Being the light of Christ

Lord My Chef Sunday Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II
Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle A, 08 February 2026
Isaiah 58:7-10 ><}}}}*> 1 Corinthians 2:1-5 ><}}}}*> Matthew 5:13-16

*Photo by author, Carmelite Monastery, Guiguinto, Bulacan, 22 January 2026.*

We continue today Jesus Christ’s Sermon on the Mount that started last Sunday when he called “Blessed” are the poor in spirt, those who mourn, the meek, the hungry and thirsty for righteousness, the merciful, the clean of heart, the peacemakers, those persecuted and insulted falsely.

These blessed ones are not different kinds of persons but every disciple of Jesus Christ who is the truly Blessed One who is poor and meek, hungry and thirsty, merciful and clean of heart. Blessedness is an inner disposition, a being than doing.

And so this Sunday, Jesus reminds his disciples that include us today, of our dignity and responsibility in being blessed, as if telling us, “Blessed are you… You are the salt of the earth… You are the light of the world.”

We whom Jesus called “blessed” already possess the kingdom but in a hidden manner; that is why we as his disciples must make it shine upon the world in our lives, in our witnessing especially in this age that has turned away from God and holiness.

Jesus said to his disciples: “You are the salt of the earth… You are the light of the world. A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket; it is set on a lampstand, where it gives light to all in the house. Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father” (Matthew 5:13, 14-16).

*“Simeon’s Moment” by American illustrator Ron DiCianni. From* http://www.tapestryproductions.com

Last February two we celebrated the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord at the Temple that is also known as Candlemass or Candelaria where Simeon recognized the Child Jesus as the “light of the nations”.

It is one of the beautiful feasts we have with the blessing and lighting of candles outside the church; then, led by the priest, the people enter the church with lighted candles to signify Jesus Christ as our only light and fulfillment in this life.

Jesus asserts that this Sunday. The Bible itself teems with so many references of God being the source of light with Israel as bearer of that light. This explains our first reading today from the Prophet Isaiah:

Then your light shall break forth like the dawn, and your wound shall quickly be healed; your vindication shall go before you, and the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard. Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer, you shall cry for help, and he will say: Here I am! If you remove from your midst oppression, false accusations and malicious speech; if you bestow your bread on the hungry and satisfy the afflicted; then light shall rise for you in the darkness, and the gloom shall become for you like midday” (Isaiah 58:8-10).

So beautiful! And what a prophecy fulfilled in Christ that continues to happen today among us, his blessed ones as disciples!

To be a Christian especially nowadays is to be the bearer of the light of Christ, to illumine the darkness among us especially in this world that has become so fascinated with artificial lights like studio lights that emphasize and focus on men and women, on their fame and glory and wealth. How ironic that the more artificial lights we flood the world these days, the darker life becomes with more crimes, more abuses, and more emptiness and meaninglessness within us.

*Photo by author, Mt. St. Paul ?Retreat House, La Trinidad, Benguet, January 2025.*

Bringing the light of Christ, sharing his light is being holy, being good, being a blessed one, doing what is right, what is true, what is good as Isaiah reminded the people in the first reading.

Bringing the light of Christ, sharing his light is sharing Jesus to the world that we become the God’s answer to the cries and pleas of his people for mercy and justice, for healing and comfort.

Hence, bringing the light of Christ, sharing his light is actually to bring out Jesus within us who had come to us sacramentally in Baptism and continues to come to us in the Sacraments especially the Holy Eucharist we celebrate on Sundays.

Problem is we keep on hiding Jesus within us. This is why he calls us not to hide him like a lamp placed under a bushel basket but let him be like a lampstand that illumines the house.

We are the light of Jesus Christ who shines before others with our good deeds that make God known to others. Not the other way around. Young people call them as “performative” like performative couple, performative student or performative employee. They are all performance, all for the show or the content. Puro palabas, walang paloob kaya walang laman. These are the very ones that Jesus warned to “take care not to perform righteous deeds in order that people may see them” (Mt. 6:1) which we shall hear soon in Lent.

How sad that many people today have become “performative” – pakitang-tao as we say in Filipino who would go to great extent of publicizing everything they say and do like many of the so-called content creators and vloggers. This is most painfully true in the Church of priests and laypeople posting in social media everything they do or “perform” that are always empty of meaning and any sense at all.

Bringing the light of Christ, sharing his light always leads to God’s glory, not to us humans.

Let us keep in our hearts the words of St. Paul today in our second reading:

When I came to you, brothers and sisters, proclaiming the mystery of God, I did not come with sublimity of words or of wisdom. For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ, and him crucified (1 Corinthians 2:1-2).

*Photo by Architect Philip C. Santiago, Basilica of the Annunciation, Nazareth, Israel, October 2025.*

Being the light of Christ in the world is to bring Jesus Christ himself, not ourselves. It is being one in Jesus in his Cross where there is more of inner fulfillment and joy than mere success and happiness.

Being the light of Christ in the world is more than having all those quotable quotes and lofty proses and poetry nor of those grand plans and visions and programs left on paper but never materialized in reality.

Bringing the light of Christ in the world is being wounded and scarred by the Cross, always fading from the light so that only Jesus remains.

Like John the Baptist his Precursor, may his words be our prayer always: “Jesus must increase and I must decrease. Amen. Have an enlightening and illumining week ahead brothers and sisters in Christ!

Freedom and fidelity

Lord My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II
Thursday, Memorial of St. Agatha, Virgin & Martyr, 05 February 2026
1 Kings 2:1-4, 10-12 <*((((>< + ><))))*> Mark 6:7-13

*Photo by author, Taiwan, 15 February 2019.*

Thank you, dear God
our loving Father
for the gift of freedom
we often misinterpret
as doing whatever pleases us;
the prophets and kings of
Old Testament like David before
his death reminded everyone to
remain faithful to you, O God,
to always choose you and your ways
and commandments but since then
until now, we abuse our freedom
and still refuse to choose what is good,
refusing to follow and obey you,
O God.

When the time of David’s death drew near, he gave these instructions to his son Solomon: “I am going the way of all flesh. Take courage and be a man. Keep the mandate of the Lord, your God, following his ways and observing his statutes, commands, ordinances, and decrees as they are written in the law of Moses, that you may succeed in whatever you do, wherever you turn, and the Lord may fulfill the promise he made on my behalf….” (1 Kings 2:1-4).

We know what happened with
Solomon and the rest of all
their kings with a few exceptions:
they all turned away from you,
O God that disaster fell on them
not as your punishment
but as consequences
of their abuse of freedom;
teach us in Jesus Christ
who had come to show us the way
to true freedom by choosing you,
O God,
doing your will,
doing and being good
by being faithful.

How wonderful,
O God,
that despite our abuse
of freedom,
you have remained faithful
to us,
loving us,
forgiving us like King David,
and still calling us to follow
you in Christ Jesus;
let us trust you more
by choosing you and your ways,
letting go of our baggage
and other false securities
so we can travel light
and preach effectively,
totally free
 and faithful 
to you through others.

Through the intercession
of St. Agatha who witnessed
Christ and his gospel
at a very young age,
may we have the courage
to remain true to your call
and teachings.
Amen.

*Photo by author, Mt. St. Paul Retreat House, La Trinidad, Benguet, February 2020.*

Owning our sins & mistakes

Lord My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II
Wednesday, Fourth Week in Ordinary Time, Year II, 04 February 2026
2 Samuel 24:2, 9-17 <*((((>< + ><))))*> Mark 6:1-6

*Photo by author, Sakura trees in Taiwan, February 2019.*

God our loving 
and merciful Father:
teach us today to have
the courage and most of all
the maturity not only to say sorry
when we have sinned and erred
but most especially to admit and own
our sins and mistakes
like King David 
in today's first reading.

When David saw the angel who was striking the people, he said to the Lord: “It is I who have sinned; it is I, the shepherd, who have done wrong. But these are sheep; what have they done? Punish me and my kindred” (2 Samuel 24:17).

Teach us to grow in Jesus, 
dear Father because for as long
as we are blinded by our greatness
we measure in our stature 
and income, 
accomplishments
and accolades,
we shall always be like
King David in the first reading
believing only in our selves,
hiding in so many ways like
census the subtle arrogance
that rules our lives,
forgetting or disregarding
your grace and mercy in our
achievements in life that when
things go wrong, 
we blame others
and point fingers at everyone
except our selves.

Let us be true and sincere
dear Jesus today to
find where we put 
our security 
in our day to day living
so that we may also 
find where you, 
O God, sad to say,
"fit" into our lives
due to our lack of faith
in you.
Amen.

*Photo by author, Taiwan, February 2019.*

Candles to pray better

Quiet Storm by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II, 03 February 2026

One of the Christmas gifts I have received last year was a scented candle personally made by one of our nurses who accompanies me in visiting our patients on Sundays.

Though I had already thanked her when she handed me her gift last Christmas, I had to thank her again last Sunday because I had it unboxed only recently. Most of all, because I loved it so much as I light candles on my altar when praying.

Yesterday was the Feast of the Presentation of Jesus to the Temple (February 2) also known as the Feast of the Candlemass wherein candles were blessed outside the church after which the people led by the priest enters to begin the Mass in a procession with lighted candles.

Candlemass is a beautiful celebration, especially when done properly by priests. Its origin dates back to more than 1500 years ago in France where it started when people incorporated the blessing of candles into the Feast of the Presentation then known with its Eastern title as “the Encounter” to refer to how Simeon with the Prophetess Anna met the child Jesus being offered by his parents Joseph and Mary to the temple 40 days after Christmas.

According to St. Luke, Simeon sang the following upon meeting the child Jesus Christ.

“Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in sight of all the peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel” (Luke 2:29-32).

In proclaiming Jesus Christ as the “light” of salvation for the nations, the early French Christians thought of having the blessing of candles and procession of lighted candles to signify Jesus as the only and true light of the world. Hence, it came to be known also as “Candlemass” or Candelaria in the Spanish-speaking countries.

Although candles are no longer used as a major source of lighting in homes and other places, it is still used in almost all churches, monasteries and other houses of worship around the world, gaining a renewed popularity lately among the younger generation. It is a most welcomed development in our modern time as more and more people are rediscovering the need for spiritual growth of whatever label. And right in the midst of this is the candle as a tool for better prayer periods.

Unfortunately, this beautiful tradition of the candles is dying in our country. How ironic that we who belong to the Third World have switched to electric vigil lamps and candles while those in the First World still use the traditional candles in their homes and churches.

*Photo by author, Jerusalem, April 2017.*

How I envy churches in North America and Europe with their plethora of all kinds of candles used and sold even in the simplest churches and stores! During a Holy Land pilgrimage in the 2017 Easter Season, one of the things I appreciated and admired next to the pilgrim sites were the lovely and regal designs of paschal candles in the churches we visited that made me wonder why nobody makes them here in our predominantly Catholic country.

Candles have always have a special place in the life of our faith and the Church since its early beginnings. From the Latin words candere and candela that mean “to shine”, it evolved into the Middle and Old English words candele and candel.

Aside from lighting the gatherings of the early Christians especially in the catacombs to evade arrests during the persecution, candles have always been used to signify Christ as the light of the world guiding our paths as Christians in every celebration, from Baptism to Weddings and Funerals.

Candles do not only make rooms shine but most especially the souls and the hearts of those who cultivate a prayer life. It has that unique warmth that can soothe and calm those who are agitated or worried with life’s many trials and challenges.

Every time we light a candle during prayer periods, our inner selves are made brighter as they evoke in us so much feelings of the Divine presence. Their little lights that flicker remind us of our feeble selves whose life could be easily snuffed out with a single blow.

The scent of burning candle permeates our senses, calming us within, inviting us to leave all our worries in life as we lay our cards out in the open to God. A candles warmth can dissolve every hardness within us, purifying us within and becoming empty and open for God’s grace to work in us.

In a sense, candles may be considered as a sacrament too which is defined as a visible sign with invisible power.

The very act of lighting a candle is already the start of prayer, something like the making of the sign of the Cross. I strongly recommend for those who wish to aid their prayer periods with candles to use matches not lighters that are artificial.

Lighting a candle for prayer especially in the morning can rouse our senses. The striking of the match with its sudden burst of light to kindle the candle is like an angel had suddenly come down to assure us that our prayer is heard by God, that God is with us at the very moment or at least reminds us we have turned into the mode of praying.

The strong scent of the burning matchstick also adds flavor and aroma to the prayer period especially in the early morning when the whole world is still dark and everyone still asleep with you as the only one awake with God.

Lighting a candle first thing first upon waking up can help us avoid from getting our cellphones or turning on the radio or the TV. A lighted candle can prevent us from being distracted by these modern gadgets that keep us away from God and from one another.

Lighting a candle during a prayer period in our room or home works like the candlelight dinner that sets us to a lovely communion with God our beloved. The slow burning of a candle reminds us even in our busiest morning that we are at prayer in the presence of God, that we need to slow down too in our lives, to be conscious of our selves, surroundings and time so we can set our sights to God alone like a beloved in a candlelight dinner date.

At night time, the sight of the candle burning in one’s room is most dramatic as we close the day. Actually, it is during night time that the Church prays the Canticle of Simeon.

*A painting of Simeon with the Child Jesus from the dailyprayerblog.blogspot.com*

Imagine that scene at the temple when Simeon sang as he held the Child Jesus in his arms – of his readiness to die, to go in peace, after seeing Christ the light of salvation. In the darkness of the night punctuated only by a burning candle, we are able to examine our hearts of the many things we have done and failed to do the whole day. These become clearer in the light of the candle that penetrates our hearts and conscience, piercing and rending our souls to remove the darkness within us, exposing the festering anger or bitterness and sadness hiding inside, melting them away with its warmth so we may go to sleep clean and ready to continue with life – here or hereafter like Simeon.

One last note about candles as we end this reflection.

Monks use a candle snuffer in extinguishing candles in their chapels and monasteries. These are long metal instruments with tips like a bell that monks hover above a candle, slowly covering it until its light is snuffed out, hence, the name candle snuffer.

*My candle snuffer at the foreground of my altar.*

If you want to be serious in praying better with lighted candles, you may buy those small candle snuffers for home use available at some candle shops in the malls. If there is no candle snuffer, one may use the cover of the candle to snuff out the light. What is important is that as we close our prayers with the lighted candle as companion, we don’t simply blow its light to abruptly end its glow.

When blowing the candle used in prayer, do it slowly as if you are whispering. Do it with solemnity.

Every candle used at prayer becomes blessed, demanding some sort of reverence as companions in our prayer life and journey. Of course, it would be good if you can have your candles blessed by the priest for use at home to ward off negative vibes but more important than that is we grow in our prayer life, we become like lighted candles who give light to others in Christ. Like our candles, we also become a prayer to God in our very selves. Amen. Have a blessed week.

Praying with Bono and U2

Lord My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II
Friday, Third Week in Ordinary Time, Year II, 30 January 2026
2 Samuel 11:1-4, 5-10, 13-17 <*((((>< + ><))))*> Mark 4:26-34

*Photo by author, Museo Valenzuela & the National Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima, Valenzuela City, 21 January 2026.*


Thank you Lord Jesus
for the Friday break,
the penultimate day of this month
of January 2026;
it was a heavy week 
and a very long month 
for most of us we thought
would never end.

We are thankful Lord
today because we are still
with you with many of us
struggling in our prayer lives,
persevering in being good
and everything like being king
and understanding and forgiving;
indeed, like your parable today,
everything good begins so small
like the seed scattered in the field
that sprout and grow while the farmer
sleeps and rises night and day
without really knowing how;
but that is how it is also with
sin and evil that always begins
so small, so subtle 
like in the experience of
David in the first reading: 
he had been complacent
in his life falling into temptations
of lust that led into murder.

Dear Jesus,
remind us always 
to never take little things
for granted -
whether small deeds that
lead to holiness or small
sins that may leave us stuck in 
a moment we can't get out of
according to Bono of U2:

You've got to get yourself together
You've got stuck in a moment
And now you can't get out of it
Don't say that later will be better
Now you're stuck in a moment
And you can't get out of it

We pray, Lord Jesus
for those feeling stuck in 
a moment or a sin or a vice
or a relationship that they can't
get out of;
give them the courage to quit
and return to you,
even little by little.
Amen.

*I know what you are thinking but this is a good piece from U2's 2000 album "All That You Can't Leave Behind"... it might help you pray better.

From Youtube.com

Who’s in, who’s out?

Lord My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II
Tuesday, Third Week in Ordinary Time, Year II, 27 January 2026
2 Samuel 6:12-15, 17-19 <*{{{{>< +++ ><}}}}*> Mark 3:31-35

*Photo by author, Sacred Heart Novitiate, Novaliches, QC, August 2017.*

Your words today
are very interesting,
God our loving Father:
both the first reading and
the gospel show us a setting
of people gathered, inside and outside
a circle of crowd; but, what makes it
so interesting is the fact that more
than the location of being "inside"
and "outside" in any setting especially
in gathering and in coming to you,
what truly matters most is our action,
of what are we doing because many times,
we may be "inside" without doing your will
while be "outside" doing your will.

The mother of Jesus and his brothers arrived. Standing outside they sent word to Jesus and called him. A crowd seated around him told him, “Your mother and your brothers and your sisters are outside for you.” But he said to them in reply, “Who are my mother and my brothers?” And looking around at those seated in the circle he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother” (Mark 3:31-35).

Thank you dear Jesus
for coming to us,
bringing us closer to you,
to God our Father,
and most especially with everyone;
how sad at times when we
are seated right in your circle
yet too far from you and others
because we are away from your will,
from your very self, from your works;
it does not really matter wherever we
are seated but where we stand in you
and with you in doing the will of God.

Teach us to imitate King David
who rejoiced triumphantly in the 
arrival of the Ark of the Covenant
where he was closest to God's presence
not because of the Ark but most because
of his care for the people around 
to whom "he distributed to each man
and each woman in the entire multitude
of Israel, a loaf of bread, a cut of roast
meat, and a raising cake" (2Samuel 6:19).

Let us come
to you,
in you,
and through you, dear Jesus
in holy communion
welcoming everyone
with our loving service
so that no one may feel far
and outside from you
and one another.
Amen.

Jesus our Light

Lord My Chef Sunday Recipe by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II
Third Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle A, 25 January 2026
Isaiah 8:23-9:3 ><}}}}*> 1 Corinthians 1:10-13.17 ><}}}}*> Matthew 4:12-23

*Photo by author, sunrise at the Lake of Galilee, the Holy Land, May 2019.*

More than a month ago at the Midnight Mass of Christmas we have heard this Sunday’s first reading, that beautiful prophecy by Isaiah fulfilled in Jesus Christ’s coming.

First the Lord degraded the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali; but in the end he has glorified the seaward road, the land west of Jordan, the district of the Gentiles. Anguish has taken wing, dispelled is darkness: for there is no gloom where but now there was distress. The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom a light has shone (Isaiah 8:23-9:1).

When Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee. He left Nazareth and went to live in Capernaum by the sea, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali, that what had been said through Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled… (Matthew 4:12-14).

As we move forward into Ordinary Time, we hear anew one of the most beautiful promises in the Old Testament of how the coming of the Christ is the “breaking of dawn of salvation” as Zechariah sang in his Benedictus after naming his son “John” when light bursts forth to dispel the darkness that had enveloped us for a long time.

*Photo by author, sunrise at the Lake of Galilee, the Holy Land, May 2017.*

Notice that it is those who live and walk in darkness literally and figuratively speaking are always the first to come forward into the light like the people in Galilee at that time, especially the towns of Zebulun and Naphtali who were actually names of Jacob’s two other sons. Their tribes settled in that area of Galilee that was at the border with other pagan countries always subjected to wars and conflicts with foreigners. Their lands were literally in the dark, never at peace as if forsaken.

Here lies the good news of this Sunday: after hearing the news of John’s arrest, Jesus launched his public ministry. Notice how plain and simple was Matthew’s narration, “When Jesus heard that John had been arrested” – it was another period of darkness for the people with rampant violence and injustice. However, it was not totally dark at all: see how Jesus withdrew to Galilee; Christ’s “withdrawing” to Galilee was not something negative but actually more of a positive development. Jesus chose to begin his ministry in that forsaken province of Galilee to show his love and concern for the people long forgotten. Remember how at that time that Jerusalem was the center of everything, something like an “imperial Manila” we call these days.

Here we find again that imagery of Jesus like in his birth that happened during the darkest night of the year that 30 years later, he chose to go to the darkest region of Israel to bring light of salvation to everyone. Jesus comes to us most in moment of darkness in our lives! When we are troubled by sins and problems, never lose that spark within for Christ had come, is coming and continues to come to us! Matthew mentioned this prophecy of Isaiah of the great light shining in the land of gloom not really for his readers then and now to remember what God had done in the past but to make us all aware always that God continues to send us his Son Jesus in these dark moments of our lives. In telling us how Jesus began his ministry by withdrawing to Galilee in the land of Zebulun and Naphtali, Matthew wants us to be aware of what God has done for us, of giving us Jesus, the true Light of the world right into the many darkness we are going through in life today.

More than the news overseas that we have heard like wars and the breaking apart of world peace and order with America suddenly flexing its muscles to remind everyone they are still great and powerful or the very frustrating corrupt lawmakers of the country, we are all in some form of being in the midst of darkness in our personal lives too like a sick loved one or a problematic brother or sister.

*Photo by author, San Juan, La Union, 08 January 2026.*

God has delivered us from slaveries of sin and selfishness in Christ’s coming and presence among us. Surely there would always be darkness and shadows in our lives this 2026 but Jesus is telling us today in his withdrawing to Galilee after hearing John’s arrest that we need to get out of our own darkness! There is no more darkness in Christ’s coming; it is us who have darkened our lives with our selfish interests like the quarrels and animosities against one another that St. Paul warned against in the second reading.

Every time we destroy our unity, our oneness, we plunge ourselves into darkness. Whenever we refuse to bow down, when we refuse to give way, when we refuse to forgive even forgo or let go of others inanities, we go back to darkness. Inasmuch as Jesus Christ is the great light who shone on the many darkness of our lives, he is calling us like the first four disciples to bring his light to others.

Was it really that easy for the brothers Simon and Andrew, especially brothers James and John to immediately leave behind their livelihood and father so easily for Jesus? Not really. Matthew need not go into details about their call and conversion because most likely, they went through the same stages we have gone through or going through right now as we pray and reflect about our life direction. Like us today, Simon and Andrew, James and John experienced burn out, searching for meaning in life that after listening to the words of Jesus, they felt and saw him as the light enlightening everything for them. They saw in Jesus their lives and very person getting clearer that they decided to follow him and become fishers of men.

How far are we willing to repent and be converted in the light of Christ to start anew living in the land of loving God, self, and others?

*Photo by author, Bolinao, Pangasinan, 19 April 2022.*

I have always loved sunrise. Though sunsets are more colorful and dramatic like a spectacular show called palabas in Filipino, sunrise is different: it is more of paloob, an inside movement that is subtle yet intense when light steals into shadows as the sun is gradually breaking open the darkness to reveal what is unseen.

That is why our Filipino term for sunrise is more evocative of its deeper meaning as pagbubukang liwayway which literally means breaking of dawn. Every morning person (madrugeño in Spanish) knows so well those feelings of being up before sunrise, of exactly catching the breaking of dawn that is always joyful and liberating with a certain kind of lightness and relief from deep within because another day is given us.

Maybe it is a carry over with my having worked for three years in the graveyard shift covering the police beat while still working at GMA News in the late 1980’s. But more recently, I feel that imagery of coming forward into the light resonates most after a good confession when we deeply realize God’s immense love, that God is not that really angry at all with us because of our sins, that there is a bright light to always look forward in this life amid all the darkness and shadows enveloping us.

Today is the National Bible Sunday. It is when we prayerfully read the Sacred Scriptures everyday that we see the light of Christ in our selves, in our lives. The more we pray the Scriptures, the more we are enlightened, the more we are filled with the light of Christ that enables us to see too his light on the face of those we meet daily. Let us step out of our darkness in life this Sunday and everyday to henceforth experience and share Christ. Amen. Have a blessed, enlightening week ahead!

Respect & Betrayal

Lord My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II
Friday in the Second Week of Ordinary Time, Year II, 23 January 2026
1 Samuel 24:3-21 ><))))*> + ><))))*> + ><))))*> Mark 3:13-19

In this time of too much
violence not only in media 
but in real life especially those 
we witness and experience 
in ordinary streets near and far
from our places of comfort
to those larger than life violence
taking place in the high seas and
other countries, may your words today
remind us, our dear loving Father 
to imitate David your servant of old.

David also stepped out of the cave, calling to Saul, “My lord the king!” When Saul looked back, David bowed to the ground in homage and asked Saul: “Why do you listen to those who say, ‘David is trying to harm you’? You see for yourself today that the Lord just now delivered you into my grasp in the cave. I had some thought of killing you, but I took pity on you instead. I decided, ‘I will not raise a hand against my lord, for he is the Lord’s anointed and a father to me.’ Look here at this end of your mantle which I hold. Since I cut off an end of your mantle and did not kill you, see and be convinced that I plan no harm and no rebellion. I have done you no wrong, though you are hunting me down to take my life” (1 Samuel 24:9-12).

Teach us, dear Father,
to show respect to your
anointed leaders among us,
from our family and home 
into our leaders in school,
office and work, government
and the church; despite their
flaws and even abuses, help us
to transcend these and try to find
your favor in giving them to us;
may we pray for them to be more
reasonable, just and fair in the
exercise of their office and position.

Teach us, dear Father,
to look anew to them repeatedly
and try to find your image in them;
may Jesus be the main factor 
we must consider in obeying them,
respecting them, and in recognizing
their power and authority;
may we not resort to violence
often preceded by betrayals
perpetrated by those supposed
to be closest to those in authority.
Amen.

*Photo by author, Dominican Hill, Baguio City, January 2019.*

Bless our hands, Lord

Lord My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II
Wednesday, Memorial of St. Agnes, Virgin & Martyr, 21 January 2026
1 Samuel 17:32-33, 37, 40-51 <*((((>< + ><))))*> Mark 3:1-6

*Photo by Titouan Jullien on Pexels.com*

Today, I thank you
dear God our Father
for the gift of our hands,
our hands that touch and hold
others dear to us,
hands that keep joyful things
closest to us,
hands that openly receive so
much from you and from others,
hands that cover our face and
protect our selves from harm,
hands that move freely
to do so many things
and enable us enjoy freedom;
forgive us Father when these
same hands you have blessed
to feed us and keep us warm
are the same hands we hurt 
others, the same hands we close
to refuse friendship and goodwill
of others; the same hands that
make us unfree in taking what is
not ours and committing so many sins.

Bless our hands,
Jesus, like what you did
to that man with withered hand;
let us stretch our hand, Jesus
to touch and help others in need;
open our hands, Jesus
to receive and to share you;
like David slaying Goliath,
use our hands, Lord,
small and feeble they may be
to do your will and proclaim
your power and greatness;
may our hands be your hands, 
Jesus, regardless of our youth
like St. Agnes 
whom we remember today,
the little hands that hold on
to you in deep faith,
the little hands that spread
your gospel of love and justice. 
Amen.