Lord My Chef Daily Recipe for Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II Monday, Twenty-Third Week in Ordinary Time, Year II, 07 September 2026 1 Corinthians 5:1-8 <*((((>< + ><))))*> Luke 6:6-11
Long before that became a bestseller, you, O Lord Jesus and the Saints who followed you like St. Paul not only preached but lived out that courage to be disliked; teach me this Monday to muster enough courage to be disliked, to be free to choose you, to be free to be faithful and true to your teachings the world had always rejected or circumvented which many of us are so afraid to stand by because they are not popular; teach us, O Lord, to stretch out our hands according to your instructions and will, not minding what others may say about us; let us have the courage to do what is good than what is sinful, the courage to be kind than unkind, the courage to be Christian than be unChristian not like some Corinthians who refused to make a stand against a prevailing immorality among them.
Your boasting is not appropriate. Do you not know that a little yeast leavens all the dough? Clear out the old yeast, so that you may become a fresh batch of dough inasmuch as you are unleavened… Therefore let us celebrate the feast, not with the old yeast, the yeast of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth (1 Corinthians 5:6-8).
Oh how I admire
and long to be like St. Paul,
Lord, filled with
courage and wisdom,
so free to be himself,
so free to be for you,
so free from pressures
of others;
throughout his life,
St. Paul had the courage
to be disliked even by
his fellow apostles
not just fellow Jews
because he was so convinced
of your love
and gospel,
Lord Jesus;
in this age of social media
where external pressures
like acceptance and popularity
are given more emphasis,
so many of us have become
so dependent on others' validations
of our actions and decisions
that leave us more lost,
alienated,
and so unfree
like that man with a
withered hand;
give me the humility,
Jesus to accept those
many parts in me
that are withered
and dry
that make me so afraid
to stand for you,
for what is true and good.
Amen.
Lord My Chef Sunday Recipe for Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle A, 09 August 2026 1Kings 19:9, 11-13 ><}}}}*> Romans 9:1-5 ><}}}}*> Matthew 14:22-33
Photo by author, Lake of Galilee, the Holy Land, May 2017.
Way back in 2017 on my second pilgrimage in the Holy Land with friends from GMA News, our early morning boat ride was postponed to midmorning due to strong winds in the Lake of Galilee that locals said could be so dangerous.
And that’s how life could really be a lot often in the most poetic sense.
In this journey in life, we not only walk the earth and climb hills and mountains but also have to cross rivers and lakes and seas many times. This is exactly what we do every Sunday when we journey in faith in Jesus, with Jesus just like the disciples at that time.
This year Matthew leads us in this journey. He tells us a totally different scene and setting in giving us a glimpse of the very person of Jesus Christ this Sunday.
Photo by author, Lake of Galilee, the Holy Land, May 2019.
After the miraculous feeding of more than five-thousand people from five loaves of bread and two pieces of fish last week, Jesus ordered his disciples to go ahead of him on a boat to the other side of the lake as he dismissed the crowds; by evening, Jesus was left alone atop the mountain praying while his disciples encountered rough seas a few miles offshore. During the fourth watch of the night, that is, about 3AM, Jesus came to his disciples walking on water.
When the disciples saw him walking on the sea they were terrified. “It is a ghost,” they said, and they cried out of fear. At once Jesus spoke to them, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.” Peter said to him in reply, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” Peter got out of the boat and began to walk on the water toward Jesus. But when he saw how strong the wind was he became frightened, and, beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand and caught Peter, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” After they got into the boat, the wind died down. Those who were in the boat did him homage, saying, “Turly, you are the Son of God” (Matthew 14:26-33).
Photo by author, San Juan, La Union, 08 January 2026.
How was our journey of faith this past year? Have our trust in God grown or changed?
It is really difficult to measure our faith, of how deep it has become because most often, we still feel fragile and uncertain, afraid and so unsure.
Growing in faith is often not straightforward; many times we feel shaken, almost at a total loss when suddenly Jesus comes at the nick of time. This is most true when we experience death of a loved one or simply someone close to us.
Actually I have been going to many funerals lately: the death of a best friend last week that was followed by the demise of his mother-in-law a few hours after we have laid him to his final resting place. Last week, several friends and relatives have also died in my hometown but I had to beg off in offering Masses to most of them.
Our faith and trust in God are most tested in deaths. Many things run through our minds when we hear someone close had died: most common reaction is how quick was the shift when we have just saw each other or texted each other then suddenly, we hear death had come while we silently whisper within kailan lang magkausap/magkasama pa tayo…
Like the disciples at that time when their boat was being tossed by waves due to strong winds in the middle of the lake at night: they could not believe how a little while they left Jesus at the shore to cross the lake then suddenly, Jesus was coming toward them on water. It must be terrifying indeed!
“Christ Walking On Water” painting by Julius Servus von Klever (1880) from commons.wikipedia.org
Many times too we find ourselves in great difficulty believing – much more accepting – bad news like when we or somebody close to us is diagnosed with a serious illness, had separated from husband or wife, going through a depression or any mental issues, had an accident or lost everything in a fire.
The list is endless of similar situations when we feel like in a boat tossed by giant waves in the middle of the sea at midnight. Like the disciples in the boat, uncertainties and darkness blind us and drive us into fears that sometimes we fail to recognize Jesus already with us.
Just hold on to God amid all the dangers you face with all your worries and doubts, fears and uncertainties. Most of all, “take courage” as Jesus told the disciples in the boat as he approached them on water because he always comes quietly, often unexpectedly.
By the fact we are able to pray, we are able to celebrate Mass on a Sunday, we are able to cry to God, that is enough proof of his very presence in us giving us courage and strength to endure and move forward with whatever we have just like last week when Jesus asked us to give him whatever little we have. What is most important is we call to God, we believe in him no matter how imperfect it may be like Peter who said, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you.”
Ano ba talaga? “Lord, if it is you” – we recognize Jesus our Lord but we can’t remove the “IF” because we are imperfect, divided between doubt and belief.
That’s normal.
There is always that gap in us, like the shore and the sea, doubt and belief that nonetheless keep us in the journey with Christ who asks us to step out in faith even in the high seas.
Photo by author, San Juan, La Union, 08 January 2026.
God does not rush or pressure us to complete faith in him but patiently invites us to grow in trust at our own pace. Even the great Prophet Elijah in the first reading had to wait patiently for God’s coming after fleeing to Mount Horeb to escape the murderous plots of Queen Jezebel against him.
Elijah surely was not aware of everything about God’s plan for him but he had the courage to follow him, to obey him to go to Horeb which is also Mount Sinai where God appeared to Moses. Of course, Elijah knew the scriptures very well, of how God spoke and appeared to Moses and the Israelites in “strong heavy winds and crushing rocks, in earthquake and fire” but found God nowhere. Elijah remained at the mouth of the cave in Horeb until “there was a tiny whispering sound. When he heard this, Elijah hid his face in his cloak and went and stood at the entrance of the cave” (1Kgs.19:12-13).
How lovely is this scene that shows us convincingly that God comes and speaks always in silence. Incidentally, it takes a lot of courage to be silent too.
Faith, like love, comes after an encounter with Jesus. The more we follow Jesus, the more we grow in faith in him as we meet him and most of all, listen to him despite our many imperfections. Just remain in him for he alone is our certainty and security. Let us pray:
Lord Jesus, draw me deeply into a trusting relationship with you by following you more closely as I struggle with my many hesitations and doubts of your presence. Amen.
Photo by author, Anvaya Cove, Morong, Bataan, 21 July 2026.
Lord My Chef Daily Recipe for Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II Tuesday in the Fourteenth Week of Ordinary Time, Year II Hosea 8:4-7, 11-13 ><))))*> + ><))))*> + ><))))*> Matthew 9:32-38
Daily scene of commuters in Metro Manila; photo by Veejay Villafranca/Bloomberg via Getty Images, 2024.
Your words today, O Lord are very inspiring and challenging, inviting me to get involved with those in the margins, with those suffering, for those "troubled and abandoned, like sheep without a shepherd" (Matthew 9:36).
Give me the wisdom and charity to be involved with the voiceless in your holy name, Jesus, for the sake of your Kingdom and not for any self-interests like those in Israel in the first reading who "appointed kings without God's approval, making idols out of their gold and silver, making altars that became occasions for their sins" (Hosea 8:4, 11).
Grant me courage, Jesus to get involved with your poor little ones who sometimes would even reject our efforts but most especially when others brand us as rebels, as diabolic.
But the Pharisees said, “He drives out demons by the prince of demons” (Matthew 9:34).
Teach me, Jesus, the proper way to respond to your invitation to get involved with the poor and suffering, that I may grow in love and compassion for those in need. Amen.
Lord My Chef Sunday Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle A, 21 June 2026 Jeremiah 20:10-13 ><}}}}*> Romans 5:12-15 ><}}}}*> Matthew 10:26-30
BERLIN, GERMANY – JUNE 18: Alexandra Eala of the Philippines reacts to defeating Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan in the second round on Day Four of the 2026 Berlin Tennis Open at LTTC Rot-Weiß e.V. on June 18, 2026 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Robert Prange/Getty Images)
God has a most amazing way of consoling us Filipinos when everything is so dismal in the country, sending us athletes who uplift our spirits and make us proud as a nation. In the not so distant past we have had Manny Pacquiao and Olympic gold medalists Hidilyn Diaz and Carlos Yulo cheering us up.
And now, we have the lovely but tenacious and gritty Alex Eala who just made history anew this week with her two upset wins in the ongoing Berlin Tennis Open when she prevailed over WTA number 2 Elena Rybakin Thursday then Friday crushed number eight Elina Svitolina. (Update: Eala lost to Linda Noskova last night.)
Watch her interviews in both victories where Eala mentioned her being “brave” in her games as she described too both matches filled with “grace” – so very much like this Sunday’s gospel where Jesus mentioned thrice the need to be brave!
Jesus said to the Twelve: “Fear no one. Nothing is concealed that will not be revealed, nor secret that will not be known… And do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul… So do not be afraid” (Matthew 10:26, 28, 31).
Photo by Dra. Mylene A. Santos, MD, in Ericeira, Portugal, 16 June 2026.
After choosing and sending his Twelve Apostles last Sunday, Jesus reminds them including us today of the need to have courage in working in the Lord’s “abundant harvests” because the good news goes directly against the ways of the world.
This we have learned at the start of this year in the Lord’s sermon on the mount where he taught us the Beatitudes last February 1, fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Though the Beatitudes like being poor, being hungry and thirsty are not to be taken literally, they still run contrary to the ways of world of power and wealth, fame and convenience.
As the world advances in science and technology, the more it veers away from God and do away with morals that in the process, the Church has always faced many contradictions, some with violent reactions even persecutions for her stance against abortion and population control, divorce and same-sex marriage and other anti-life measures now so widespread through the social media.
It is not only difficult and painful for the Church as an institution but most especially for each of us disciples of Christ that we can easily identify with the Prophet Jeremiah in the first reading.
Of the four major prophets, Jeremiah was the youngest and the only one sent by God to his own people to prophesy. That is why it was so painful for Jeremiah to experience in the hands of his own folks and kin being maligned and rejected, and betrayed just like most of us today!
Jeremiah said: “I hear the whisperings of many: ‘Terror on every side! Denounce! Let us denounce him!’ All those who were my friends are on the watch for any misstep of mine. ‘Perhaps he will be trapped; then we can prevail, and take our vengeance on him.’ But the Lord is with me, like a mighty champion… Sing to the Lord, praise the Lord, for he has rescued the life of the poor from the power of the wicked!” (Jeremiah 20:10-11, 13)
Like Jeremiah, we have complained and even cried to God many times for our sufferings in doing his will to be just and fair, kind and merciful, even charitable; and like him, we could not resist God’s call and mission despite the pains and hurts because we too felt “duped” and “seduced” by the Lord (Jer.20:7) as we felt deep inside us his love and protection. Like all the saints who suffered much in witnessing the gospel, we felt deep inside God as our very strength as we pray more to forge on in the difficult mission of doing his works.
Photo by author, Our Lady of Fatima University, Valenzuela City, 10 June 2026.
When Jesus asks us to “fear no one”, he is inviting us to primarily fear God most of all for he knows everything and will judge us in the end. It is a kind of reverential fear, not the kind of fear of a slave to a master of being reprimanded and punished.
To “fear no one” and “be not afraid” do not mean that we disregard our fears of being hurt or killed physically and emotionally; it is call to have courage which is facing our fears. Having no fears in life is not normal. As we say in the province, yung walang takot sira tuktok!
To fear the Lord means to recognize the sanctity of life, the blessedness of every person. See Eala’s attitude of being magnanimous in victory and in defeat as she would always praise and recognize the talents and greatness of her opponents. In her we find the truth that the “fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” – that every person is a subject to be loved and cherished, not an object or thing to be used or possessed, without feelings and dignity.
Photo by author, Our Lady of Fatima University, Valenzuela City, 10 June 2026.
This is the tragedy exposed by the recent deaths of the two Ateneo athletes, and it involves almost all UAAP members these past decades who have given more priorities in winning trophies above all, forgetting the value of every person. True enough, it is a secret slowly becoming known.
Likewise, to be not afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul is to recognize the soul in each one of us, of Christ’s indwelling within us, enabling us to overcome every obstacle in life.
It is like being a pencil: remember the inside is more essential than the outside. That is our identity as God’s beloved child.
Our physical strength actually draws much of its power and stamina from our inner core than merely from our bones and muscles. Hence, the need for prayers and meditation, for conditioning to realize our giftedness and value.
When this happens, the third call of Jesus becomes automatic which is to be not afraid because we are worth more than many sparrows or anything else in this world.
Why? Because God is gracious!
To recognize our fears and vulnerabilities as well as weaknesses is in itself courage, fearing no one except God who alone heals us. Most of all, who alone is our strength in our weaknesses. Let us not be afraid in this life to do what is good, to stand for what is right and just, to proclaim the gospel of Christ’s salvation because God is gracious especially to those who abide in him through Christ. Amen. Have a blessed week ahead! And say a prayer for Alex Eala.
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 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 Daily Recipe for the Soul, 19 November 2025 Wednesday in the Thirty-Third Week of Ordinary Time, Year I 2 Maccabees 7:1, 20-31 ><))))*> + ><))))*> + ><))))*> Luke 19:11-28
Lady of Sorrows from a triptych by the Master of the Stauffenberg Altarpiece, Alsace c. 1455; photo from fraangelicoinstitute.com.
What a lovely phrase, dear Jesus for today for us all especially mothers and all women: "womanly heart, manly courage."
At this time when a wayward daughter and sister viciously attacks her own brother in total disregard of our family values and tradition, not to mention the need for decency and respect as well as a little sanity too, here comes out in the open the nobility of many women and mothers as well as men still intact; in this time like during the Maccabean Revolt when many sold their souls to evil for the price of comfort and ease, there are still more like that mother who dare to go against the tide of insanity and folly, indecency and disrespect, most of all, of idolatrous worship through religious leaders of the many sects and cults who use God's name in vain and shameful profit too.
Keep us strong inside, Jesus, to be not afraid in venturing into finding ways of serving you most than being idle in keeping your gifts and talents; teach us anew the virtue of obedience, of docility to authority whether at home and family or in the society in general and in other civil institutions.
Lastly, we pray dear Jesus for all mothers crying in silence these days for the many pains they bear inside their hearts especially those who have lost a child, those betrayed by their own husband or children, those separated from their families due to work and employment, those nursing a sick loved one, those forgotten even by families and societies; grant them a "womanly heart" filled with faith in God and a "manly courage" trusting in you alone. Amen.
Now more than ever, we are proven right: the past administration is the most decadent in our history with its utter lack of respect for life and for women; that its war on drugs was totally a lie. May they “who have contrived every kind of affliction not escape the hands of God” (2 Maccabees 7:31).
Lord My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul, 16 October 2025 Thursday, Memorial of St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, Virgin Romans 3:21-30 <*((((>< + ><))))*> Luke 11:47-54
Photo by author, Sacred Heart Novitiate, Novaliches, May 2018.
If there is one thing I could wish from you, Lord Jesus, at this very moment after hearing your words to sit beside you, just be with you to feel you - are you angry with us? Or mad, at least disappointed?
I feel afraid and worried, Lord.
The Lord said: “Woe to you, scholars of the law! You have taken away the key of knowledge. You yourselves did not enter and you stopped those trying to enter.” When Jesus left, the scribes and Pharisees began to act with hostility toward him and to interrogate him about many things, for they were plotting to catch him at something he might say (Luke 11:52-53).
You are not only filled with courage and wisdom but very bold to express them; how I wish, Lord, I could have that grace to truly speak my heart out, to express what the Father had sent me to proclaim, to disturb the complacent and corrupt, the indifferent and self-righteous among us; or, at least, grant me Lord the diplomacy and formality of St. Paul who was very much like you in proclaiming the truth boldly and courageously.
Let me sit more often in your silence and feelings, Jesus; let your salvation be manifested in me without any tinge of boasting except only in your most holy name. Amen.
Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II Our Lady of Fatima University Valenzuela City (lordmychef@gmail.com)
Photo by author, Nagsasa Cove, San Antonio, Zambales, 19 October 2024.
Lord My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul, 30 September 2025 Tuesday, Memorial of St. Jerome, Priest & Doctor of the Church Zechariah 8:20-23 <*((((>< + ><))))*> Luke 9:51-56
Photo by author, Sacred Heart Novitiate, Novaliches, QC, 19 March 2025.
You were the first, Lord Jesus Christ, to teach us to have the courage to be disliked; you were the first to show us true freedom from what others say to freely follow what God says; you were the first to suffer and die for love, Lord Jesus Christ because your being is always clear, your mission is always clear, and your love is most clear.
When the days for Jesus to be taken up were fulfilled, he resolutely determined to journey to Jerusalem, and he sent messengers ahead of him. On the way they entered a Samaritan village to prepare for his reception there, but they would not welcome him because the destinations of his journey was Jerusalem. When the disciples James and John saw this, they asked, “Lord, do you want us to call down fire from heaven to consume them?” Jesus turned and rebuked them, and they journeyed to another village (Luke 9:51-56).
You knew very well, dear Jesus, what awaited you in Jerusalem yet you "resolutely determined to journey" there and when trouble was brewing in a Samaritan village, you simply took another route to not waste energy and time among the Samaritans.
Grant me the same courage and freedom, Jesus, to be disliked, to be rejected; teach me to let go of my past especially my mistakes and failures, choosing to be better than bitter; keep me anchored in you, Jesus, of how much you love me and believe in me so that I do not have to seek other's approval except that I am doing your holy will; most of all, teach me to be gentle and kind with myself, that I am not God who is perfect; like St. Jerome, let me immerse in your words to continue following you despite my imperfections as Zechariah prophesied. Amen.
Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II Our Lady of Fatima University Valenzuela City (lordmychef@gmail.com)
Photo by author, Archdiocesan Shrine of Nuestra Señora De Guia, Ermita, Manila, 28 November 2024.
Lord My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul, 14 August 2025 Thursday, Memorial of St. Maximilian Kolbe, Priest & Martyr Joshua 3:7-10, 11, 13-17 <*((((>< + ><))))*> Matthew 18:21-19:1
Photo by Mr. Jim Marpa, 2019.
Praise and glory to you, God our Father!
Your words today are so lovely so touching so personal; I could feel Joshua leading your people at the banks of Jordan River ready to cross.
The people struck their tents to cross the Jordan, with the priests carrying the ark of the covenant ahead of them. No sooner had these priestly bearers of the ark waded into the waters at the edge of the Jordan…than the waters flowing from upstream halted, backing up in a solid mass for every great distance indeed… while those flowing downstream toward the Salt Sea of the Arabah disappeared entirely. Thus the people crossed over opposite Jericho (Joshua 3:14-15, 16).
Many times, Lord I am afraid to make that first step forward onto the banks of the river of life, afraid to step on water itself; many times, that one little step forward is all I need but so often I balked even chickened out wasting many opportunites to grow in faith and trust in you; many times, Lord I am afraid to give to share to forgive because I cannot trust there would be still enough for me.
O dear Jesus, have mercy on me! Embolden your gift of courage in me to imitate the modern saint Maximilian Kolbe who was like Joshua who dared to make that bold step forward onto the banks of Jordan River; like the priestly bearers of the ark, St. Maximilian Kolbe literally stepped forward too into death by giving himself for another prisoner at Auschwitz; what a beautiful imagery in modern time's darkest moments that St. Maximilian Kolbe brought and carried Jesus Christ the new ark of the covenant to bring life not only to the prisoners of Auschwitz at that time but even to many among us these days so lost and trapped in the gas chambers of modern forms of human abuses and exploitation; Lord Jesus Christ, grant me the grace to walk faithfully, trusting God who always makes a way through what seems to be impassable. Let me be the bearer of Christ to enable others pass through from death to life, from grief to joy, from hopelessness to love. Amen.
St. Maximilian Kolbe, Pray for us.
Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II Our Lady of Fatima University Valenzuela City (lordmychef@gmail.com)
The Lord Is My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II Simbang Gabi-5 Homily, 20 December 2024 Isaiah 7:10-14 <*((((>< + ><))))*> Luke 1:26-38
Photo by Mr. Boy Cabrido, National Shrine of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, QC, 16 December 2024.
Last Monday at the start of Simbang Gabi, one of our priests became viral when at the recessional of their Mass while the choir was joyfully singing “Pasko na! Pasko na!”, he sarcastically sang “Hindi pa! Hindi pa!”
Many people laughed at the viral video with some commenting that Father was right because it wasn’t Christmas yet while a liturgist advised choirs to check the many choices of Advent songs now available online. But, sad to say, the people missed the whole point of the incident.
What our brother-priest did was not funny at all in putting to shame his own choir members and most of all, in destroying the solemnity of the Mass.
And the problem was not really the choir at all but the priest himself. What the priest did at the end of the Mass was a self-indictment of his lack of formation for his choir members and of any dialogue at all.
Photo by author, Advent in previous parish, 2018.
Advent is a dialogue between God and humans that led to the presence of God among us in Jesus Christ on Christmas. It is a process that continues in our own time as we are all called to be open to God and with others for dialogue like Mary in the annunciation of Christ’s birth by Archangel Gabriel.
Dialogue is more than conversing to improve relationships among people in a community or organization but a way of being with others as opposed to a way of thinking through issues and problems only. Dialogue is being present with others, of giving one’s self to feel and listen and experience the other person.
Luke shows us in his second Christmas story today how this true meaning of dialogue between God and Mary happened.
In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary. And coming of her, he said, “Hail, full of grace! Then Lord is with you.” But she was greatloy troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God… But Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?” And the angel said to her in reply, “The Holy spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God. And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren; for nothing will be impossible for God” (Luke 1:26-30, 34-37).
“Cestello Annunciation” by Botticelli painted in 1490; from en.wikipedia.org.
See the artistry and genius of Luke as a storyteller. Yesterday he presented to us the annunciation of the birth of John the Baptist to his father Zechariah while incensing the Holy of Holies in the temple of Jerusalem.
Notice the great differences in the flow of conversations and dialogue in the two annunciations narrated by Luke. Both Zechariah and Mary were troubled at the coming of the angel. And who would not be in a such unprecedented event? However, there is one minute detail we find in Luke’s narration of the two annunciations that reveal something so big and deep in meaning.
According to Luke, “Zechariah was troubled by what he saw, and fear came upon him” (Lk. 1:12) while Mary “was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be” (Lk. 1:29). Both were troubled which is normal but their reactions differed so great with Zechariah becoming proud while Mary was humbled.
I believe that it was more than their age and differences in social status that Zechariah was simply “troubled” while Mary was “greatly troubled” but it was largely due to their dispositions and openness to God.
Zechariah was proud of his stature and of his intelligence, trying to take hold and control of everything that is why he was seized with fear. When he told the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years” (Lk.1:18), Zechariah was troubled and fearful because he felt challenged as a priest much respected in the community, choosing to stand proud of his position and intelligence as if having a child is all an effort of man and woman alone! There was no dialogue as Zechariah was proud that is why he was made mute by the angel. He had forgotten all about God!
Photo by author, Basilica of the Annunciation, Nazareth, Israel, May 2019.
Compare Mary’s reaction to the annunciation, “But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.”
Luke always portrayed Mary as the listener and doer of the word, the one who ponders at the words spoken to her not only by the angel here but later at the birth of Jesus those spoken by the shepherds, then by Simeon at the Presentation and by Jesus Himself at the wedding in Cana. Mary has always been open to dialogue, to feeling the other person conversing with her. She was not concerned only with the news and information but with the persons involved.
In that sense, there is her remarkable humility and great courage at the same time. True humility is not really about being submissive but most of all being filled with courage, not with fear. Mary as the very young virgin from a poor family in a town nobody gave importance stood fearless before the angel as she took hold of herself to ponder on the words spoken to her. Despite the very unprecedented moment with an angel, Mary had that inner engagement with the words she had just heard without any violent reactions.
Photo by author, December 2018.
Unlike Zechariah, Mary was the one actually in control of herself and of her emotions. The Jedi Master Yoda of Star Wars said it so well, “fear leads to anger, anger leads to destruction”. Zechariah was afraid of losing power and control but Mary was not bothered at all. In fact, she faced the challenge head on, reflecting deep in her what is this going on? Am I awake, is this a dream would most likely be the words playing in her mind and heart. Mary had presence as she tried to feel the angel and later God that no wonder, Jesus came to her womb and we have Christmas!
The humility and courage of Mary became more evident when she said to the angel, “How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?”
She was not afraid at all to be become the Mother of God! There was already her willingness to submit, as if telling the angel, “OK let’s do it but tell me how?” whereas Zechariah was argumentative, trying to escape responsibilities? Such was the attitude too of Ahaz in the first reading, denying he won’t test God when in fact he had already aligned with other kings in the region as he feared the invading enemies near his borders.
It was at this moment when the good news became most closest to us through Mary when the angel explained of the coming of the Holy Spirit, of how the power of God would overshadow her, assuring her that nothing is impossible with God.
How wonderful is this scene for us to emulate Mary so that we experience Christmas daily in our lives, not only of God coming but being present in us and among us. Can we dare to be open before God like Mary? Have a blessed Friday!
Photo by author, Fatima Avenue, Valenzuela City, December 2024.
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