Tag: following God

Following Jesus like Matthew in lights and darkness

Lord My Chef Daily Recipe for Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II
Monday, Twenty-Fifth Week in Ordinary Time, Year II
Feast of St. Matthew the Apostle
Ephesians 4:1-7, 11-13     <*{{{{><  +  ><}}}}}*>     Matthew 9:9-13
Caravaggio’s painting, “The Calling of St. Matthew” from en.wikipedia.org

That beautiful painting by Caravaggio, “The Calling of St. Matthew” completed in 1600 for the French congregation of San Luigi Francesi in Rome is said to be the favorite of the late Pope Francis among the many other masterpieces found in the eternal city.

If given another chance to go on a pilgrimage to Rome, I have vowed to personally see that painting by Caravaggio along with his two other masterpieces, that of the meeting of Thomas Didymus with the Risen Lord and his breaking of bread at Emmaus that all evoke body movements and inner motions among the characters that lead us to continue the beautiful story of the painter’s subjects.

But I can’t wait to go there in Rome to view those paintings; through the wonder of internet, let us reflect on this Feast of St. Matthew using this painting characterized by lights and darkness, from his sitting to his rising and standing to follow Jesus while working as a tax collector.

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).

Sitting. Many centuries from now, anthropologists and other experts will study our generation on how humans have evolved – or retrogressed – with our spending too much time sitting. Doctors warn of the many health risks that result in prolonged sitting like obesity and heart disease.

Sitting is an important human movement especially in studying and learning lessons through reading and writing, meeting and discussions.

Imagine St. Matthew when he was called by Jesus, while sitting at the customs post: here we find sitting at its worst imagery of being stuck on our seats of comfort and complacency, sins and other vices. Worst is see how in our modern time we have given so much premium on where we sit to insist on our ego trips and sense of territory as well as claims to fame and prominence not realizing that what really matters in life is not where we sit but where we stand (https://lordmychef.com/2019/02/22/it-is-where-we-stand-that-matters-most-not-where-we-sit/).

See in Caravaggio’s painting how everybody is seated at the table with St. Matthew dressed in the artist’s period of the 1600’s to show that Jesus continues to come in our own particular time in history.

Most of all, the gospel tells us that St. Matthew was seated at his customs post when called by Jesus but Caravaggio’s painting portrays them to be inside a tavern to tell us that we are also St. Matthew whom Jesus visits and calls daily while we are busy or drunk sitting at our comfort zones, in our vices and sins, in our complacency and mediocrity.

And like St. Matthew, we, too, are invited to rise and follow Jesus right away!

This brings us to the second movement of man so important, that of standing.

Following Jesus demands that we must first rise from our seats to make a stand for Jesus and his teachings of love and kindness, mercy and forgiveness, service and self-sacrifice. Notice how St. Matthew, the fat man at the middle with a black hat like a beret pointing to the man bowed down to the table.

See and feel the hesitancy of St. Matthew – like us – always wondering, asking God, “is it I, Lord?” So many times we cannot believe Jesus really looking for us, wanting us, calling us, believing in us!

And in all that beautiful interplay of light and darkness by Caravaggio in his painting, we feel the eyes of Jesus looking at our beloved apostle as if telling him, “yes, you, Matthew; Follow me”.

Cast all your doubts if Jesus were really calling you, believing in you, trusting you – he does! Jesus always comes to each of us in the most personal manner like with all his apostles, telling us, “It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit” (Jn.15:16).

Don’t you hear how Jesus is calling you daily, asking you, “will the real you please rise up and stand for who you really are”?

See yourself the way Jesus sees you – forgiven and beloved, precious and loved. No need for us to look good before Jesus. Just rise and stand with him!

Photo by author, St. Michael Retreat House, Antipolo, July 2026.

Walking. It is not enough for us to remain standing. Making a stand for Jesus means to follow him in his path of justice and love, mercy and forgiveness, being small and the least serving the weak and the poorest of the poor.

To walk in Christ is to be like Christ because Jesus himself is “the way the truth and the life” (Jn.14:6).

Walking in Christ is following the “road less travelled” that leads to the Cross of self-offering and sacrifice, of love and acceptance.

Notice in Caravaggio’s painting how he portrayed Jesus in his own traditional clothes along with Simon Peter – and they are both barefooted!

There seems to be a slight commotion wherein Simon is like warning the man with a sword close to him to be still, to not make any move for they are walking away soon once St. Matthew rises and stands from his seat. Look at the feet of Jesus and Simon; they are all set to walk, as if telling St. Matthew, “come on, let us go!”

But where to?

While he was at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat with Jesus and his disciples. The Pharisees saw this and said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” He heard this and said, “Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do. Go and learn the meaning of the words, I desire mercy, not sacrifice. I did not come to call the righteous but sinners” (Matthew 9:10-13).

The two disciples walking to Emmaus not recognizing Jesus was with them.

Following Jesus, walking on his path of the cross means going to those forgotten by us and the society, walking to meet those who are not like us – in beliefs and way of thinking, in clothing and appearances, in disposition and backgrounds.

It can be a lonely walk filled with pains and sufferings, and yes, disappointments like the two disciples who walked back to Emmaus on Easter without realizing Jesus was the stranger who had joined them along the way. That is the beauty of walking with Jesus, in Jesus, and to Jesus: you never see him nor recognize him right away but he is always with us, walking with us by our side even if we are going the opposite direction in life!

Walking the way of Jesus is tough and rough. It is not easy but it is the only way we must follow. That is why we need to rest in Jesus, with Jesus who asks us to be seated again as he washes our feet to comfort and console us, and prepare us for longer walks in the journey.

Photo by Ms. JJ Jimeno, UP Parish Diliman, June 2019.

Kneeling. Of all the body movements modern man has forgotten is kneeling. Again, look at Caravaggio’s painting, take a peek below the table and notice the robust knees of St. Matthew, look at the soft throw of light on his right leg and the softer tone on his left.

Caravaggio must be telling us something about the healthy lower body of St. Matthew despite his sitting position. See Caravaggio’s genius in throwing that soft light on St. Matthew’s legs and knees that were made strong not only by long hours of standing and walking with Jesus but with longer time of kneeling and praying after the Lord’s Ascension.

Kneeling is one very important gesture and body movement we must regain to truly follow Jesus and regain order in ourselves and in our nation. It is the best praying position for it signifies surrender and humility before God. In fact, for the Hebrews, the knee is the symbol of strength that to bend one’s knees – to kneel – means to submit one’s self to God the all-powerful.

How sad when people refuse to kneel because their knees or expensive pants and clothes might get dirty. Worst of all is when we have refused to kneel and bend our knees because we feel so strong and able to accomplish a lot that we would rather be pursuing our own interests than following Jesus.

Like Caravaggio’s painting of “The Calling of St. Matthew”, our lives and nation are into a great darkness due to the pandemic and the worsening decadence in every aspect of our society.

It is not a time to be a fence-sitter or a bystander; Jesus calls us to arise and make a stand against the pervading evils, asking us whom are we really following in this journey in history and life.

Amid the gloom are streaks of light bringing hope and reason, truth and goodness, inviting us to learn from the call of St. Matthew to…

Sit and learn more of Jesus
Rise and stand with Jesus
Walk and follow Jesus
Kneeling always at the foot of his Cross
to truly follow him our Lord and Master.
Amen.

Lead me, Lord, to your narrow gate.

Lord My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II
Tuesday in the Twelfth Week of Ordinary Time, Year II, 23 June 2026
2 Kings 19:9-11, 14-21, 31-35, 36  <*(((>< + ><)))*>  Matthew 7:6, 12-14
Photo by Mr. Vigie Ongleo somewhere in Colorado, 03 June 2026. 
Lead me Lord Jesus
to your "narrow gate
and constricted road that
leads to life" (Matthew 7:14)
by teaching me to be
more trusting,
obedient to your will by
let me go
of my many concerns
and worries,
of my fears and
reluctance.

Like Hezekiah
the King of Judah,
let me be led by you,
O God most powerful
who loves me so much;
let me value most this
relationship with you, 
Lord that I may never turn
to anybody else
except you.
Amen.

Presence of Jesus

Lord My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul, 04 September 2025
Thursday in the Twenty-Second Week of Ordinary Time, Year I
Colossians 1:9-14     <*((((><  +  ><))))*>     Luke 5:1-11
Photo by Mr. Raffy Tima of GMA7 News in Batanes, September 2018.
Today's gospel story
of your first meeting with
Simon reminds me 
of how your presence
made a difference in my life
when I finally said "yes" 
to your call
to give my vocation 
to the priesthood
a second chance in 1991 
when I resigned from my job 
to enter the seminary again;
it was pure joy at first that later
became more intense,
more deep and wonderful 
as the going got tough and rough;
it was never easy following you, 
Jesus but you have never forsaken me
since then until now though many times
I have balked and even backed out
from you as you kept telling me
those same words you told Simon,
"Do not be afraid" (Luke 5:10).
Fill me, Jesus,
"with the knowledge of God's will
through all spiritual wisdom 
and understanding to walk 
in a manner worthy of the Lord,
so as to be fully pleasing,
in every good work 
bearing fruit nd growing 
in the knowledge of God"
(Colossians 1:9-10);
teach me to trust you more 
by surrendering, giving up
my total self to you 
so that I may continue 
casting my net into the deep;
though I have given up a lot,
I still feel I have not given up
that much of myself to you -
take away from me, Jesus
whatever I still hold on deep inside, 
help me surrender
myself to you totally so that 
I may know you more clearly,
love you more dearly,
follow you most closely daily
for it is in your presence 
when I am most fulfilled.
Amen.
From Pexels.com.

Strive in discipline

Lord My Chef Sunday Recipe for the Soul, 24 August 2025
Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle C
Isaiah 66:18-21 ><}}}*> Hebrews 12:5-7, 11-13 ><}}}*> Luke 13:22-30
Phot by author of pilgrims trying to enter through the narrow door of the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, the Holy Land.

Anyone who had gone on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land must have heard the story of the fabled “narrow door” at the entrance of the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, of how it was reduced into that small door a very long time ago to prevent pilgrims from bringing their horses and camels inside the church that made a lot mess and stench.

Photo by author, narrow doors from the inside of the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, the Holy Land, May 2019.

That little door of the Church of the Nativity later became symbolic of the humble gesture of bowing low first to enter and see the Savior’s birthplace, eventually heaven as Jesus had been teaching us these past Sundays.

We are now in the final installment of the teachings by Jesus about the coming End, of what must we do to gain eternal life. He is now halfway through his long journey to Jerusalem since he started eight Sundays ago.

Along the way, he had met every kind of people, proclaiming to them the same message – that the kingdom of God is at hand where everyone is welcomed like what Isaiah prophesied in the first reading.

Jesus passed through towns and villages, teaching as he went and making his way to Jerusalem. Someone asked him, “Lord, will only a few people be saved?” He answered them, “Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I tell you, will attempt to enter but will not be strong enough. After the master of the house had arisen and locked the door, then will you stand outside knocking and saying…” (Luke 13:22-25).

Photo by author, Angels’ Hills Retreat Center, Tagaytay City, April 2025.

In his teachings these past three Sundays, Jesus had been warning us against too much focus on things of the world that perish like material wealth, telling us to be more concerned of things of heaven that lead to eternal life. He had been clear that it would not be easy at all with the demands of being his disciples.

It was in this context that someone in the crowd asked Jesus today on his way to Jerusalem if only a few people would be saved. The question sounds very amusing not only because Jesus had always been clear that heaven does not come cheap as we must learn to renounce our self, take up his cross and follow him. That someone in the crowd who asked that question is actually us! And we know so well why until now we keep asking that same question: because we lack the discipline within to truly follow Christ. We always want what is easy and convenient, preferring shortcuts, avoiding sacrifices, as much as possible, no pains and sufferings. Hence, despite our knowing what it takes to gain eternal life, we still keep on doing the opposite.

It is the same with our physical well-being wherein we know so well what is healthy but we still keep doing, eating and drinking what is unhealthy. The sad truth of this lack of discipline in our body and soul is how we start shaping ourselves only when we are already sick and close to dying! That is when we feel sorry and start telling God like those in the parable that “we ate and drank in your company.”

Jesus had no intentions of dodging the question of that someone – and us in many occasions when we realize how difficult it is to follow his path of simplicity and humility, of love and kindness, of mercy and forgiveness. See how he neither gave a number nor a percentage of those who would be saved in the End. Jesus simply told the people including us today to do everything to make it into the Kingdom of God that is like a “narrow gate” and a “locked door”.

Following Jesus is more than being in his company but more of being like him. On this final Sunday of his teaching on the End, of entering the Kingdom of God in eternity, Jesus reminds us to shape up, body and soul so that we can squeeze ourselves into heaven’s “narrow gate” and “locked door”. Here we find again the second reading giving us more light into the meaning of the gospel this Sunday.

Brothers and sisters, you have also forgotten the exhortation addressed to you as children: “My son, do not disdain the discipline of the Lord or lose heart when reproved by him; for whom the Lord loves, he disciplines; he scourges every son he acknowledges.” Endure your trials as discipline… At the time, all discipline seems a cause not for joy but for pain, yet later it brings the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who are trained by it. So strengthen your drooping hands and your weak knees. Make straight the paths for your feet, that what is lame may not be dislocated but healed (Hebrews 12:5-7, 11-13).

Photo by Life Of Pix on Pexels.com

Discipline is a word so misunderstood these days that too often, it is frowned upon, even feared by many. In this age of so much “freedom” without any regard to “responsibility”, discipline has become its main casualty.

From the Latin verb discere which is “to learn” and “to follow”, its noun form disciplina means teaching or learning from which came the word discipulus for disciple, a follower or a pupil. Therefore, a person of discipline is one who follows or obeys teachings. Contrary to the wrong idea of many today that discipline limits freedom which they see as the ability to do whatever one wishes, the more disciplined a person is, the more free the person actually becomes!

When we discipline ourselves in every aspect of our lives like in food and drink intake, in using our time wisely, in budgeting our money and resources among other things, the more we become free to many other things in life. Remove discipline and do whatever you like in your life, eventually you become “unfree” because definitely you will miss your responsibilities and obligations like studies in school and duties at home and the office.

The same is true in our spiritual life: without discipline like prayer life, disorder and sin happen. It is discipline that literally and figuratively shapes us into persons able to squeeze through the narrow gate and locked door of freedom and salvation!

Photo by author, St. Catherine Monastery, Mt. Sinai, Egypt, May 2019.

In following the reflection of the author of Hebrews, we find that discipline is not just a human effort but the work of God too. As St. Augustine wrote, “grace builds on nature” – the more we discipline ourselves, the more blessed we become because God’s grace and gifts in us are perfected. See how discipline is like a built-in “app” God installed in each of us to ensure that we have all the means to reach heaven in Jesus Christ.

Looking back to the past four weeks, we find Jesus as the perfect example of a disciplined person, of leading a disciplined life focused on the mission from the Father. Since he started this long journey, Luke noted in chapter nine how Jesus was “resolutely determined” to go to Jerusalem, teaching us along the way to be like him focused on things of heaven than of earth, always vigilant of the coming End. Since the resumption of Sundays in Ordinary Time last July 06, Luke showed Jesus frequenting the synagogue on sabbath to worship and to preach. Most of all, Jesus prayed a lot which prompted his disciples to ask him to teach them how to pray too. Our celebrating the Sunday Mass in the church is a discipline of highest order because every Eucharistic celebration is a dress rehearsal of our entrance into heaven. Always come until we all gather together in eternity. Amen. Have a blessed and disciplined week ahead everyone. Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II, Our Lady of Fatima University, Valenzuela City (lordmychef@gmail.com).

Virtue of listening

Lord My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul, 07 August 2025
Wednesday, Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time, Year I
Numbers 20:1-13     <*((((>< + ><))))*>     Matthew 16:13-23
Photo by jonas mohamadi on Pexels.com
Lord Jesus Christ,
today I pray for the grace
and virtue of listening
especially in this world so filled
with noise with everyone
and everything speaking
even machines like cars
and elevators and phones;
how sad that photos about
listening are images 
of headphones and ear pods 
that are not totally about listening
which is more than hearing the sound
but also hearing the silence.
That is why 
listening is a virtue, 
a grace,
and an art.
Why, even prayer is listening!
And that is what we must pray more
these days that we learn to listen
more in order to truly pray,
hear your voice in silence.

The responsorial psalm 
says it so well this day,
"Today if you hear his voice,
harden not your hearts."

Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi and asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter said in reply, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus said to him in reply, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father” (Matthew 16:13-17).

You always ask us,
Jesus and we can easily
answer you when it concerns
other people
but when you ask us
personally,
when your question is
addressed as "YOU" -
we rarely can answer because
we do not listen both to you
and to ourselves.
Without listening,
we cannot answer and
follow you, Lord;
without listening,
we cannot obey you, Lord;
without listening,
we cannot stay and
and remain in you, Lord.
Yesterday in the Feast of
the Transfiguration,
the voice of the Father was
clearly heard,
telling us to listen to you,
O Lord Jesus,
his Chosen Son
(Luke 9:35)
and we still do not listen.
A 1311 painting of the Transfiguration by Italian artist Duccio di Buoninsegna from commons.wikimedia.org.
Why was only Peter able
to answer your question?
Maybe because he was the
only one who truly listened
and understood your question,
Lord; and maybe, he was the
only one who truly listened and
heard the answer from the
Father.
Even Moses refused to listen
to you, Lord when he struck twice
the rock at Meribah for water
contrary to your command that cost
his denial of entrance into the
Promised Land; 
forgive us, Jesus
for the many times we
have refused to listen
and failed to faithfully
do your work in the way
you want it be done;
forgive us, Jesus,
in listening more 
to the ways of the world
than to the ways of God.
Amen.

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

Life of a disciple, a follower

Lord My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul
Monday, Memorial of the First Martyrs of Rome, 30 June 2025
Genesis 18:16-33     <*((((><  +  ><))))*>     Matthew 8:18-22
Photo by author, Cabo Da Roca, Pundaqit, San Antonio, Zambales, 15 May 2025.
*Apostle, from "apostolein", 
to be sent forth;
Disciple, from "discipulous",
to follow.
A day after celebrating the
Solemnity of your Apostles
Saints Peter and Paul,
you gave us today Jesus the
memorial of the first martyrs
of the Holy Roman Church
who were killed during the reign
of Nero in 64 A.D.; many of them
were literally used as torches and
lamps when their mutilated bodies
were burned to light the city of Rome.
How inspiring, 
dear Jesus to hear their
story of witnessing their faith
in you at that time;
grant us the same courage today
to always follow you, Jesus,
to follow your footsteps by doing
your work and most specially,
in carrying your Cross;
let us seek sanctity regardless
of our social status, age or
skills.
Let us imitate Abraham in
the first reading who walked
with God, his visitors at Mamre;
like Abraham walking with you,
following you, Lord,
let us work more for the conversion
of others not their judgment;
in following you, Jesus,
let us think more of how to save
followers lost in their directions
in life; instead of leaving them behind
on their own in their evil ways,
may we appeal to God for their
conversion.
May we not be like
the two hesitant disciples
in today's gospel: though
willing to follow you, Jesus,
one was impulsive 
and the other was cautious;
give us courage to do a
sincere reality check today of our
discipleship in you:
help us bring back the joy
and zeal of following you,
Jesus when we started to heed
your call of discipleship;
let us dare again to leave the sides
to walk at the middle of the road 
following you Jesus even to the Cross;
help us bring back that desire
to go near you, Jesus,
to always seek you and follow you
by forgetting our selves;
and like Abraham,
let us be gracious always
to one another as your followers.
Amen.
Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II
Our Lady of Fatima University
Valenzuela City
First Martyrs of the Holy Roman Church photo from ucatholic.com.

Loving Jesus, following Jesus

Lord My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II
Friday in the Seventh Week of Easter, 06 June 2025
Acts 25:13-21     <*((((><  +  ><))))*>     John 21:15-19
Photo by author, Cabo Da Roca, Pundaquit, San Antonio, Zambales, 15 May 2025.
I love you, Lord
And I lift my voice
To worship you
Oh, my soul rejoice
Take joy my King
In what you hear
May it be a sweet, sweet sound
in your ear...
I just felt singing that lovely
song, Jesus as I prayed
on your words today;
felt so good,
so comforting,
especially if sang
at times like when everything
is flowing smoothly in life,
when obstacles are overcome,
when there is more joy than sadness,
more triumphs and success,
more healthy than sickly;
how easy it is to say
"I love you, Lord"
unless you Jesus asks us
"do you love me" thrice.

It is different when you
are the one asking the question,
Jesus because you know everything,
you know very well how imperfect
our love while at the same time you
know so well how we try hard
in loving you by forgetting
ourselves, following you and
carrying our Cross.
Give us the courage and
strength to say "I love you, Lord"
dear Jesus for it is only in first loving you
that we are able to follow you.
Amen.

Easter is Jesus personally knowing each of us

Lord My Chef Sunday Recipe by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II
Fourth Sunday in Easter, Cycle C, 11 May 2025
Acts 13:14, 43-52 ><}}}}*> Revelation 7:9, 14-17 ><}}}}*> John 10:27-30
The new Pope, Leo XIV, appears on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, 09 May 2025; photo from vaticannews.va

What a lovely fourth Sunday in Easter also known as “Good Shepherd Sunday” when we are blessed with a new Pope – Leo XIV – who will shepherd us into this modern time. Truly, Jesus Christ our Good Shepherd knows us so well that he did not make us wait long in having a new Pope in this troubled time.

Jesus said: “My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish” (John 10:27-28).

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

“I know them.” How lovely are these words of Jesus to us, his “sheep” especially for those going through a lot of trials and difficulties, for those feeling lost and empty, for those about to give up on life.

Let us dwell on his words “I know them”.

For the Jews and in the Bible, knowing is more of the heart than of the mind. Knowing a person is not just knowing one’s name but most of all of being in a personal relationship, an affinity with the person.

In declaring “I know them”, Jesus affirms how he personally regards each one as somebody dear to him, somebody close to him. We are all a somebody, a someone to Jesus whom he personally loves and cares for.

This we have seen among the people we have met in Lent like the apostles Peter, James and John during the transfiguration, the prodigal son, the woman caught in adultery. Or during the Holy Week like Judas who betrayed the Lord, Peter who denied Jesus thrice, Dimas the thief, the centurion who believed in him after his death on the Cross, John and the Blessed Mother at the foot of the Cross. They were all in their most difficult situations in life yet Jesus knew them so well that he assured them of his loving presence, lifting them up to move on with life.

Recall also the people we met this Easter Season like Mary Magdalene and companions early in the morning later followed by Peter and the beloved disciple who all found the tomb empty, the disciples at the upper room with locked doors that evening of Easter, the two disciples on the road to Emmaus, Thomas Didymus, the disciples led by Peter at breakfast with Jesus at the shore of Lake Tiberias. In their most joyous moments in life amid the darkness and emptiness, the doubts and unbelief or blindness following Easter, they were accompanied and joined by the Risen Lord to ensure and assure them that indeed he is alive and will always be with them.

In the same manner, think also of those moments in your own life of darkness and emptiness, whether negatively or positively, for better or for worse… who remained standing by your side?

Jesus. Only Jesus. And always Jesus. Because he knows us so well.

Jesus is truly the Good Shepherd who knows us so well even in these modern times where there are more vehicles and traffic, more disruptions to life yet he continues to shepherd us like the many shepherds still in many countries in Europe and the Middle East.

And that makes this passage most touching and refreshing because though times may have changed, Jesus has remained personally committed with each one of us. He keeps on looking for us, searching us, following us. Loving us most of all. But, are we present in Jesus?

Notice the four verbs in this short gospel we have today: ascribed to Jesus are the verbs “know” and “give” while to us the sheep, “hear” and “follow” where problems always happen. Do we “follow” what we “hear”? “To hear” is to recognize the authority and importance of the speaker’s words; it is to enter into a communion with him, to put oneself in his guidance, to “follow” him as his disciple.

Jesus speaks to us daily but nobody cares because right after waking up, most of us today look for our cellphone than pray! We are more interested with the “likes” and “followers” we have garnered from our previous posts. We are more enthralled with the seductive voices and images of social media that feed on our ego and senses, giving us false feelings of security and acceptance. We would rather be consumers than disciples who are called to sacrifice like the shepherd.

Photo of a sheep’s fleece by Dra. Mylene A. Santos, MD, 2022.

Though life has become more affluent these days, it has ironically become more empty and lost without direction because we just keep on having and possessing, consuming and ingesting everything the world offers that leave us guilty and empty because we cannot experience any sense of fulfillment and meaning.

How ironic that amid this pandemic of “obesity”, we fill ourselves mostly with trash and poison, literally and figuratively speaking that we feel so lost more than ever with so much time wasted and sadly, life and relationships thrown away. Everything has become more of the mind than of the heart with persons being commodified as things, everything seen in monetary terms, so utilitarian in nature.

Only Jesus “knows” us so well that is why only he “gives eternal life” as Peter exclaimed in this Saturday gospel in the third week of Easter, “Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and we are convinced that you are the Holy One of God” (Jn.6:68-69).

Unlike anybody, Jesus is the Son of God sent to gather us, to save us and to bring us closer to the Father so that no one among us shall perish. That is the plan of God fulfilled by Christ which we must continue like the apostles as we have heard in the first reading when Paul and Barnabas preached the Gospel of Jesus to the gentiles.

This Sunday, Jesus our Good Shepherd assures us, wherever we may be – in darkness and emptiness, or under the dark clouds of a thunderstorm, under a thatched roof of misery – that he knows us so well. He loves us.

Feel the warmth of Christ’s loving heart this Sunday by being present with your loved ones, the people you know so well like Jesus. Let us pray:

Lord Jesus,
you are our Good Shepherd
and we are your sheep;
only you know us so well,
only you can give us eternal life,
only you can keep us safe 
not to be snatched by anyone
like the corrupt and shallow candidates
running for office again this election;
give us the wisdom, courage and faith
to follow you and stand by you
like those elders in white garments
seen by John in his vision of heaven
in the second reading;
let us vote wisely,
let us not waste that power
you shared with us.
Amen.
Photo by Dra. Mylene A. Santos, MD, 2022.

Following Jesus, touching Jesus

The Lord Is My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II
Tuesday, Fourth Week in Ordinary Time, Year I, 04 February 2025
Hebrews 12:1-4     ><]]]]'>  +  ><]]]]'>  +  ><]]]]'>     Mark 5:21-43
Photo by author, sunrise at the Sea (Lake) of Galilee, the Holy Land, 18 May 2019.

When Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side, a large crowd gathered around him, and he stayed close to the sea (Mark 5:21).

Lord Jesus Christ:

How lovely to hear 
this story of your frequent crossing
of the sea to the other side
to reach out to more people
hungry and thirsty
for your words that comfort
and forgive, ease one's burdens
and most especially 
for your healing touch.

You always come to us,
Jesus, reaching out to us
when all we have to do is follow
you and as much as possible,
be near you to touch you
like that sick woman 
who touched your
clothe after Jairus
had begged you to come
to touch his sick and dying
daughter. 
That's all we have to do:
follow you,
be near you,
and touch you;
but, of the large
crowd there like today,
only one dared to touch you;
only one father 
had the courage to ask you
to come and lay your hands
on his daughter.
Photo by Dra. Mylene A. Santos, MD in France, 2023.
Give me Jesus
the courage to come to you,
to get near you
and touch you
with faith
and desire to meet you,
to speak to you,
to be with you;
take away my fears
of leaving the safety
of the sidewalks,
of walking the main street
that leads to your Cross
when in fact,
it was you who have
paid the price for me
by dying on the Cross.
Let the words
of the author of the Letter
to the Hebrews sink in me,
"In your struggle against sin
you have not yet resisted
to the point of shedding
 blood" (12:4)
because I am
 always afraid,
always hesitant
in following you,
in touching you.
Touch me, Jesus
so I may cross the sea
with you despite the storm
and giant waves;
touch me, Jesus
so I may cross the street
and walk beside you
in your arduous journey;
touch me, Jesus
so I may stand with you
at your Cross.
Amen.
Photo by author, Sacred Heart Novitiate, Novaliches, QC, 20 March 2024.