Lord My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II Monday, Memorial of Sts. John Fisher & Thomas More, Martyrs, 22 June 2026 2 Kings 17:5-8, 13-15, 18 <*((((>< + ><))))*> Matthew 7:1-5
Photo by author, Malolos Cathedral, June 2019.
Teach us, O Lord, to pray and persevere like Sts. John Fisher and Thomas More to always have the same wisdom and courage to serve our country well by remaining your faithful servants first; in this world so advanced in science and technology, many have veered away from you, God our Father; we have come to worship so many idols: our bloated egos with all kinds of selfish thoughts and ideas we hide as rights and freedom; our body that we adore, more like vanity than health; other personalities we blindly follow and imitate; relationships and habits that take precedence over you, O Lord.
May the fall of Israel to Assyria in the first reading remind us today to always examine the "plank" in our eyes Jesus spoke of in the gospel, of how modern things may be blinding us, leading us away from you, God who is our life and meaning. Amen.
Photo by author, St. Michael Retreat House, Antipolo City, 16 June 2026.
Lord My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II Wednesday in the Eleventh Week of Ordinary Time, Year II, 17 June 2026 2 Kings 2:1, 16-14 ><))))*> + ><))))*> + ><))))*> Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18
Photo by author, St. Michael Retreat House, Antipolo City, 16 June 2026.
Your words today, O Lord, are lovely paradoxes expressed in the two readings: from the second book of Kings, you invite us to walk with Elijah and Elisha to experience both being a mentor and a student, a companion in life's journey, comfortable in conversation and silence, most especially in doing your will.
Elijah said to Elisha, “Please stay here; the Lord has sent me on to the Jordan.” As the Lord lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you,” Elisha replied (2Kings 2:6).
And that is how life is, people come like family and friends but eventually we part ways and in every separation, there remains God who keeps our bonds together, even getting stronger after death, the ultimate separation. Here you call us, Lord, to witness to others your loving presence as part of our mission, not for our own glory. May we have the same courage of Elisha to show to everyone your power not for personal gain but for mission to continue the works of Elijah.
But before we can go out witnessing your loving presence and power, dear Jesus, teach us first to remain hidden in doing what is right, what is just, and what is good as expressed in your gospel today; let us realize that despite life is now lived in social media, the more essential things in life are still and will remain best kept hidden; it is in that hiddenness where we must remain and stay like Elisha to truly witness your great power not for our own sake and vanity but for your mission and glory so that at the end of our daily journey, we may find you always, Lord Jesus, in every "Jordan" we cross like Elijah and Elisha. Amen.
Photo by author, sunset at the RISE Tower, Our Lady of Fatima University, Valenzuela City, 10 June 2026.
Lord My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II Tuesday, Tenth Week in Ordinary Time, Year II, 09 June 2026 1 Kings 17:7-16 ><)))*> + ><)))*> + ><)))*> Matthew 5:13-16
Photo by author, Taal Lake from St. Anthony de Padua Chapel, D’Alta Tagaytay, 02 June 2026.
God our loving Father, we thank you for the gift of this brand new day especially for our brothers and sisters in GenSan and other parts of Mindanao struck by a powerful quake yesterday; may this calamity bring out the best among us as we try to rebuild lives and cities anew.
Your words today, dear God speak about "bringing out" - when Elijah came to Zarephath, he asked your "designated widow" to bring out for him "a cupful of water to drink... along a bit of bread" while in the midst of a widespread drought.
She left and did as Elijah had said. She was able to eat for a year, and he and her son as well; the jar of flour did not go empty, nor the jug of oil run dry, as the Lord had foretold through Elijah (1 Kings 17:15-16).
Teach us to trust you more in Jesus Christ your Son who calls us today "salt of the earth" and "light of the world" - how lovely that both things are so commonly found in every home then and now that also do the same what the widow of Zarephath did in bringing out water and bread to Elijah; may we be like the salt that brings out the taste and flavor of food that brings delight and nourishment to everyone; likewise, may we be like the light that dispels darkness to bring out realities and things into sight.
God our loving Father, may we never lose the saltiness of the salt, the luminance of light we already have but have taken for granted, even traded for lesser things that have severely affected our relationships, work, and inner life; your Son Jesus Christ clearly called us to make our light "shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father" (Matthew 5:16).
May we be clarified always that being salt of the earth and light of the world is not self-promotion so common these days but God's glory exactly what Elijah and the widow of Zarephath did. Amen.
Photo by author, St. Anthony de Padua Chapel, D’Alta Tagaytay, 02 June 2026.
Lord My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II Friday, Eighth Week, Memorial of St. Paul VI, Pope, 29 May 2026 1 Peter 4:7-13 ><))))*> + ><))))*> + ><))))*> Mark 11:11-25
Photo by author, 05 May 2019, Jerusalem, Israel.
As we come to nearly closing the month of May, your Prince of Apostles, St. Peter leaves us with beautiful reminders so timely and appropriate in this period of darkness and evil:
Beloved: The end of all things is at hand. Therefore, be serious and sober-minded so that you will be able to pray. Above all, let your love for one another be intense, because love covers a multitude of sins (1Peter 4:7-8).
How lovely, how powerful, and so true are your words to us today through St. Peter: we are living at the end of all things and still, here we are living as if there is no end, as if there is no death, as if there is no judgment.
We have become so bad, so dismal is the world like that fig tree you have cursed, Lord Jesus: so delightful in the eyes but fruitless like us, especially the rich and powerful among us like our lawmakers and public officials so affluent, dressed in fineries without any benefit at all for the society they have abused; oh yes, even our church is like the temple of Jerusalem that has become a den of thieves than a house of prayer when priests and bishops are more concerned with money and clout, with self, leaving You Jesus trapped inside the Tabernacle.
Teach us conversion, Jesus: give us strength and will to turn away from evil, to closely examine our selves for all our sins when we have refused to love; love can truly cover a multitude of sins because when we truly love, that is when we turn away from sin, when we return to You, Jesus found in the least and taken for granted among us; may our love for You through one another be constant because wherever there is love, there is God; when there is love, there is no sin.
May we be witnesses of Your love dear Jesus in this world so wounded by sins and evil; like your servant Pope St. Paul VI, may we witness Your love in our daily lives caring for those in the margins, for those sufferings and especially for those who are weak. Amen.
Photo by author, May 2017, in Ein Karem, Israel near the Church of the Visitation.
Lord My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II Tuesday in the Fourth Week of Easter, 28 April 2026 Acts 11:19-26 ><]]]]'> + ><]]]]'> + ><]]]]'> John 10:22-30
Photo by author, Fatih Square, Istanbul, Turkiye, November 2025.
Easter is about movements: of moving in Jesus, moving with Jesus, moving to Jesus.
Those who had been scattered by the persecution that arose because of Stephen went as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to no one but Jews. There were some Cypriots and Cyrenians among them, however, who came to Antioch and began to speak to the Greeks as well, proclaiming the Lord Jesus. The hand of the Lord was with them and great number who believed turned to the Lord (Acts 11:19-21).
How lovely, dear Jesus to hear that despite the fears due to the martyrdom of Stephen in Jerusalem, your disciples moved north to Antioch now part of Turkiye not to hide but to proclaim your good news!
Strengthen my faith in you, Jesus that when things get tough, when the Gospel is challenged and dismissed, let me move boldly in upholding your message of truth of a loving God we call Father calling us to a life of holiness and freedom from sin and evil.
Photo by author, St. Anthony de Padua Church, Taksim Square, Istanbul, Turkiye, November 2025.
Let me move in your Spirit, dear Jesus like Barnabas filled with joy not suspicion, encouraging others to remain faithful in your teachings; most of all, let me move in compassion and brotherly love like Barnabas to search for those shy and ashamed of their sinful past like Saul who later came to be known as Paul; may our movements be more of gathering than scattering to unite and bring together other believers as one body, one community witnessing your gospel that others may know us your disciples, Christians like in Antioch.
In this world with so many voices shouting and screaming for our attention to be famous, to be rich, to be powerful, teach us to be silent to distinguish your voice and call, Lord Jesus, our Good Shepherd whom we must follow in poverty, simplicity, and humility. Amen.
Photo by author, Bosphorus River cruise, Istanbul, Turkiye, November 2025.
Lord My Chef Sunday Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle A, 08 February 2026 Isaiah 58:7-10 ><}}}}*> 1 Corinthians 2:1-5 ><}}}}*> Matthew 5:13-16
Photo by author, Carmelite Monastery, Guiguinto, Bulacan, 22 January 2026.
We continue today Jesus Christ’s Sermon on the Mount that started last Sunday when he called “Blessed” are the poor in spirt, those who mourn, the meek, the hungry and thirsty for righteousness, the merciful, the clean of heart, the peacemakers, those persecuted and insulted falsely.
These blessed ones are not different kinds of persons but every disciple of Jesus Christ who is the truly Blessed One who is poor and meek, hungry and thirsty, merciful and clean of heart. Blessedness is an inner disposition, a being than doing.
And so this Sunday, Jesus reminds his disciples that include us today, of our dignity and responsibility in being blessed, as if telling us, “Blessed are you… You are the salt of the earth… You are the light of the world.”
We whom Jesus called “blessed” already possess the kingdom but in a hidden manner; that is why we as his disciples must make it shine upon the world in our lives, in our witnessing especially in this age that has turned away from God and holiness.
Jesus said to his disciples: “You are the salt of the earth… You are the light of the world. A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket; it is set on a lampstand, where it gives light to all in the house. Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father” (Matthew 5:13, 14-16).
Last February two we celebrated the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord at the Temple that is also known as Candlemass or Candelaria where Simeon recognized the Child Jesus as the “light of the nations”.
It is one of the beautiful feasts we have with the blessing and lighting of candles outside the church; then, led by the priest, the people enter the church with lighted candles to signify Jesus Christ as our only light and fulfillment in this life.
Jesus asserts that this Sunday. The Bible itself teems with so many references of God being the source of light with Israel as bearer of that light. This explains our first reading today from the Prophet Isaiah:
Then your light shall break forth like the dawn, and your wound shall quickly be healed; your vindication shall go before you, and the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard. Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer, you shall cry for help, and he will say: Here I am! If you remove from your midst oppression, false accusations and malicious speech; if you bestow your bread on the hungry and satisfy the afflicted; then light shall rise for you in the darkness, and the gloom shall become for you like midday” (Isaiah 58:8-10).
So beautiful! And what a prophecy fulfilled in Christ that continues to happen today among us, his blessed ones as disciples!
To be a Christian especially nowadays is to be the bearer of the light of Christ, to illumine the darkness among us especially in this world that has become so fascinated with artificial lights like studio lights that emphasize and focus on men and women, on their fame and glory and wealth. How ironic that the more artificial lights we flood the world these days, the darker life becomes with more crimes, more abuses, and more emptiness and meaninglessness within us.
Photo by author, Mt. St. Paul ?Retreat House, La Trinidad, Benguet, January 2025.
Bringing the light of Christ, sharing his light is being holy, being good, being a blessed one, doing what is right, what is true, what is good as Isaiah reminded the people in the first reading.
Bringing the light of Christ, sharing his light is sharing Jesus to the world that we become the God’s answer to the cries and pleas of his people for mercy and justice, for healing and comfort.
Hence, bringing the light of Christ, sharing his light is actually to bring out Jesus within us who had come to us sacramentally in Baptism and continues to come to us in the Sacraments especially the Holy Eucharist we celebrate on Sundays.
Problem is we keep on hiding Jesus within us. This is why he calls us not to hide him like a lamp placed under a bushel basket but let him be like a lampstand that illumines the house.
We are the light of Jesus Christ who shines before others with our good deeds that make God known to others. Not the other way around. Young people call them as “performative” like performative couple, performative student or performative employee. They are all performance, all for the show or the content. Puro palabas, walang paloob kaya walang laman. These are the very ones that Jesus warned to “take care not to perform righteous deeds in order that people may see them” (Mt. 6:1) which we shall hear soon in Lent.
How sad that many people today have become “performative” – pakitang-tao as we say in Filipino who would go to great extent of publicizing everything they say and do like many of the so-called content creators and vloggers. This is most painfully true in the Church of priests and laypeople posting in social media everything they do or “perform” that are always empty of meaning and any sense at all.
Bringing the light of Christ, sharing his light always leads to God’s glory, not to us humans.
Let us keep in our hearts the words of St. Paul today in our second reading:
When I came to you, brothers and sisters, proclaiming the mystery of God, I did not come with sublimity of words or of wisdom. For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ, and him crucified (1 Corinthians 2:1-2).
Photo by Architect Philip C. Santiago, Basilica of the Annunciation, Nazareth, Israel, October 2025.
Being the light of Christ in the world is to bring Jesus Christ himself, not ourselves. It is being one in Jesus in his Cross where there is more of inner fulfillment and joy than mere success and happiness.
Being the light of Christ in the world is more than having all those quotable quotes and lofty proses and poetry nor of those grand plans and visions and programs left on paper but never materialized in reality.
Bringing the light of Christ in the world is being wounded and scarred by the Cross, always fading from the light so that only Jesus remains.
Like John the Baptist his Precursor, may his words be our prayer always: “Jesus must increase and I must decrease. Amen. Have an enlightening and illumining week ahead brothers and sisters in Christ!
Lord My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II Thursday, Memorial of St. Agatha, Virgin & Martyr, 05 February 2026 1 Kings 2:1-4, 10-12 <*((((>< + ><))))*> Mark 6:7-13
Photo by author, Taiwan, 15 February 2019.
Thank you, dear God our loving Father for the gift of freedom we often misinterpret as doing whatever pleases us; the prophets and kings of Old Testament like David before his death reminded everyone to remain faithful to you, O God, to always choose you and your ways and commandments but since then until now, we abuse our freedom and still refuse to choose what is good, refusing to follow and obey you, O God.
When the time of David’s death drew near, he gave these instructions to his son Solomon: “I am going the way of all flesh. Take courage and be a man. Keep the mandate of the Lord, your God, following his ways and observing his statutes, commands, ordinances, and decrees as they are written in the law of Moses, that you may succeed in whatever you do, wherever you turn, and the Lord may fulfill the promise he made on my behalf….” (1 Kings 2:1-4).
We know what happened with Solomon and the rest of all their kings with a few exceptions: they all turned away from you, O God that disaster fell on them not as your punishment but as consequences of their abuse of freedom; teach us in Jesus Christ who had come to show us the way to true freedom by choosing you, O God, doing your will, doing and being good by being faithful.
How wonderful, O God, that despite our abuse of freedom, you have remained faithful to us, loving us, forgiving us like King David, and still calling us to follow you in Christ Jesus; let us trust you more by choosing you and your ways, letting go of our baggage and other false securities so we can travel light and preach effectively, totally free and faithful to you through others.
Through the intercession of St. Agatha who witnessed Christ and his gospel at a very young age, may we have the courage to remain true to your call and teachings. Amen.
Photo by author, Mt. St. Paul Retreat House, La Trinidad, Benguet, February 2020.
Lord My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II Monday, Memorial of Sts. Timothy and Titus, 26 January 2026 2 Timothy 1:1-8 <*{{{{>< + ><}}}}*> Mark 3:22-30
Photo by author, Carmel of the Holy Family Monastery, Guiguinto, Bulacan, 23 January 2026.
Let me not be ashamed of witnessing, of testifying for you, Lord Jesus Christ; let me not be ashamed of you, Jesus in this time when things of God and of virtues and holiness are looked down upon as old fashioned, so conservative, fill me with your "grace, mercy, and peace", Lord like what St. Paul prayed for his disciple Timothy.
For this reason, I remind you to stir into flame the gift of God that you have through the imposition of my hands. For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice but rather of power and love and self-control. So do not be ashamed of your testimony to our Lord…(2 Timothy 1:6-8).
As I prayed St. Paul's letter to Timothy, I felt as if those very words were spoken too to me by you, Jesus - thank you so much, Lord! I feel shy but so encouraged too because indeed everything we have is a pure grace from you, Jesus; even our calling is a gift you have freely given us, Jesus; that is why, grant me the courage not to be ashamed to proclaim your truth always; grant me the courage not to be ashamed to witness your love and mercy and justice with others especially those with less in life. Amen.
Photo by author, Carmel of the Holy Family Monastery, Guiguinto, Bulacan, 23 January 2026.
Lord My Chef Simbang Gabi Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II Monday, Simbang Gabi-VII, 22 December 2025 1 Samuel 1:24-28 <*((((>< + ><))))*> Luke 1:46-56
Photo by author, Church of Visitation, Ein-Karem, Israel, 2017.
One of the most beautiful and touching sites in the Holy Land I have always loved is the Church of the Visitation at Ein-Karem outside Jerusalem where Mary visited her cousin Elizabeth.
It sits atop of a hill and there’s no other way to get there except by foot due to the narrow road but, it is worth all the effort for anyone going up there with the beautiful scenes all the way with cool breeze soothing your face and lovely flowers delighting your eyes and senses. It somehow gives every pilgrim a taste of the great love and joy of Mary pregnant with out Lord Jesus Christ visiting her cousin Elizabeth on the sixth month of her pregnancy with John the Baptist.
Photo by Ar. Philip Santiago, Church of Visitation, the Holy Land, October 2025.
Perhaps we could say the Visitation was the first Christmas party in history as Luke tells us today how Mary rejoiced in God singing the Magnificat after Elizabeth praised her:
“My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my savior. For he has looked upon his lowly servant. From this day, all generations will call me blessed: the Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his Name. He has mercy on those who fear him in every generation. He has shown the strength of his arm, and has scattered the proud in their conceit. He has cast down the mighty from their thrones and has lifted up the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. He has come to the help of servant Israel, for he has remembered his promise of mercy, the promise he made to our fathers, to Abraham and to his children forever” (Luke 1:46-55).
Aside from this beautiful bronze statues of Mary and Elizabeth at the patio of the Church of the Visitation are the translations of the Magnificat in different languages, including in our very own Filipino which is one of the most popular songs we often sing in our Masses.
Photo by Ar. Philip Santiago, Church of Visitation, the Holy Land, October 2025.
But, do we really realize the meaning of this song of Mary?
Actually, the Magnificat was composed by Luke that he placed on the lips of Mama Mary. It is part of his artistry, of putting songs on the lips of some of his Christmas characters like Zechariah after John’s circumcision (the Benedictus) and later on Simeon (Nunc Dimittis) at the Presentation of Jesus in the temple.
Why? Because singing, like dancing, is the highest expression of our feelings to the one we love. Mothers sing lullabies to their infants, suitors compose and sing songs to their beloved, and we Filipinos sing and dance in whatever mood we are wherever we may be! There is always music in us from the simple gesture of washing the dishes, ironing of clothes to driving and taking a shower. When we sing and dance, we not only show what’s inside us but most of all who we are!
Photo by Ar. Philip Santiago, Church of Visitation, the Holy Land, October 2025.
In singing the Magnificat which St. Luke patterned after a similar song by Hannah at the birth of her son the Prophet Samuel who’s story we heard in the first reading, Mother Mary expressed her joy and gratitude in the nearness of God among us not only with the coming birth of her Son Jesus Christ but also through her!
The late Fr. Raymond Brown, one of the great biblical scholars of our time noted in his classic “Birth of the Messiah” that Mary as the first Christian is teaching us in her Magnificat the essential task of every disciple of the Lord which is, after hearing the word of God and accepting it, we must share it with others, not by simply repeating it but by interpreting it so that people can see it truly as the good news.
Here we wish to mention something we have read recently about singing and dancing that the best singer or best dancer is one who can listen or hear – and fill the silent gaps in every piece of music. That’s amazing because singing and dancing are not about having super beautiful voice or precise steps. Singing and dancing are more of attitude, of claiming and owning a piece of music as yours. That’s why it is called an interpretation or as young people these days refer to as “cover”.
As we have mentioned earlier, one of the most popular Mass songs in the country is Mary’s Magnificat called Ang Puso Ko’y Nagpupuri but does it reflect our spirituality as a Christian nation?
Photo by Ar. Philip Santiago, Church of Visitation, the Holy Land, October 2025.
Have you noticed how this 2025 that we heard so little of Mr. Jose Mari Chan his Christmas in Our Hearts?
I feel sorry for Mr. Chan when suddenly this 2025 he is more heard and seen in the McDonald’s commercial shouting “George!” to a fellow senior citizen. We as a nation momentarily forgot about Mr. Chan’s classic line “whenever I see girls and boys selling lanterns” because we as a nation is so disgusted with the ghost project scams of flood controls. We could not even emphatize with the family of the former Undesecretary of DPWH who had died of an apparent suicide because of the “breadth and depth and height” of their corruption running into trillions of pesos. They have cheated on us big time and we really wonder why the big “congtractors” and senators are not yet in jail?
But God has been so good to us this Christmas that we can all sing with conviction the Magnificat for indeed, “the Almighty has done great things for us” like putting into jail in a far away land the former president who called God as stupid not once nor twice but multiple times on television. That is aside from ordering the bloodiest anti-drug campaign he shamelessly likened to Hitler’s Holocaust of Jews in World War II.
The Lord invites us to make this 2025 as the last Christmas we allow corrupt and inept people get elected, that we finally put an end to political dynasty, and stop the stupidity and callousness of people in government who set a budget of 500pesos for people to enjoy noche buena.
Photo by Ar. Philip Santiago, Church of Visitation, the Holy Land, October 2025.
This Christmas let us sing like Mary, as faithful disciple of Christ, sharing Jesus, always Jesus and only Jesus in singing the Magnificat in our daily witnessing to the Gospel, making Jesus come in our life of loving service to everyone especially those in need. Let us actively cooperate with Jesus like Mary his Mother to make these lines a living reality in our midst – “he has mercy on those who fear him in every generation, showing the strength of his arm by scattering the proud in their conceit, casting down the mighty from their thrones, lifting up the lowly, filling the hungry with good things, sending the rich away empty, coming to the help of Israel, for he has remembered his promise of mercy”.
More than a song and hymn, the Magnificat reveals us as the signs of the Christ, the Emmanuel, God-is-with-us! Amen. A blessed week ahead of everyone!
Lord My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II Friday, Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Principal Patroness of the Philippines 12 December 2025 Zechariah 2:14-17 <*{{{{>< + ><}}}}*> Luke 1:39-47
What a joy for us, to have you, O Most Blessed Virgin Mary as our Mother too courtesy of your Son our Lord Jesus Christ; you first welcomed and received him was also the first to share him with others like her cousin Elizabeth pregnant with his precursor John the Baptist; as the Mother of God, you never had the season of Advent itself for you were an Advent in yourself carrying the Christ, sharing the Christ! And your advent never stopped.
Sing and rejoice, O daughter Zion! See, I am coming to dwell among you, says the Lord. silence, all mankind, in the presence of the Lord! For he stirs forth from his holy dwelling (Zechariah 2:14, 17).
How quick were you O Blessed Mother to appear in the New World at that great period of discoveries, appearing in Guadalupe, Mexico to San Juan Diego proclaiming, sharing Jesus Christ in their midst; you must be so lovely and most kind indeed that they welcomed Jesus through you you right away in Guadalupe!
Help us to imitate you, O Blessed Virgin of Guadalupe of being an advent of Christ in this modern age so detached from God, so impersonal, so relativistic and materialistic; teach us to be like you, O Blessed Virgin of Guadalupe, always humble and simple, one with us, looking like us, walking with us in our own time and milieu, carrying Jesus, sharing Jesus, showing Jesus. Amen.
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