Lord My Chef Daily Recipe for Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II
Friday, Twenty-third Week in Ordinary Time, Year II, 11 September 2026
1 Corinthians 9:16-19, 22-27     <*((((>< + ><))))*>     Luke 6:39-42

It has been twenty-five years,
Lord Jesus, 
when the beginning year 
of the new century
was marred by senseless deaths
from terrorist attacks in various
US cities; more than the images
are the indescribable 
pains and hurts 
that still remain not only among
friends and families of those
who have died but also
for the whole world
that has ever been more
in precarious situations
ever since; today, 
we are stunned by 
news from tech experts
of how AI could actually
wipe out the human race
in the next ten years
like in the movies?!

Twenty-five years into
the new millennium,
peace and fulfillment
remain elusive not only
for the world 
but for each of us humans
because we have gone astray
from you, O Lord;
we have worshipped the 
new gods of technology -
gadgets and social media
that leave us more empty
and lost and enslaved
by our endless wants
and make-believe realities.

Now more than ever
we need to imitate St. Paul,
to be with discipline,
with virtues and principles
not with algorithms:

Every athlete exercises discipline in every way. They do it to win a perishable crown, but we, an imperishable one. Thus, I do not run aimlessly; I do not fight as if I were shadowboxing. No, I drive my body and train it, for fear that, after having preached to others, I myself should be disqualified (1 Corinthians 9:25-27).

Teach us to be truly
your "disciples" -
followers, 
ones who follow,
ones with discipline
not whims nor impulses;
it is only with discipline
can we truly look and
confront our true selves
to become better persons
than seeing what's wrong
with others; teach us 
discipline, Jesus,
that we may strive 
to trust you more
and reach out to you
for help and grace because
we are weak in ourselves;
let our soul and heart
yearn only for you, 
Lord, for in you
we find true peace 
and fulfillment.
Amen.