Tag: comfort zones

That crossing again…

The Lord Is My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II
Thursday in the Thirteenth Week of Ordinary Time, Year II, 04 July 2024
Amos 7:10-17     <*((((><<  +  >><))))*>     Matthew 9:1-8
Photo by Mr. Raffy Tima, GMA-7 News in Batanes, 2018.
Oh how I love the gospel
this week, Lord Jesus Christ,
showing how often 
You have crossed the vast lake
of Galilee to reach everyone;
You continue to do so these days,
helping us cross the turbulent seas
and chaotic streets of life that are
so stressful, 
so heavy with burdens,
always with various forms of sufferings;
without You, we could have not 
made it this far.
Thank You, Lord Jesus!
Photo by Mr. Raffy Tima of GMA-7 News in Batanes, 2018.
Help us, Jesus,
do the same as You send us daily
to help others cross this life to
safety and security in You,
to fullness and light in You;
like the Prophet Amos,
let us dare to cross and leave
our comfort zone to speak your words
across other territories,
especially those hostile to You
and your values of love and justice,
kindness and mercy;
give us the courage to speak up
for those silenced and weak due to
poverty and sickness;
let us be your mouthpiece
and presence especially when 
everyone feels contented with
mediocrity and sin.

Amos answered Amaziah, “I was no prophet, nor have I belonged to a company of prophets; I was a shepherd and a dresser of sycamores. The Lord took me from following the flock, and said to me, ‘Go prophecy to my people Israel'” (Amos 7:14-15).

Let your words, O Lord,
refresh my soul for they are perfect
while your decrees are trustworthy,
giving wisdom to those who simply
obey You; let me not be distracted
by what others say as I dare to cross
to your side of life and truth,
justice and mercy for others.
Amen.
Photo from The Valenzuela Times, 02 July 2024.

Advent is for comforting

The Lord Is My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II
Tuesday in the Second Week of Advent, 06 December 2022
Isaiah 40:1-11     ><000'> + ><000'> + ><000'>     Matthew 18:12-14
Comfort food
Comfort zone
Comfort room!
How funny these days
things and ideas are supposed
to comfort us but in reality do not.
Thank you very much, dearest
God our Father, for this gift of
the Advent Season when you
truly comfort us again.

Comfort, give comfort to my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her service is at an end, her guilt is expiated; indeed, she has received from the hand of the Lord double for all her sins. A voice cries out: In the desert prepare the way of the Lord! Make straight in the wasteland a highway for our God!

Isaiah 40:1-3
Like your words yesterday,
today's prophecy by Isaiah 
are very comforting:  to comfort,
from the words "cum" and "fortis"
that mean "with strength" means
exactly that - give strength, make
strong again!
Nothing can truly give us strength
no one can truly give us comfort
except you, our loving Father,
who "had expiated all our sins"
and "given us double for all our sins" 
in the coming of Jesus Christ, 
our Good Shepherd.
Make us realize, Father,
that nothing and no one can truly
comfort us in the truest sense -
soothe and heal our pains,
allow us to cry and be our true selves,
most of all, give us strength to go on
with life again amid all the pains and
sorrows except Jesus Christ.
Let us be like Jesus the Good Shepherd
to others in pain due to sickness
and hurts in life, giving them comfort,
by helping them find direction and 
meaning in life,
joy and peace,
someone to listen to them
and be a companion in this
life journey and most of all,
find you again in themselves,
in their giftedness as persons
to be renewed and be strong again.
Amen.

Agere contra (acting against)

The Lord Is My Chef Breakfast Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II
Friday, Week XIV, Year I in Ordinary Time, 09 July 2021
Genesis 46:1-7, 28-30   ><)))*> + <*(((><   Matthew 10:16-23
Photo by author, Malagos Garden Resort, Davao City, 2018.
Praise and glory to you, 
God our loving Father;
thank you for another week
thank you for this brand new day
thank you for this gift of life
and thank you for 
reassuring us of your love 
and saving presence.
Then he said:
"I am God, 
The God of your father.
Do not be afraid
to go down to Egypt,
for there I will make you 
a great nation.
Not only will I go down to Egypt
with you; I will also bring you back here,
after Joseph has closed your eyes."
(Genesis 46:3-4)
Many among us, dear Lord
are like Jacob moving to Egypt:
lives are disrupted
routines are broken
due to sickness and other trials in life;
assure them too of your presence
and please, bring them back home
 safe and well.
Keep us faithful to you, Father.
When trials and difficulties come,
we are always shaken
and tempted to find the easy way out;
worst is when things become unbearable,
we plead to you for an end of sufferings
without realizing that is when you are closest
to us in your Son Jesus Christ. 
Jesus said to his Apostles:
"Behold, I am sending you 
like sheep in the midst of wolves;
so be shrewd as serpents
and simple as doves.
You will be hated by all
because of my name,
but whoever endures to the end
will be saved."
Please grant us the wisdom
and humility to live our lives 
in true freedom to you, dear God;
to let go of our false securities and 
comfort zones, the "agere contra"
according to St. Ignatius of Loyola
so we may grow truly in you 
who has the final say on everything.  Amen.