Lord My Chef Daily Recipe for Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II
Wednesday, Twenty-third Week in Ordinary Time, Year II
Memorial of St. Peter Claver, SJ, Priest, 09 September 2026
1 Corinthians 7:25-31     <*((((>< + ><))))*>     Luke 6:20-26

The rains have not stopped,
the sun remains hidden
and dark clouds continue
not only above us but even
in our lives these days;
many are so hard pressed
in life - displaced from homes
due to floods, some could not work
and earn with barely nothing to 
keep them warm and fed
while others are depressed,
fearful, uncertain of what is next:

I pray for them all,
Jesus; speak to them
directly like today in 
the gospel; let them hear,
move them and stir their hearts
to life and animation,
to realize they are loved
and cared for,
to never lose hope
in this life,
to let go of their past
sins and mistakes,
to simply not worry
and trust you 
by being grateful
for your many blessings.

“Blessed are you who are poor, for the Kingdom of god is yours. Blessed are you who are now hungry, for you will be satistifed. Blessed are you who are now weeping, for you will laugh. Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude and insult you, and denounce your name as evil on account of the Son of Man” (Luke 6:20-22).

You are speaking directly
to each one of us, Jesus;
may those going through
difficulties these days
hear and feel your blessings,
Jesus;
it is hard and so difficult
to listen and accept
being called blessed
according to your gospel,
Jesus
because many of us are
going through it!

May your beatitudes
comfort us, dear Jesus,
find consolation in you
like your Jesuit Saint
Peter Claver
who offered his life
 to those enslaved
in Colombia,
choosing to live among
those despised than among
those comfortable;
help me find blessedness
Jesus in solidarity with
those suffering,
for those in the margins,
for those forgotten
for those suffering in silence.
Amen.