The Lord Is My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II
Tuesday, Memorial of St. Anthony Claret, Bishop, 24 October 2023
Romans 5:12, 15, 17-19 <*((((>< + ><))))*> Luke 12:35-38
Photo by author at Forest Lodge, Camp John Hay, Baguio City, 12 July 2023.
Praise and glory
to you, God our Father!
So true are the words of
St. Paul everyday, "Where sin
increased, grace overflowed
all the more, so that, as sin
reigned in death, grace also
might reign through justification
for eternal life through
Jesus Christ our Lord"
(Romans 5:20-21).
Every day you bless us,
dear God in Jesus Christ
with the gift of forgiveness
in every present moment
to start anew and be free
from bondage to sin
and be free to do what is good,
to become a better person,
a better witness of your
grace of forgiveness,
prepared "like servants
who gird their loins and
light their lamp" awaiting his
return with our good deeds
amid all the evil and sin that
persist including death.
Though it is very sad
especially when we turn on the TV
or read in papers all those news
and images of wars and atrocities
that show the reality of how
humanity is still in solidarity
with Adam in our sinful ways,
may we always remember that
sin and death have no more
control over us; the death
is no longer the end we all fear
because it is no longer an end
but a beginning of something better
with Jesus who had overcome it
with his gift of forgiveness in every
here and now,
in every present
that assures us with eternal life.
May we not waste every
present that is a gift.
Amen.
The Lord Is My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II
Thursday in the Twenty-Eighth Week of Ordinary Time, Year I, 19 October 2023
Romans 3:21-30 ><))))*> + ><))))*> + ><))))*> Luke 11:47-54
Photo by author, Makati sunset from Antipolo City, August 2022.
Your words today,
O God, invite us to look
deeper into your "righteousness"
which is beyond measure
for it is your way of being God -
your are kindness,
your are righteousness,
your are uprightness
that you justified us all
by acquitting us of our sins through
your Son Jesus Christ.
It was not that simple,
Father, when after you have
justified us in Jesus,
you went further in making us
a new creation in Christ
by setting us free from
the bondage of sin.
And there lies the beauty
and challenge of your righteousness:
you have made everything possible
for us to be better persons assured of
heaven but are we willing to take
and treasure that gift that calls
for commitment and responsibility?
What occasion is there then for boasting? It is ruled out. On what principle: That of works? No, rather on the principle of faith. For we consider that a person is justified by faith apart from the works of law… for God is one and will justify the circumcised on the basis of faith and the uncircumcised through faith.
Romans 3:27-28, 30
Forgive us, God,
for being so proud,
of putting too much premium
on economic achievements
as benchmark of success;
forgive us for being so proud
of being able to do
and have everything
in this world forgetting
that the entire humanity is
utterly dependent on you for
salvation and fulfillment and life;
most of all, that nothing we do is
accomplished apart from your
grace, Father.
Keep us humble and simple,
keenly awaiting Christ's daily coming
so we may walk with him
and lead others to him too
unlike the scribes and Pharisees
who have "taken away the key of
knowledge, refusing to enter
God's kingdom and worst, stopped
those trying to enter" (Lk. 11:52).
Amen.
lordmychef.com 