You are blessed

Lord My Chef Daily Recipe for Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II
Wednesday, Twenty-third Week in Ordinary Time, Year II
Memorial of St. Peter Claver, SJ, Priest, 09 September 2026
1 Corinthians 7:25-31 <*((((>< + ><))))*> Luke 6:20-26
Photo by a friend from Swan Island Dahlia Farm, Canby, Oregon, 29 August 2026.
The rains have not stopped,
the sun remains hidden
and dark clouds continue
not only above us but even
in our lives these days;
many are so hard pressed
in life - displaced from homes
due to floods, some could not work
and earn with barely nothing to
keep them warm and fed
while others are depressed,
fearful, uncertain of what is next:

I pray for them all,
Jesus; speak to them
directly like today in
the gospel; let them hear,
move them and stir their hearts
to life and animation,
to realize they are loved
and cared for,
to never lose hope
in this life,
to let go of their past
sins and mistakes,
to simply not worry
and trust you
by being grateful
for your many blessings.

“Blessed are you who are poor, for the Kingdom of god is yours. Blessed are you who are now hungry, for you will be satistifed. Blessed are you who are now weeping, for you will laugh. Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude and insult you, and denounce your name as evil on account of the Son of Man” (Luke 6:20-22).

You are speaking directly
to each one of us, Jesus;
may those going through
difficulties these days
hear and feel your blessings,
Jesus;
it is hard and so difficult
to listen and accept
being called blessed
according to your gospel,
Jesus
because many of us are
going through it!
May your beatitudes
comfort us, dear Jesus,
find consolation in you
like your Jesuit Saint
Peter Claver
who offered his life
to those enslaved
in Colombia,
choosing to live among
those despised than among
those comfortable;
help me find blessedness
Jesus in solidarity with
those suffering,
for those in the margins,
for those forgotten
for those suffering in silence.
Amen.
Photo by a friend from Swan Island Dahlia Farm, Canby, Oregon, 29 August 2026.

“What Might Have Been” by Lou Pardini (1996)

The Lord Is My Chef Sunday Music by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II, 11 February 2024
Photo by Mr. Vigie Ongleo in Virginia, 02 February 2024.

It’s the final Sunday in Ordinary Time before we begin our 40-day journey of Lent this Ash Wednesday which falls on February 14th, Valentine’s Day. That is why we have chosen a music that is light and easy and romantic, though poignant about those big what ifs in life, What Might Have Been by Grammy-nominated Lou Pardini.

Co-written with jazz vocalist Ms. Kevyn Lettau, What Might Have Been is Pardini’s most popular song especially here in the Philippines and Asia that was included in his first solo album Live and Let Live released in 1996. Unknown to many, Pardini’s first composition ever recorded was also Smokey Robinson’s most popular song, Just To See Her released in 1987. It earned Robinson a Grammy while Pardini was nominated to a Grammy too for the composition. From 2009-2022, Pardini was the lead vocalist and keyboardist of Rock and Roll Hall of Fame band Chicago. He had collaborated too with almost major bands and vocalists in his career with some stints in Hollywood providing music in some movies and TV shows.

What Might Have Been tells us the story of a love lost and the resulting regrets by the singer. Most of all, it touches one of everyone’s favorite subject and theme or question in life: ”what might have been” our lives be had we made the right choices or have been better or wiser, perhaps more faithful or understanding?

Somewhere lost in the wind
I’m watching you
Sunlight touching your hair
And I remember
Somehow
We said that we would never stray
But somehow we lost our way
Promises to often spoken
Are easily broken apart
I’m ready this time
I know that I’m
No longer undecided
Don’t want to be a fool wondering…
… What might have been
Trace of forever lingering
Drawing me closer to you
A new beginning
Now I know
There is no doubt
I understand
Just how fragile love can be
I can’t forget
Your memory found me
Now I know where I belong…
I’m ready this time
I know that I’m
No longer undecided
Don’t want to be a fool wondering…
… What might have been

I love that last stanza saying, “I’m ready this time/I know that I’m/No longer undecided/Don’t want to be a fool wondering…/What might have been/.” We find this stanza so appropriate and close with the lessons of this Sunday’s gospel when a leper approached Jesus, knelt before him and begged, “If you wish, you can make me clean.” Moved with pity, Jesus stretched out his hand, touched him, and said to him, “I do will it. Be made clean” (Mk. 1:40-41). 

Many times in life, we are afraid of approaching the love of our life, even God, for so many reasons but later we find them not important at all. Worst, there were times the other person was just waiting for us to make the move or to approach her/him or them.

Jesus is passing by everyday in our lives, welcoming us even in our worst selves or situations like that leper (https://lordmychef.com/2024/02/10/approaching-jesus-approachable-like-jesus/). Let us approach him, go to him and express what’s deepest in our hearts no matter what these may be. Jesus loves us so much. He wants us to come to him and join him in his journey. Let us leave our comfort zones like our past with all of its mistakes and failures, pains and hurts to start anew in him again. It is Christ’s will too that we be better.

Like in that beautiful lines by Pardini, let us be ready this time, decide once and for all to come to Jesus and follow him instead of wondering what might have been. Don’t let this chance to pass again. Jesus is waiting for us. Have a lovely Sunday, friends!

From YouTube.com