Kaya sino mang ibig na tunay lumalim sa buhay panalanign at buhay espiritwal, kinakailangang magkaroon ng personal na bibliya at daily bible guide upang masundan mga pagbasa. Sabi ni San Geronimo, ang kamangmangan sa Banal na Kasulatan ay kamangmangan kay Kristo.”

Ikalawang katotohanang nabatid ko sa pagdarasal ay kaugnay nito: hindi tayo ang susukat at susuri ng ating pananalangin kungdi Diyos. Madalas kasi maranasan natin lalo na sa mga nagsisimula pa lamang manalangin na ikumpara ating mga pagdarasal sa bawat araw kapag ating sinasabi “bakit dati madali at magaan pakiramdam ko”, “bakit ngayon parang hirap ako magdasal” o “parang walang saysay aking pananalangin”.

Hindi madaraan sa damdamin o feelings ang pagdarasal.

Malaking pagkakamali na akalain nating mga oras na tayo ay tuwang-tuwang o masarap ang pakiramdam sa pagdarasal ay tama at wasto ang pananalangin na samakatwid ay kinasihan ng Diyos ating pagdarasal. Hindi po totoo iyan.

Magugulat pa tayo na ang katotohanan ay kabaligtaran niyan dahil kung kailan tayo hirap magdasal, mas malamang naroong tunay ang Diyos! Sabi ng aking Heswitang Spiritual Director noon sa Cebu si Fr. Shea, The most difficult prayer period is actually the most meritorious. Kapag tayo ay dumaranas ng hirap sa pagdarasal na kung tawagin ay “spiritual dryness” na parang hindi tayo pansin ng Diyos o kaya hirap lumapit sa kanya, ito ay palatandaan ng paglalim sa pananalangin. At maaring tanda ng pagkilos ng Diyos na tayo ay inaakay sa mas matalik na ugnayan sa Kanya sa larangan ng pagdarasal.

*Larawan kuha ng may-akda, Oktubre 2022.*

Ikatlo, ang pananalangin ay pakikipag-isa sa Diyos o communion. Kaya hindi naman mahalaga masabi natin lahat ng ibig natin sa Diyos kungdi higit na mahalaga ay ating mapakinggan sinasabi sa atin ng Diyos.

Kaya tayo nagdarasal hindi upang humingi ng humingi sa Diyos ng kung anu-ano kungdi upang Siya ay makaisa, malaman kanyang kalooban para sa atin. Kung tutuusin, hindi na nating kailangan pang humingi sa Diyos ng kung anu-ano dahil alam na niya pangangailangan natin.

Sapagkat alam na ng inyong Ama ang inyong kinakailangan bago pa ninyo hingin sa kanya. Ganito kayo manalangin: “Ama naming nasa langit…”
Mateo 6:8-9

Samakatwid, ang pananalangin ay upang higit nating makamit ang Diyos mismo! Siya ang dapat nating hangarin palagi sa pagdarasal, hindi mga bagay.

Kapag mahal mo sino mang tao, palagi mo siyang kinakausap, sinasamahan upang makapiling. Siya ang ibig mo, hindi gamit o pera o kayamanan niya. Ganoon din sa pananalangin – kung mahal nating tunay ang Diyos, mananalangin tayo palagi sa kanya upang sa tuwina Siya ay makapiling.

*Larawan kuha ni Bb. JJ Jimeno sa Holy Sacrifice Parish, UP Diliman, QC, Mayo 2019.*

Ikaapat, ang mga bumabagabag sa ating pagdarasal ay hindi tukso mula sa demonyo kungdi mas malamang, mga tulong at gabay ng Espiritu Santo tungo sa higit na mabungang pagdarasal.

Napansin ko iyan noong dati na kapag ako ay bagabag o aligaga sa pagdarasal, kung anu-anong pumapasok sa aking isipan, kadalasan ang mga iyon ay isyu sa aking sarili na pilit ko iniiwasan o binabale-wala; sa pagdarasal, lumalantad mga iyon na tila baga sinasabi ng Diyos sa atin, harapin mga isyu natin sa sarili bago Siya matatagpuan.

Hindi istorbo ang pagsagi ng sino mang kaaway sa iyong pagdarasal kungdi paanyaya na ayusin inyong di pagkakaunawaan. Kung palaging laman ng iyong isipan ay kahalayan o karangayaan o ano pa man, ang mga iyan ay isyu na dapat mong pagdasalan upang maharap at malunasan.

Hindi nating mararanasan ang Diyos nang lubusan sa pagdarasal habang tayo ay puno ng maraming bara sa espiritu at kaluluwa tulad ng mga tao na mayroon tayong problema, mga nararamdamang poot at galit, kahalayan at iba pang mga pagnanasa. Alisin muna mga bara sa ating espritu at kaluluwa, maginhawang dadaloy biyaya ng Espiritu Santo sa ating sarili at buhay.

At ikalima, ang pananalangin ay disiplina. Dahil ang pagdarasal ay pagpapahayag ng ating ugnayan at relasyon sa Diyos, kailangan nating maging tapat sa pakikipagtagpo sa Kanya.

Tulad ng mga magsing-ibig, magkaroon ng regularidad na pakikipagtagpo sa Diyos sa panalangin. Huwag humanap ng panahon bagkus gumawa ng panahon gaya ng ating gawi sa mahal natin sa buhay. Iyon ang nawika ng lobo sa Little Prince na kung regular silang magtatagpo tuwing alas-4:00 ng hapon, alas-3:30 pa lamang ng hapon aniya ay mananabik na siya!

Nasa ating sarili kung anong oras tayo makapagdarasal. Ang mahalaga ay kaya nating pangatawanan ano mang oras ating itakda para sa Panginoon.

Pati ang lunan din ay mainam na regular. Napansin ko ito nang maging pari ako, ilang ulit ako bumalik sa Jesuit Retreat House sa Cebu kung saan kami nag-30 day retreat noong 1995 bago magthird year sa theology. Pinilit kong magdasal sa ibang bahagi ng retreat house na hinangad kong pagdasalan noon pero hindi ako napalagay. Ngunit nang manalangin ako sa dating mga lugar na kung saan ako nagdasal noong 1995, sadya namang “mabunga” ika nga sa ilang ulit na balik ko doon noong 2002, 2003 at 2004. Ganoon din karanasan ko nang lumipat ako sa Sacred Heart Novitiate sa Novaliches para sa taunang personal retreat ko mula 2015.

Alalaong-baga, mayroon tayong isang “Bethel” tulad ni Jacob kung saan nagpakilala sa kanya ang Diyos nang tumatakas siya noon sa kanyang kapatid na si Esau (Gen. 28:10-22) at naiman na manatali doon hanggat hindi tayo inaaya ng Panginoon sa ibang lugar.

Hangga’t maari tungkol sa lunan ng pananalangin, piliin yaong tahimik at angkop sa pagdarasal tulad ng simbahan o adoration chapel kung saan maaring magdasal sa harapan ng Santisimo Sakramento.

Bilang pangwakas, alalahaning palagi na personal nakikipag-ugnayan sa atin ang Diyos kaya personal din tayo tumugon sa Kanyang paanyayang makipag-ugnayan tulad ng ginagawa natin sa sino mang kapwa natin.

Sa lahat ng ugnayan mayroon tayo, bukod tanging ang sa Diyos ang pinakamabuti sa lahat dahil kailanman hindi Niya tayo iiwanan at tatalikuran. Diyos lang tanging nagmamahal sa atin ng tunay kaya binigay Niya sa Atin bugtong Niyang Anak na si Jesus na naglapit sa atin sa Kanya sa pamamagitan ng Espiritu Santo. Sana nakatulong mga ito sa inyong pagdarasal. Kung hindi naman, ay huwag nang pansinin. Sumulat kayo sa akin dito o sa aking email para sa karagdagang mga katanungan o paliwanag (lordmychef@gmail.com).

Patuloy manalangin at yumabong sa Panginoon natin! Amen.

Light a candle to pray better.

Quiet Storm by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II, 08 February 2024

*Photo by Irina Anastasiu on Pexels.com*

Last Friday was the Feast of the Presentation of Jesus to the Temple (February 2) also known as the Feast of the Candlemass wherein candles were blessed outside the church after which the people led by the priest enters to begin the Mass in a procession with lighted candles.

Candlemass is a beautiful celebration, especially when done properly by priests. Its origin dates back to more than 1500 years ago in France where it started when people incorporated the blessing of candles into the Feast of the Presentation then known with its Eastern title as “the Encounter” to refer to how Simeon with the Prophetess Anna met the child Jesus being offered by his parents Joseph and Mary to the temple 40 days after Christmas. According to St. Luke, Simeon sang the following upon meeting the child Jesus Christ.

*Presentation in the Temple painting by Fra Angelico from fineartamerica.com.*

“Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in sight of all the peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel.”
Luke 2:29-32

In proclaiming Jesus Christ as the “light” of salvation for the nations, the early French Christians thought of having the blessing of candles and procession of lighted candles to signify Jesus as the only and true light of the world. Thanks be to God for those pious early French Christians!

Though candles are no longer used as a major source of lighting in homes and other places, it is still used in almost all churches, monasteries and other houses of worship around the world, gaining a renewed popularity among the younger generation. It is a most welcomed development in our modern time as more and more people are rediscovering the need for spiritual growth of whatever label. And right in the midst of this is the candle as a tool for better prayer periods.

Unfortunately, this beautiful tradition of the candles is dying in our country. How ironic that we who belong to the Third World have switched to electric vigil lamps and candles while those in the First World still use the traditional candles in their homes and churches.

Go abroad like in North America and Europe, one finds a plethora of all kinds of beautiful candles used and sold even in the simplest churches and stores! During a Holy Land pilgrimage in the 2017 Easter Season, one of the things I appreciated and admired next to the pilgrim sites were the lovely and regal designs of paschal candles in the churches we visited that made me wonder why nobody makes them here in our predominantly Catholic country.

Candles have always have a special place in the life of our faith and the Church since its early beginnings. From the Latin words candere and candela that mean “to shine”, it evolved into the Middle and Old English words candele and candel.

Aside from lighting the gatherings of the early Christians especially in the catacombs to evade arrests during the persecution, candles have always been used to signify Christ as the light of the world guiding our paths as Christians in every celebration, from Baptism to Weddings and Funerals.

Candles do not only make rooms shine but most especially the souls and the hearts of those who cultivate a prayer life. It has that unique warmth that can soothe and calm those who are agitated or worried with life’s many trials and challenges.

Every time we light a candle during prayer periods, our inner selves are made brighter as they evoke in us so much feelings of the Divine presence. Their little lights that flicker remind us of our feeble selves whose life could be easily snuffed out with a single blow.

The scent of burning candle permeates our senses, calming us within, inviting us to leave all our worries in life as we lay our cards out in the open to God. A candles warmth can dissolve every hardness within us, purifying us within and becoming empty and open for God’s grace to work in us.

In a sense, candles may be considered as a sacrament too which is defined as a visible sign with invisible power.

The very act of lighting a candle is already the start of prayer, something like the making of the sign of the Cross. I strongly recommend for those who wish to aid their prayer periods with candles to use matches not lighters that are artificial.

Lighting up a candle for prayer especially in the morning can rouse our senses. The striking of the match with its sudden burst of light to kindle the candle is like an angel had suddenly come down to assure us that our prayer is heard by God, that God is with us at the very moment or at least reminds us we have turned into the mode of praying.

The strong scent of the burning matchstick also adds flavor and aroma to the prayer period especially in the early morning when the whole world is still dark and everyone still asleep with you as the only one awake with God. Lighting a candle first thing first upon waking up can help us avoid from getting our cellphones or turning on the radio or the TV. A lighted candle can prevent us from being distracted by these modern gadgets that keep us away from God and from one another.

*My altar with lighted candle at night; see the candle snuffer at the foreground.*

Lighting a candle during a prayer period in our room or home works like the candlelight dinner that sets us to a lovely communion with God our beloved. The slow burning of a candle reminds us even in our busiest morning that we are at prayer in the presence of God, that we need to slow down too in our lives, to be conscious of our selves, surroundings and time so we can set our sights to God alone like a beloved in a candlelight dinner date.

At night time, the sight of the candle burning in one’s room is most dramatic as we close the day. Actually, it is during night time that the Church prays the Canticle of Simeon.

Imagine that scene at the temple when Simeon sang as he held the Child Jesus in his arms – of his readiness to die, to go in peace, after seeing Christ the light of salvation. In the darkness of the night punctuated only by a burning candle, we are able to examine our hearts of the many things we have done and failed to do the whole day. These become clearer in the light of the candle that penetrates our hearts and conscience, piercing and rending our souls to remove the darkness within us, exposing the festering anger or bitterness and sadness hiding inside, melting them away with its warmth so we may go to sleep clean and ready to continue with life – here or hereafter like Simeon.

*By Kay Bratt in Facebook, 13 December 2023.*

One last note about candles as we end this reflection. Monks use a candle snuffer in extinguishing candles in their chapels and monasteries. These are long metal instruments with tips like a bell that monks hover above a candle, slowly covering it until its light is snuffed out, hence, the name candle snuffer.

If you want to be serious in praying better with lighted candles, you may buy those small candle snuffers for home use available at some candle shops in the malls. If there is no candle snuffer, one may use the cover of the candle to snuff out the light. What is important is that as we close our prayers with the lighted candle as companion, we don’t simply blow its light to abruptly end its glow.

When blowing the candle used in prayer, do it slowly as if you are whispering. Do it with solemnity. Every candle used at prayer becomes blessed, demanding some sort of reverence as companions in our prayer life and journey. Of course, it would be good if you can have your candles blessed by the priest for use at home to ward off negative vibes but more important than that is we grow in our prayer life, we become like lighted candles who give light to others in Christ. Like our candles, we also become a prayer to God in our very selves. Amen. Have a blessed Thursday.

Call waiting

The Lord Is My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II
Wednesday in the First Week of Ordinary Time, 10 January 2024
1 Samuel 3:1-10,19-20 <*[[[[>< + ><]]]]*> Mark 1:29-39

Dearest God our Father:
I find it so funny these days
we have that feature in our phones
"call waiting" - when we can identify 
whoever is calling us, giving us
the easy choice to answer it
or not; if we have missed a call,
we still have a chance to call back
to return a missed call; 
with "call waiting", 
we cannot actually miss
a call. 
Ideally. 
Supposed to be.

But we not only ignore calls of
friends and relatives;
worst of all, 
we refuse 
answering your calls!

During the time young Samuel was minister to the Lord under Eli, a revelation of the Lord was uncommon and vision infrequent… Samuel grew up, and the Lord was with him, not permitting any word of his to be without effect.
1 Samuel 3:1, 20

How interesting the author
noted that "revelation of the Lord
was uncommon and vision infrequent"
during that time of Eli as your priest;
most likely reason was nobody
was listening to you at all
until Samuel came.

Teach us, dear Jesus,
to never keep you waiting
for us in answering your calls;
like the brothers Peter and Andrew,
James and John
that we immediately speak to you,
most of all always listen to you.

This 2024,
let us not keep you waiting in
answering your call
for you never missed our calls;
let me be patient, O Lord,
in awaiting your words,
your calls
so that like Samuel
when we speak,
our words have effect
because we speak your
words alone.
Amen.

Advent is going back to God, our life

The Lord Is My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II
Wednesday in the First Week of Advent, 06 December 2023
Isaiah 25:6-10 ><))))*> + ><))))*> + ><))))*> Matthew 15:29-37

*Photo by author, St. Scholastica Retreat House, Baguio City, 23 August 2023.*

God our loving Father,
may we go back to you our very life;
forgive us who have easily forgotten
you especially after these difficult years of the pandemic;
now that COVID has waned and life is back to "normal",
we are back to our unholy ways.

May we always search you, Father, 
and dwell in you;
 destroy the “veil that veils all peoples, 
the web that is woven over all nations” (Is.25:7) 
that mislead and imprison us 
with false hopes in superficial relationships 
and materialistic briberies of this world.

Let us go "hungry and thirsty" 
to realize the most essential in life
 are you, dear God and the people who truly 
care for us and love us like our family and friends.

Like the crowd who have followed Jesus 
in the wilderness for three days 
with nothing to eat: 
they experienced advent, 
your coming, O God, 
when Jesus fed them 
after they were finally disposed 
to desire the longings 
of their soul than of their bodies; 
it was only then when Jesus fed them 
through the miraculous multiplication 
of the loaves of bread for the second time.

May the darkness and gloom 
that envelop us this season of Advent 
like the wars in Gaza and Ukraine
and other military show of force
by other nations and groups elsewhere,
the barbaric terror attack last Sunday in Marawi
and the frequent earthquakes we have been experiencing
along with our other personal crises 
dispose us to desiring you alone, 
God our Father, so we may finally enter 
your heavenly banquet in the Holy Eucharist
with “rich food and choice wines” (Is.25:6). Amen.

When we get our prayers wrong

The Lord Is My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II
Thursday in the Twenty-Seventh Week of Ordinary Time. Year I, 12 October 2023
Malachi 3:13-20 <*{{{{>< + ><}}}}*> Luke 11:5-13

*Photo by author, Laiya, San Juan, Batangas, 2022.*

Forgive us, Father,
when prayers confuse us
that we sin more against you
like those people mentioned 
by your prophet Malachi
in the first reading today:

You have said, “It is vain to serve God, and what do we profit by keeping his command, and going about in penitential dress in awe of the Lord of hosts? Rather must we call the proud blessed; for indeed evildoers prosper, and even tempt God with impunity.”
Malachi 3:14-15

Continue to teach us
more about prayer,
suffuse us in the light
of the Holy Spirit
so we may be more 
pliant and docile to
your will, loving Father;
empty us of our pride
and fill us with Jesus
so that we may 
know him more clearly,
love him more dearly,
and follow him more closely
daily.

Let us realize that
you alone, O God,
whom we must solely desire 
in our prayers that is
why we must persist
and persevere (Lk. 11:9-10)
because 
when we have you,
then we have everything!

May we keep in mind
that prayer is a relationship,
O Lord, not a transaction
to have things;
may we realize 
that prayer changes
the person
not the situation;
most of all,
prayer is more of 
listening to you
than of us speaking
for you listen always
to our pleas and
prayers; you are so good
and so loving,
God, that you want
only the best for us
we never realize
because we are so
occupied with ourselves
in prayer
not with you.
Amen.

Holiness is caring

The Lord Is My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II
Friday in the Twenty-first Week of Ordinary Time, Year I, 01 September 2023
1 Thessalonians 4:1-8 <'[[[[>< + ><]]]]'> Matthew 25:1-13

*Photo by author, Anvaya Cove, Morong, Bataan, June 2023.*

Thank you very much,
God our loving Father
for this brand new month
of September;
everybody is so happy
because it is the start
of the "-ber" months
leading to your Son's
birthday in December;
please, dear God,
forgive us for this
kind of thinking,
of being focused with
outside things, 
of everything "palabas"
with nothing inside, "paloob"
nothing substantial.

As we begin the month
of September which the
Holy Father has declared as
World Day of Prayer for the
Care of Creation,
may we heed the calls
of St. Paul to "conduct ourselves
to please you, God, and do so
even more" (1 Thess. 4:1)!

Yes, dear God,
you did not call us
to impurity but to holiness
(1 Thess. 4:7);
help us realize that holiness
is not being sinless but being
filled with your Spirit,
of finding you in every person
and in your creation so that
we care for them all!

Holiness is being caring,
holiness is being loving,
holiness is being wise,
always choosing You,
always choosing 
what is good.
Amen.

God in the “eye of the storm”

The Lord Is My Chef Sunday Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II
Sunday in the Nineteenth Week of Ordinary Time, Cycle A, 13 August 2023
1 Kings 19:9, 11-13 ><}}}}*> Romans 9:1-5 ><}}}}*> Matthew 14:22-33

*The well-defined eye at the center of the storm Hurricane Florence seen from the International Space Station taken by astronaut Alexander Gerst in 12 September 2018*, *https://www.nasa.gov/image-feature/staring-down-hurricane-florence*.

Our gospel this Sunday speaks of winds and storms, something we have experienced recently that brought so much rains and caused widespread floods even in Metro Manila.

Storms and typhoons are categorized by the winds they pack that induce the heavy rains which result in floods. At the center of every storm and typhoon is called the “eye” which is its most calm part without winds at all, even with clear skies; however, all the hazards and dangers of a storm come from the wall of that eye of the storm that is why we have the expression “lull in the storm” – that moment of calmness before suddenly everything breaks loose as the storm passes or pummels an area.

Our first reading and gospel today imply something about this “eye of the storm” where God is found, where Jesus comes. Both readings tell us that it is not really in the raging storm where we find God but right in that eye of the storm, the peace and stillness of our heart within.

*Photo by author, Katmon Nature Sanctuary & Beach Resort, Infanta, Quezon, 04 March 2023.*

In the first reading, God told Elijah to wait for him at the entrance of the cave as he fled from soldiers of Queen Jezebel out to kill him. First came a strong wind, followed by an earthquake, then, fire, but God was nowhere.

After these shattering events, Elijah found God in a “tiny whispering sound” that followed. What a beautiful imagery of the prophet deep in prayers! It was in his serenity, in his complete trust in the Lord – in the eye of a storm – that he found God and had to cover his face with a cloak as a sign of respect. Imagine the stormy condition of Elijah at that time, of being hunted.

Here we find again the importance of prayer life, the eye of the storm, our communion with God in Jesus Christ. It is in prayer where God first comes and reveals himself to us. More than the recitation of traditional prayers, prayer is being one with God, of wrestling with him in our inner selves that is always in turmoil, always with a storm that makes us choose whether to stay or to leave, to wait for God or go ahead with what we believe and think. Prayer is wrestling with God like Jacob because deep within us is always a storm and typhoon going on, with an eye as its center where God is, where Jesus walks on water to save us when like his apostles we are in the middle of a storm at the darkest hour of the night.

*Photo by author, sunrise at the Lake of Galilee, Israel, May 2017.*

When the disciples saw him walking on the sea they were terrified. “It is a ghost,” they said, and they cried out in fear. At once Jesus spoke to them, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.” Peter said to him in reply, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “come.” Peter got out the boat and began to walk on the water toward Jesus. But when he saw how strong the wind was he became frightened; and, beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” After they got into the boat, the wind died down. Those who were in the boat did him homage, saying, “Truly, you are the Son of God.”
Matthew 14:26-33

These two instances of Elijah in the cave and Jesus walking on water show us that God is always present in our lives. Whatever is happening around us does not determine God’s presence.

What matters most is that we pay attention to him alone in Jesus, our Emmanuel or God-is-with-us. Every time we cry out “where is God?”, it is us who have left him, it is us who have doubted like Peter who even in the middle of a storm was thinking more of himself than Jesus. See how doubtful was Peter that even after Jesus had identified himself by saying “It is I” which is actually “I AM” as God had called himself to Moses and the Israelites, he dared to say “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on water.” How funny that when Jesus gave in to his request, Peter sank because he still doubted the Lord. Just like us when we would dare God but when he plays our games, we chicken out, still unbelieving, still unconvinced.

Is it really God whom we are seeking especially in moments of storms in life?

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

If all we seek is fame, comfort and pleasure even amid the storms in life, paying attention only to our selves, we would surely miss the Lord who is always beside us. People, things, events can distract us and lead us astray at critical moments in life.

Hence, the need for us to remain focused in Jesus by looking right into the very “eye of our storm”, into what is disrupting us, seeking Christ like the psalmist in our responsorial psalm today who begged, “Lord let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation.”

In this age with so many storms of distractions outside us in a world on a 24/7 mode with almost everyone in his/her own world listening/watching to their playlists and podcasts with eyes stuck on their gadgets or stuck in their ears, do we make time to find our “eye of storm”, our center of peace and calmness where God is?

See how St. Paul in the second reading was tormented or tortured in himself because of his fellow Jews’ refusal to accept the good news that Jesus is their awaited Christ. It was a perfect storm within him that saddened him but never bothered him because he was focused with God and his mission. He had no qualms in bearing many sufferings and facing death because amid all the storms in his life, he had found Jesus. This focus on God is the reason why Jesus remained behind to pray that night when he told the Twelve to go ahead to the other side of the lake. This is the first time Matthew tells us Jesus was praying. Two things I wish to share with you regarding prayer life as the eye of our storms in life.

First, the most difficult prayer is always the most meritorious. Prayer is not about feelings nor of feeling good and light but in giving one’s self to God wholly that even if nothing seems to happen, we remain in God, with God. Desire only God in prayer, asking him for courage to find and follow Jesus. Like the apostles in the boat, true prayer happens when we feel abandoned and isolated, so far from God. It is in our many trials in life when we pray that we learn how strong and faithful are we in God’s grace!

Second, there are no distractions in prayer. I have realized that most often, the distractions we consider during prayer periods may actually be from God, not from the devil as we usually believed. Recall how Jesus forced the 12 to go ahead to the other side of the lake perhaps to test them and face their inner distractions and storms. The people, things, and events that distract us in our prayers are from God as reminders of the issues we have to face and resolve in life so we may see him clearly.

*12th century mosaic in the Cathedral of the Assumption in Monreale, Sicily of Jesus saving Peter. From https://orthodoxartsjournal.org/icon-carving-of-christ-pulling-st-peter-from-the-water/*.

Why do you see your enemies in your prayers? Maybe it is time to forgive them.

Why all these malicious thoughts happening during prayers? Maybe it is about time you stop watching porn and start respecting women as persons.

Why do our embarrassing moments keep on appearing in prayers? Maybe God wants us to forgive ourselves and move on with life.

They are not distractions but blessings that if we open ourselves to confront our inner storms, no strong wind from outside can topple us because we have Jesus inside us. Today is a Sunday. Go celebrate Mass in your parish. Forget all the noise and distractions you experience, be focused only on God. Find your eye of the storm in yourself and there you shall find God, loving you, comforting you, blessing you! Amen. Have a blessed week ahead.

The Eyes of the Lord

The Lord Is My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II
Wednesday in the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time, Year I, 12 July 2023
Genesis 41:55-57;42:5-7, 17-24 >> + << Matthew 10:1-7

*Phot by author, sunrise in Baguio City,* *12 July 2023.*

As we take a break on a brief rest today,
O God our Father, 
let me call to you
like the psalmist:
“Lord, let your mercy
be on us, as we place
our trust in you.”

*Photo by author, sunrise in Baguio City, 12 July 2023.*

Give thanks to the Lord on the harp;
with a ten-stringed lyre 
chant his praises.
Sing to him a new song;
pluck the strings skillfully,
with shouts of gladness.

… the plan of the Lord
stands forever;
the designs of his heart,
through all generations.

*Photo by author, breaking of dawn in Baguio City,* *12 July 2023.*

But see, the eyes of the Lord
are upon those who fear him,
upon those who hope for his kindness,
to deliver them from death
and preserve them in spite 
of famine.

*Photo by author at the Forest Lodge in Camp John Hay, Baguio City, 12 July 2023.*

Lord, we pray for those separated
from their family and loved ones,
by choice or by circumstances beyond
their controls;
we pray for those you send us
to proclaim “The Kingdom of heaven
is at hand.
Amen.