The inner journey in Christ of St. James the Greater

Lord My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul, 25 July 2025
Friday, Feast of St. James the Greater, Apostle
2 Corinthians 4:7-15     <*{{{>< + ><}}}*>     Matthew 20:20-28

Something struck me while praying the gospel for today’s feast of St. James the Greater – of how his mother approached Jesus with a request for him and his brother James “that these two sons of mine sit, one at your right and the other at your left, in your Kingdom” (Mt. 20:21).

It must be a very interesting company that Jesus had organized during his ministry composed not only of the Twelve and other disciples but most likely with so many others too that included their families like the mother of James and John believed to be the beloved disciple of Jesus. Traditionally known as Salome, their mom could easily be the patroness of “stage mothers” that abound most especially in the Philippines!

But kidding aside, it must be wonderful to tag along with them in following Jesus where everyone is welcomed. It is a journey not meant to cover distances and places but actually an inner journey inside one’s self that we shall see in the life of James the Greater. It is a journey that begins right here in our heart when we too, like James leave everything to follow Jesus.

For astonishment at the catch of fish they had made seized him and all those with him, and likewise James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners of Simon. Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.” When they brought their boats to the shore, they left everything and followed him (Luke 5:9-11).

*Photo by author, San Juan, La Union, 26 July 2023.*

It must have been difficult for James to leave everything including their father Zebedee and follow Jesus. See that in the description by Luke of their call by Jesus, James and John as well as the brothers Simon and Andrew were all “rich kids” with their own fishing boats with hired men as workers at that time!

Clearly, money was not a problem with James and his buddies; however, one thing was missing in them – meaning and direction in life which they found in Jesus while listening to his preaching and finally in that miraculous catch of fish. I have always felt that perhaps, Zebedee allowed his two sons to leave him and their business for the same reasons so that they mature in life and be more responsible. We find this trace of attitudes or sense of entitlement in the brothers James and John when they asked Jesus to rain fire upon a Samaritan village that have refused them passage on their way to Jerusalem (Lk.9:54-56). Hence, Jesus named them as Boanerges for “sons of thunder” (Mk.3:17) due to their temperament.

In following Jesus, James had to learn the hard way the process of formation and transformation in Jesus that began in his heart. All along their journey from the shores of Galilee to Jerusalem, James remained by the side of Jesus Christ, probably unaware of that inner journey taking place right inside his heart to truly become a part of God’s Kingdom by sharing in the Lord’s Passion, Death and Resurrection. He had seen and experienced along with the other Apostles the great powers of Jesus not only in preaching but most especially in calming the storms, walking on sea, exorcising evil spirits, healing all kinds of sickness, and even raising to life some who have died.

Most of all, James was privileged to have witnessed along with his brother John and Peter the two important stops in Jesus Christ’s journey to the Calvary: first, on Mount Tabor for the Transfiguration and second, at Gethsemane for the agony in the garden. In both events in the life of our Lord, James was a privileged witness of his coming glory and then of his passion and death. Our gospel today on his Feast is sandwiched between these two major events of the Transfiguration and Agony in the Garden as this is set shortly before Palm Sunday when Jesus entered Jerusalem that led to his sacred pasch.

Jesus said in reply, “You do not know what you are asking. Can you drink the chalice that I am going to drink?” They said to him, “We can.” He replied, “My chalice you will indeed drink, but to sit at my right and at my left, this is not mine to give but if for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.” When the ten heard this, they became indignant of the two brothers. But Jesus summoned them and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and the great ones make their authority over them felt. But it shall not be also among you. Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave. Just so, the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give is life as a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:22-28).

*Painting by El Greco, “Pentecostes” (1597) from commons.wikimedia.org.*

It would only be after Easter and the Pentecost when all these major stops in James’ personal journey with Christ would become clear to him and the other Apostles. Eventually, he became the first Apostle to be martyred as Bishop of Jerusalem during the persecution by King Herod of Agrippa in 40 AD (Acts 12:1-2), fulfilling Christ’s words to him that he would indeed “drink from his chalice” to be with him in his Kingdom.

A thousand years later, devotion to James the Greater would spread far and wide in Spain after relics of his body were discovered in Santiago de Compostela. It is one of the world’s oldest and most popular pilgrimage site known as the Camino de Santiago de Compostela (the way of St. James).

Every year, pilgrims from all over the world do the camino from various points of Europe to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela where the Apostle’s body is buried as a spiritual hike or retreat and journey for spiritual growth.

Like James the Greater, the camino is more than the kilometers or miles covered but the journey within one’s self that leads to deeper faith in Christ by living out his gospel as portrayed in its marker and symbols of a staff and scroll of the gospel proclaimed by the Apostle .

*A marker along the camino de Santiago de Compostela.*

It is my fervent prayer that some day I will be able to do a camino de Santiago de Compostela but for the mean time, we strive to continue in following the steps of James the Greater in making that inner journey within one’s self, beginning in our heart by leaving our “boats” of security to remain always at the side of Christ even if he has to smoothen our rough edges as a person and cleanse us of our sins that prevent us in drinking his chalice to be one in his Kingdom. The key is to serve, not to be served as Jesus insisted.

Sometimes in life, we just have to make “sakay” as we used to say as in “sakay lang ng sakay” or “ride on, man, ride on” without really knowing where our trip would lead us.

James the Greater simply made “sakay” in Jesus without knowing Christ was already fulfilling his wish of “drinking from his chalice” which proved that, indeed, the longest journey in life is the distance between the mind and the heart (Dag Hammarskjold). Amen. Have a blessed weekend! Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II, Our Lady of Fatima University, Valenzuela City (lordmychef@gmail.com).

*All photos from Camino de Santiago de Compostela courtesy of Fr. Jigs Sta. Rita.

Thomas, our twin?

Lord My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul, 03 July 2025
Thursday, Feast of St. Thomas the Apostles
Ephesians 2:19-22     <*{{{{>< + ><}}}}*>     John 20:24-29

*Caravaggio’s painting “The Incredulity of St. Thomas” (1602) from en.wikipedia.org.*

Lord Jesus,
teach me to be like you -
so understanding,
so caring,
so loving
to those who are doubting
you like Thomas your Apostle;
poor Thomas -
he has been called "Doubting"
when the evangelists simply
referred to him as "Didymus"
or twin; however, it is so lovely
too to know that doubt and
certainty are like twins because
when we doubt,
the more we seek and find 
the truth which Thomas did.

When I think of my own faith
journey in you, Lord,
many times I was worst
than St. Thomas for I was not only
doubting you
but also hesitant in following you
because of fears and mistrust,
lack of confidence in my self,
and simply self-centered.
Could it be, Lord,
that in each one of us is 
Thomas our twin -
doubting,
hesitating,
indecisive,
in following you?

Now a week later his disciples were again inside and Thomas was with them. Jesus came, although the doors were locked, and stood in their midst and said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands, and bring your hand and put it into my side, and do not be unbelieving, but believe.” Thomas answered and said to him, “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:26-28).

How nice of you, 
Lord Jesus
to be so warm with Thomas
on that night 
when you appeared again;
instead of engaging Thomas 
into a debate or discussion,
you called him,
invited him to touch your wounds,
to feel your scars; 
what an incredible courage,
Lord Jesus 
to let us see and feel
closely your wounds,
to stare and look at your
sufferings, to remember and
imagine your lowest point in life
if only to show us that it is
the only way to glory;
many times, we are afraid
to admit even to ourselves
and to others our wounds and hurts,
preferring to keep them
even hide them
to keep our illusions
of greatness.

May we find 
the graces of
joy and warmth,
love and kindness
that fill our many wounds
in life as a result of our
following you, Lord Jesus
for it is in our woundedness
and hurts that we become 
"members of the household of God
who are built together to be
the dwelling place of God 
in the Spirit" (Ephesians 2:19, 22).
Amen.

Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II
Our Lady of Fatima University
Valenzuela City

Praying to encourage others

Lord My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II
Wednesday, Memorial of St. Barnabas, Apostle, 11 June 2025
Acts 11:21-26, 13:1-3 <*{{{{>< + ><}}}}*> Matthew 10:7-13

Rains have started to pour,
a good news to many
and a bad news too to many more
caught in jams, floods, and
the worst of situations
in life, especially at night.
We pray, dear Jesus
you send us more "Barnabas"
whom you sent to Antioch
where your followers were first called
Christians.

… and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he arrived and saw the grace of God, he rejoiced and encouraged them all to remain faithful to the Lord in firmness of heart, for he was a good man, filled with the Holy Spirit and faith… Then he went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he had found him he brought him to Antioch (Acts 11:22-24, 25-26).

On this memorial of your Apostle
Barnabas whose name
means "son of encouragement",
teach us to be like him
filled with the Holy Spirit
and faith in God,
searching for those in the worst
situations in life like Saul at that
time who was so ashamed
to join the disciples because of
his sinful past;
like Barnabas,
may we encourage others
to hope and look forward
to better days in Christ,
to trust in your mercy and
forgiveness,
to take every moment a chance
to be converted;
in this world that had shrunk
into a global village,
how sad that more and more
are getting discouraged
than encouraged
when we look more into the dark
dismal side of life than to its
brighter and even colorful and joyful
realities found in you, Lord,
the kingdom of God in our midst.
Amen.

*Photos by Ms. Ria De Vera in Delia, Alberta, Canada, 03 June 2025.

Bearers of light

The Lord Is My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II
Tuesday in the Twenty-third Week of Ordinary Time, Year II, 10 September 2024
1 Corinthians 6:1-11 <*[[[[>< + ><]]]]*> Luke 6:12-19

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

Thank you,
Lord Jesus Christ
for continuing to call us
to be your disciples
and apostles,
inviting us to get closer
with You like the Twelve
to share your light
first of all to our fellow
disciples and apostles 
who have lost their will
to burn.

Now indeed then it is, in any case, a failure on your part that you have lawsuits against one another. Why not rather put up with injustice? Why not rather let yourselves be cheated? Instead, you inflict injustice and cheat, and this to brothers. Do you not know that the unjust will not inherit the Kingdom of God? That is what some of you used to be; but now you have had yourselves washed , you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God (1 Corinthians 6:7-9, 11).

Forgive us, Lord Jesus,
when many times we live and
act like the Corinthian Christians
forgetting our new person in You
received in Baptism,
when we turn to the courts
to get justice that often terribly
end in bitterness and recriminations;
instead of bearing your light of
justice and mercy,
love and equality,
kindness and tenderness,
we resort to the ways of the world,
endlessly debating on technicalities
that we forget the person and the
wrongs and evil done;
let us return to you,
Jesus, the true Light of the world
to dispel the darkness of sin
and evil around us
by being your witnesses 
of the good news of salvation
as your new chosen people.
Amen.

Learning, following, sending… again. And again.

Homily, Baccalaureate Mass, College Students
Our Lady of Fatima University-Antipolo City, 10 July 2024

Our gospel today speaks so well of your graduation when “Jesus summoned his Twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits to drive them out and to cure every disease and even illness. The names of the Twelve Apostles are these…” (Matthew 10:1).

See how Matthew distinguished the Twelve: first, as disciples then as Apostles, a beautiful reminder to us all that first we learn and then we are sent out like you upon graduation.

“Disciple” is from the Latin word discipulos or follower which came from the verb discere, to learn. A follower or tagasunod in Filipino is a learner, someone who learns from a teacher. From it came also the word discipline; that is why, a disciplined person – one who is masunurin – is one who follows and obeys always not only persons but also the truths and new learnings he/she may have learned.

On the other hand, the word “apostle” is from the Greek apostolos which is to be sent forth. In the gospel, the Apostles are the Twelve members of Christ’s inner circle, those closest with Jesus. Though the gospel would always have that distinction between a disciple and an apostle, they are essentially inseparable because before one is sent forth, he/she has to be learned first. Therefore, every baptized person is both a disciple and an apostle, a learner of the Lord’s ways and teachings who is sent out to proclaim the Gospel to others in words and in deeds.

Every Christian is a disciple and an apostle with a special relationship with Jesus Christ.

That is most specially true with you, my dear Fatimanians, students and graduates of Our Lady of Fatima University here in Antipolo City.

*“The Exhortation to the Apostles” painting by James Tissot (ca.1886-1894) from commons.wikimedia.org.*

Being a disciple and an apostle is a continuous process of learning, following and sending.

Don’t ever think that graduation is the end of your studies. The more you get into your professional life, the more you must pursue learning to follow new trends in your fields of specialization as you are sent not only across the Philippines but even abroad, across the globe like most of our alumni.

Being a disciple and an apostle, learning and following and being sent, are more of the inside than of the outside. Remember that first lesson of the pencil: what is inside is most important, not the outside which today is given more importance and prominence especially in social media.

Puro palabas. All about the outside and externalities that are superficial like having the most likes, becoming viral and trending. It is all show which is what the word palabas means. Showbiz na show biz tayo pero walang laman.

When you look at the mirror like what the BINI would sing, “salamin, salamin…”, what do you see? Are you a reflection of a man or a woman of depth and meaning or one who is empty?

Learning is not about stacking information and data inside the brain like a computer; learning involves the education of the heart, of becoming “man as man himself” as we say here at OLFU. “To rise to the top” is not to rule over others but becoming “the glory of God in man fully alive”, reflecting our mottos Veritas et Misericordia.

As you leave the portals of our beloved alma mater, ask yourself: am I more loving and understanding with all the knowledge and learning I have gained after years of studies here at OLFU?

Education literally means “to lead out”… from darkness into light, from slavery into freedom, from ignorance into wisdom. St. Thomas Aquinas wrote that the more we gain knowledge, the more we become intelligent, the more we must become holy. A truly intelligent person is one who does what is good and avoids evil and sinful. But, why are we as a nation of so many graduates still kulelat in many aspects in life?

*From The Valenzuela Times, 02 July 2024.*

You must have seen that photo of our nursing student carrying on his back his girlfriend while crossing the flooded McArthur Highway in Valenzuela City last week.

At first I was so happy seeing that chivalry is still alive in this modern age; later that night, I felt disappointed and so sad when I saw the negative reactions. Most netizens clicked the LOL emoticons with others commenting the girl was OA, saying, sana nagholding hands na lang sila. At least some were honest enough to admit their jealousy, commenting sanaol!

Why the negative reaction these days when somebody does something good like sacrificing? Why do people seem to approve when we see videos and reels of wrongdoings and stupidities? Have we become a nation of delulu?

Even the words we use are being altered. I cannot understand why a girl is now spelled as gurl? Somebody asked me who is my bias among the lovely members of BINI; why say bias when you mean favorite?

Call me old and conservative but the trend these days seem to be rejoicing in what is negative and wrong and frowning at whatever is good and beautiful. Clearly it is not generation gap but more of a symptom of a sick society and generation, exactly like what Hosea mentioned in the first reading, of how people have turned away from God worshipping idols. Who and what are these modern idols we worship and follow these days? Do we still call on God our Father and to His Son Jesus Christ our Savior?

*Photo by author, Our Lady of Fatima University, Valenzuela City, 2023.*

If there is anything most important we must have learned in our university, it is the value of prayer, of opening to God like those three children at Fatima in 1917. See how the Blessed Mother, our Patroness, came to see and teach St. Francisco and his sister St. Jacinta Marto with their elder cousin Sr. Lucia for six consecutive months every 13th day to pray, do penance and celebrate the Mass.

It is my hope that you continue to pray the Rosary, you continue to celebrate Masses on Sundays after your graduation to always learn and follow Jesus who actually sends you to serve those most in need as nurses, medical technologists, pharmacists, accountants, and criminologists. Be the loving hands, the healing hands of Jesus Christ!

Remember what I have been telling you since I came here in Our Lady of Fatima University: even now that you are professionals, continue to study hard, work harder, and pray hardest. God bless you, dear graduates of 2024!

*From the cbcpnews.net, 13 May 2022, at the Parish of the National Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima, Valenzuela City.*

First we learn, then we are sent

The Lord Is My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II
Wednesday in the Fourteenth Week of Ordinary Time, Year II, 10 July 2024
Hosea 10:1-3, 7-8, 12 <*((((>< + ><))))*> Matthew 10:1-7

Jesus summoned his Twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits to drive them out and to cure every disease and every illness. The names of the Twelve Apostles are these… (Matthew 10:1-2).

Latin "discipulus" from "discere" which is to learn,
is a follower, someone who learns from a teacher;

Greek "apostolos" from "apostello"
is someone sent ahead out on a mission,
deputed to disseminate the teaching of
the master to others.

Lord Jesus Christ,
teach us to patiently learn
your lessons,
following and obeying
your instructions always
as true disciples
so that eventually,
You could send us out
like the Twelve Apostles
to carry out your mission
in this highly complicated and
competitive world.

How sad the words
 of the Prophet Hosea
are still happening these days
among us:
"Israel is a luxuriant vine
whose fruit matches its growth.
The more abundant his fruit,
the more altars he set up"
(Hosea 10:1-2).

Sad to say, O Lord,
those You have sent
have refused to learn,
have ceased from being
disciples because they too
have been lured into the ways
of the world; like yesterday,
many disciples follow the calls
of the world instead of God;
that is why, we have no more
Apostles who could be sent ahead
of You, Jesus, to proclaim You;
many of us have never learned
truly from You,
lacking discipline
in prayer and discerning
your will and plans;
let us seek your face
always, Lord,
so we may do your will
not the ways of the world;
let us seek your face,
Lord, among your people
especially the weak and marginalized
so we may be able to proclaim
"the Kingdom of heaven
is at hand."
Amen.

The gift of communion

The Lord Is My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II
Wednesday, Feast of St. Thomas, Apostle, 03 July 2024
Ephesians 2:19-22 <*{{{{>< + ><}}}}*> John 20:24-29

*From the the Catholic Diocese of Little Rock, Arkansas, dolr.org.*

Praise and glory to You,
God our Father
for your gift of the Church,
the Body of Christ built on the
foundation of the Apostles as a
community of faith,
hope,
and love!

Thank You for the gift
of St. Thomas also known as
Didymus; though he was not
present on the evening of Easter
when the Risen Lord appeared
to his fellow disciples,
he joined them eight days 
later to be with them,
most especially with Jesus;
what a beautiful gesture
of him who could not
believe of the Resurrection;
what a gift of courage for him
to submit himself to actual tests
to prove to himself that
Jesus had risen;
most of all, 
his goodwill to be one
in communion 
with his brother Apostles
and Lord Jesus.

Brothers and sisters: You are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens with the holy ones and members of the household of God, built upon the foundation of the Apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the capstone. Through him the whole structure is held together and grows into a temple sacred in the Lord, in him you also are being built together into a dwelling place of God in the Spirit (Ephesians 2:19-22).

Let us keep those words
of St. Paul, dear Jesus, 
"Through him 
the whole structure 
is held together 
and grows into a temple 
sacred in the Lord, 
in him you also are being built 
together into a dwelling place 
of God in the Spirit":
what will happen if we
destroy this communion
in You and with You through
one another? 
What could have happened
if St. Thomas remained adamant
with his "doubts" and never came to join
the other Apostles on that eighth day after
Easter?

Lord Jesus Christ,
teach me to have the 
healthy doubts of St. Thomas,
to dare test himself,
not You nor others, 
to find You, the Truth;
grant us the humility to
accept and embrace 
not only your wounds
but also those wounds
of our fellow disciples
because the twofold communion
with God and with one another
is inseparable -
wherever communion with God
in the Father, and the Son, 
and the Holy Spirit is destroyed,
the root and source of our communion
with each other is destroyed too;
whenever we do not live communion
among ourselves, communion with
God is not alive and true either.
Like St. Thomas,
enlighten us with your light
and truth, Jesus, 
to see you
among one another
to live in communion.
Amen.

St. Thomas the Apostle,
Pray for us!

Replacing the Judas Iscariots among us

The Lord Is My Chef Easter Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II
Tuesday, Feast of St. Matthias, Apostle, 14 May 2024
Acts 1:15-17, 20-26   ><)))'>  +  <'(((><   John 15:9-17

*Photo by author, Sacred Heart Novitiate, Novaliches, QC, 20 March 2024.*

Dearest Jesus,
please pardon me
in telling You
how it saddens me 
when I hear of so many
stories of Judas Iscariots
among us especially
in our ministry;
why You chose
and called them is a total mystery,
and I am so sorry
how they came out to be;
I have no claims to
holiness nor being perfect
but I thank You, Jesus,
for this feast of St. Matthias
whom You have called
to replace Judas Iscariot
to show us how much You
love us, most of all,
believe in us and 
trust us even if You know
so well we could be unfaithful
to You and Your call like
Judas Iscariot.

I pray, therefore, O Lord, 
for the gift to be faithful always
to Your call,
to fully participate in Your choices,
in Your choosing me
to Your mission
despite my sins
and weaknesses;
let me keep in mind
and heart it was You
who chose me
and not me who chose You:

“It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he may give you.”
John 15:16

How lovely,
O sweet Jesus,
to find in St. Matthias
Your choice to replace 
Judas Iscariot, a reminder from
You of that fact that while
there is no lack of unworthy 
and traitorous Christians 
everywhere like unfaithful spouses,
corrupt officials,
callous and self-centered priests
and bishops,
You still call each of us to
counterbalance the
evils they have done
with our faithful witnessing
to You, 
our Eternal Priest,
Lord and Savior.

Like St. Matthias,
let us value Your call, Jesus
to continue Your mission
so maligned and destroyed
by the many Judas Iscariots
among us; like St. Matthias,
let us nourish Your choice
by remaining in You, Lord,
by keeping our choices
according to Your
holy will; in making choices 
in this life, help me, Jesus
to be discerning,
to be most prayerful
like the Apostles.

So they proposed two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was also known as Justus, and Matthias. Then they prayed, “You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which one of these two you have chosen to take the place in this apostolic ministry from which Judas turned away to go to his own place.”
Acts 1:23-24

Lastly,
I pray today on this
feast of St. Matthias
for people having difficulties
praying to finally realize
Your choices for them;
for those afraid to accept
Your choices;
for those who keep looking
for other options
despite Your clear choice for them;
please enlighten their minds
and fill them with courage
and trust in
You, sweet Jesus.
Amen.

Pagbabalik-loob vs. pagbabago

Lawiswis Ng Salita ni P. Nicanor F. Lalog II
Kapistahan ng Pagbabalik-loob ni San Pablo, Ika-25 ng Enero, 2024
Gawa ng mga Apostol 22:3-16 ><}}}*> + ><}}}*> + ><}}}*> Marcos 16:15-18

*Painting ng “The Conversion of St. Paul” ni Luca Giordano noong 1690 mula sa wikipedia.org.*

“Magbago ka na!” Iyan ang mga salitang madalas nating marinig at sinasabi sa mga tao na alam nating mayroong masamang pag-uugali at gawain. Madalas bitiwan mga salitang iyan tuwing Bagong Taon at mga Mahal na Araw.

Ngunit, maari nga ba talagang magbago ng pag-uugali o ng pagkatao ang sino man? Ibig bang sabihin yung dating iyakin magiging bungisngis o dating madaldal magiging tahimik? Iyon bang matapang kapag nagbago magiging duwag o dating palaban magiging walang kibo at imik?

Kung isasalin sa sariling wika natin ang salitang “conversion”, nagpapahiwatig ito ng pagbabago tulad ng na-convert sa ibang relihiyon o sa ibang anyo o gamit. Ngunit sa bawat pagbabago, mayroong higit na malalim na nababago na hindi namang ibig sabihin ay nag-iiba o naging different.

Kasi iyong sinasabing conversion ni San Pablo o ng sino pa mang tao ay hindi naman pagbabago ng pagkatao kung tutuusin; sa bawat conversion, hindi naman nababago ating pagkatao talaga kungdi ating puso na naroon sa ating kalooban.

Kaya tinatawag itong pagbabalik-loob, di lamang pagbabagong-buhay.

Binabalikan natin ang Diyos na nananahan sa puso natin, doon sa kalooban natin.

Higit na malalim at makahulugang isalin ang conversion sa katagang “pagbabalik-loob” dahil ang totoo naman ay bumabalik tayo sa Diyos na naroon sa loob ng ating sarili.

Dito ipinakikita rin na likas tayong mabuti sapagkat mula tayo sa Diyos na mismong Kabutihan. Kailangang pagsisihan mga kasalanan, talikuran at talikdan kasamaan na siyang mga balakid sa ano mang pagbabalik-loob at saka pa lamang mababago ating pamumuhay.

Katulad ni San Pablo, sino man sa atin na makatagpo sa liwanag ng Diyos, nagiging maliwanag ang lahat kayat atin nang hahangarin ang Diyos na lamang at kanyang kalooban. Nananatili ating katauhan at pag-uugali ngunit naiiba direksiyon at pokus.

Kapansin-pansin na bawat nagkakasala wika nga ay malayo ang loob sa Diyos na ibig sabihin ay “ayaw sa Diyos” gaya ng ating pakahulugan tuwing sinasabing “malayo ang loob”. Ang nagbabalik-loob ay lumalapit, nagbabalik-loob at pumapaloob sa Diyos.

*Pangangaral ni San Pablo sa Areopagus sa Athens (larawan mula sa wikipedia.org).*

Isang magandang paalala sa ating lahat itong Kapistahan ng Pagbabalik-loob ni San Pablo na hindi malayo at hindi rin mahirap maabot, bumalik sa Diyos sa pamamagitan ni Kristo Jesus. Maari itong mangyari sa gitna mismo ng ating sira at maruming sarili.

Hindi nabago pagkatao at pag-uugali ni San Pablo kung tutuusin: nanatili pa rin siyang masugid, matapang at masigasig. Nabago lamang ang direksiyon at pokus o tuon ng kanyang pag-uugali at pagkatao. At siya pa rin iyon. Inamin niya sa ating unang pagbasa ngayon na siya ay “isang Judio, ipinanganak sa Tarso ng Cilicia ngunit lumaki rin sa Jerusalem. Nag-aral kay Gamaliel at buong higpit na tinuruan sa Kautusuan ng mga ninuno at masugid na naglilingkod sa Diyos” (Gawa 22:3).

Nanatiling masugid sa Diyos si San Pablo ngunit naiba na ang batayan na dati ay sa mga Kautusan at tradisyon ngunit sa kanyang pagbabalik-loob, si Jesu-Kristo na ang batayan ng kanyang pananampalataya. Personal niyang naranasan si Jesus kaya gayon na lamang kanyang pagiging masugid na alagad. Sinasabing kung hindi siya nadakip at nakulong hanggang sa patayin marahil ay umabot siya sa Africa sa pagpapalaganap ng Mabuting Balita.

Hindi rin nabawasan kanyang tapang; bagkus pa nga ay higit pa siyang tumapang. Lahat ng hirap tiniis niya at hinarap gaya ng pambubugbog sa kanila, ma-shipwreck sa isla, mabilanggo ng ilang ulit at ni minsan hindi umatras sa mga balitaktakan at paliwanagan sa mga Judio at maging kay San Pedro ay kanyang kayang salungatin at pagsabihan kung kinakailangan.

Gayon na lamang ang malasakit ni San Pablo sa Panginoong Jesu-Kristo at kanyang Mabuting Balita kaya naman sabay ang pagdiriwang ng kanilang Dakilang Kapistahan ni San Pedro tuwing ika-29 ng Hunyo dahil magkapantay kanilang kahalagahan sa pagpapatatag, pamumuno at pagpapalaganap ng pananampalataya at Simbahan.

*Ordinasyon sa pagka-diyakano sa Katedral sa Malolos, ika-12 ng Hunyo 2019.*

Alalaong-baga, katulad ni San Pablo, ano man ating pagkatao at pag-uugali siya pa ring mga dahilan kaya tayo tinatawag ng Panginoon upang maglingkod sa kanya; ililihis at ihihilig lamang niya mga ito ayon sa kanyang panukala at kalooban.

Kaming mga pari kapag inordenahan ay ganoon pa rin naman pagkatao at pag-uugali ngunit nababago direksiyon at tuon sa bagong estado ng buhay at misyon.

Gayun din ang mga mag-asawa. Lalabas at lalabas tunay na pagkatao at pag-uugali ngunit hindi iyon mga sagwil upang lumago at lumalim sila sa pagmamahalan at pagsasama bilang mag-asawa.

Wika nga sa Inggles, “God does not call the qualified; he qualifies the call.” Maraming pagkakataon tinatawag tayo ng Diyos maglingkod sa kanya di dahil sa tayo ay magagaling at mahusay; madalas nagugulat pa tayo na mismong ating kapintasan at kakulangan ang ginagamit ng Diyos para tayo maging mabisa sa pagtupad sa kanyang tawag.

Madalas at hindi naman maaalis na sumablay pa rin tayo at sumulpot paulit-ulit dating pag-uugali. Kaya naman isang proseso na nagpapatuloy, hindi natatapos ang pagbabalik-loob sa Diyos. Araw-araw tinatawagan tayong magbalik-loob.

*Larawan kuha ni G. Jim Marpa sa Dabaw, 15 Enero 2024.*

Gaya ni San Pablo nang siya ay ma-bad trip kay Juan Marcos na iniwan sila ni Bernabe sa una nilang pagmimisyon. Batay sa kasulatan, ibig pagbigayn pa ni San Bernabe na muling isama si Juan Marcos sa pangalawang pagmimisyon nila ngunit mariin ang pagtanggi at pagtutol ni San Pablo kaya’t sila ay naghiwalay ng landas bagamat nanatili silang mga alagad ni Kristo. Sa bandang huli naman ay nagkapatawaran sila.

Ganoon din tayo, hindi ba? Walang perfect. Ang mahalaga araw-araw nagbabalik-loob tayo sa Diyos dahil araw-araw lumiligwak din tayo sa ating maling pag-uugali at mahunang pagkatao.

Higit sa lahat, sa ating patuloy na pagbabalik-loob, doon lamang magiging maliwanag sa ating ang kalooban ng Diyos na palagi nating inaalam sapagkat batid nating ito ang pinakamabuti para sa atin. Ang kalooban ng Diyos ang magtuturo sa atin ng tamang landas na tatahakin upang ating buhay ay maging ganap at kasiya-siya.

Subalit kadalasan tayo ay nabibigo, naguguluhan kung ano ang kalooban ng Diyos dahil akala natin para itong tanong na isang pindot ay malalaman kaagad ang sagot tulad ng sa Google. Mahirap mabatid kalooban ng Diyos kung tayo ay malayo sa kanya dahil sa mga kasalanan. Kaya tulad ni San Pablo, idalangin natin sa Ama sa pamamagitan ni Jesu-Kristong Anak niya na magpatuloy tayo sa pagbabalik-loob upang manatili tayong nakapaloob sa Diyos. Amen. San Pablo, ipanalangin mo kami!

Every kind of people

The Lord Is My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II
Thursday, Feast of St. Matthew, Apostle, 21 September 2023
Ephesians 4:1-7, 11-13 ><}}}}*> + ><}}}}*> + ><}}}}*> Matthew 9:9-13

*Photo by Mr. Virgie Ongleo in Singapore, 2021.*

God our loving Father,
on this feast of your Son's
Apostle St. Matthew who used
to be known as Levi, a tax collector,
I pray for all the men and women
who work hard to provide food,
shelter, and clothing for their
families; through St. Matthew,
Jesus Christ had shown us
you love so dearly every working
man and woman who toil and labor
under the most harsh conditions
trying to earn a living.

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.
Matthew 9:9

St. John Chrysostom rightly
noticed how the gospels mentioned
the work of some Apostles called
by Jesus:  Peter, James and John were
fishing while Matthew was collecting
taxes; oh how perceptive were the eyes
and tongue of St. John Chrysostom!
Because fishing was seen as a lowly job
during that time while the taxman was 
the most despicable person for Jews
and yet, Jesus called them!

Lord Jesus,
grant your mercy and comfort,
consolation and help to all workers
so hard pressed in this life,
especially the forgotten who strive
to earn money decently like our
farmers and fishermen,
drivers and vendors,
maidservants and nannies
who working abroad
to care for other families as they
left their own families behind;
bless the cops and traffic enforcers,
our government workers
and officials who live in the darkness
of sin, trapped in the lures of wealth
and money; in calling St. Matthew,
Jesus showed us his daily passing
and calling of everyone of us,
people of all social classes while
they go about their ordinary,
daily work.

Grant us the strength
and courage, dear Jesus,
to be like St. Matthew 
to immediately rise up and
follow you, to leave everything
behind especially sin and evil,
to be detached and to finally
stop activities that are not
compatible in following
you, Lord; like St. Matthew,
may we "write" your gospel
with our very lives of holiness,
making known to everyone
your Divine Mercy.

Dearest Jesus,
open our hearts to 
intently listen to St. Matthew's
voice and message
so we may learn to
rise and stand
then follow you,
Lord, 
with determination.
Amen.

St. Matthew,
pray for us!