When we do not know what “we want”

The Lord Is My Chef Sunday Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II
Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle B, 20 October 2024
Isaiah 53:10-11 ><}}}}*> Hebrews 4:14-16 ><}}}}*> Mark 10:35-45

The Jewish Cemetery of Mount of Olives facing the Eastern Gate of Jerusalem where the Messiah is believed would pass through when He comes, exactly where Jesus entered on Palm Sunday over 2000 years ago (photo by author taken in May 2019).

Jesus Christ’s three predictions of His coming Passion, Death, and Resurrection punctuate Mark’s narration of the Lord’s journey to Jerusalem. They were already fast approaching Jerusalem when Jesus revealed His third prediction of His Pasch to His followers.

According to Mark, the Twelve and the crowd were “amazed and were afraid” after hearing for the third time Christ’s coming Passion, Death, and Resurrection.

*Photo by author, Via Dolorosa in Jerusalem, April 2017.*

And this was the prevailing mood among the followers of the Lord as they approached Jerusalem; beginning today and next Sunday, Mark reminds us of the need to have a clear sight and understanding of Jesus and His mission so that we may not be blinded by fame and glory in following Him like the brothers James and John:

James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Jesus and said to him, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” He replied, “What do you wish me to do for you?” They answered him, “Grant that in your glory we may sit one at your right and the other at your left.” Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking… but to sit at my right or at my left is not mine to give but is for those for whom it has been prepared” (Mark 10:35-38, 40).

Jesus said to them, 
"You do not know what you are asking."

*Photo by author, Betania Tagaytay, 2018.*

Whoa…! We might all exclaim with some indignation like the other ten Apostles upon hearing this request by James and John, two of the most intimate friends of Jesus with Simon Peter.

Were they trying to ease their worries and fears that they made the request without thinking it so well, a case of mema, me masabi lang? Or, do they really understand nothing at all of the Lord’s teachings especially last Sunday of the need to let go of our possessions to enter eternal life?

Whatever may be the reason, we could just imagine the treachery of the two who left the group behind, trying not to be noticed by the ten, and approached Jesus who was walking ahead. They have both belittled Jesus who reads the minds and the hearts of everyone. And most sad is the fact that many times, we too act like James and John.

Oh yes! We know so well of the sufferings and trials, of the “cup we have to drink and baptism we have to undergo” Jesus told the brothers. Very much like the two, we also know Christ always triumphs! Jesus never fails!

And that’s the crux of the matter here not only with James and John but with us: we bet on Jesus like in gambling casinos for we know Jesus wins all the time, hoping for some rewards following His glory.

James and John like us today believed so much in Jesus that despite His coming Passion and Death, they knew as we do that He would rise again and be King. Long before the Passion of Jesus had begun, still far from entering Jerusalem, James and John were already betting on the success and glory of Christ because they wanted a guarantee of a reward. It was a sort reminding Jesus they have always been with Him since the beginning like Peter last Sunday who bragged about having left everything to follow Him.

Are we not like them? It is the same attitude found among many of us not only in politics and government but even at home, in school and offices, or the church! Be the first to register to make it known how well qualified we are for commendations and rewards simply because of being in the company of every journey or advocacy or struggle.

It is the tragedy that happens even in our faith journey as Christians when we are blinded by so many worldly things about Jesus whom we see merely as a miracle-worker or worst, an ATM who never runs out of cash. We believe in Jesus as the Son of God, all-powerful and merciful who can do everything, especially the impossible as He had assured us last Sunday but many times, we do not know what we are asking like James and John.

When the ten heard this, they became indignant at James and John. Jesus summoned them and said to them, “You know that those who are recognized as rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones make their authority over them felt. But it shall not be with so among you. Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you you will be slave of all. For the Son of God did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:41-45).

*Photo by author, wailing wall of Jerusalem, May 2019.*

Jesus clarifies today with us that His glory has nothing in common whatsoever with those things we gain here on earth by claiming our rights or resorting to undue favors, by competing with others to get the better of them or even push them away or step on them to crush them for us to be on top.

We cannot be Christ’s disciples if we are preoccupied with rewards. We serve Jesus because we love that we want to be with Him in eternal life. And in loving Him, we serve lovingly others without expecting anything in return simply because we love.

See how in calling together the Twelve, Jesus reminded them and us today of His central teaching of becoming like a child, confidently entrusting everything into the Father’s hands, exactly like Him, the Suffering Servant of God referred to by the Prophet Isaiah in the first reading who “gave his life as a ransom for many” (Mk.10:45).

Jesus reminds us this Sunday that love alone – like His self-sacrificing love on the Cross – is the basis of our relationships with each other, unlike the world where relations are based on power and domination.

Noteworthy too is the reminder of the author of the Letter to the Hebrews today about Jesus our High Priest who entered the sanctuary of heaven through the Cross so that we may be saved and receive mercy from the Father.

What else do we want Jesus to do for us when He had done everything for our salvation? Let us pray for a clearer vision of Jesus, to always see and find Him in our lives so that we desire only Him and share only Him. And follow Him like the blind Bartimaeus next Sunday. Amen. Have a blessed week ahead!

Only One

The Lord Is My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II
Friday, Feast of St. Luke, Evangelist, 18 October 2024
2 Timothy 4:10-17 <*((((>< + ><))))*> Luke 10:1-9

*Photo by Dra. Mylene A. Santos, MD, an orange-bellied flowerpecker (Dicaeum trigonostigma), December 2023.*

Beloved: Demas, enamored of the present world, deserted me and went to Thessalonica, Crescens to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia. Luke is the only one with me… (2 Timothy 4:10-11).

Lord Jesus Christ,
I pray on this beautiful Friday
for those friends and dearest
ones who are like St. Luke to me:
"the only one with me"
in my moments of darkness,
of trials and sufferings,
when everyone was so busy
and never noticed me,
of my need for company
and comfort,
most especially
who reminded me 
of your fidelity 
and love.

Thank you, Jesus
for those people You
sent me like St. Luke,
"the only one with me"
in prayers as I journeyed 
through life's many adventures
and misadventures;
"the only with me"
who readily saw my points
of view;
"the only one with me"
who cheered me up
and let me cry;
"the only one with me"
in poverty;
"the only one with me"
who truly sought to understand
everything to bring out
the best in me,
to find the Christ in me.

O dear Jesus,
I pray for the other
St. Lukes You send us daily,
"the only ones" who care
and stand for women and children
still taken for granted in this world;
"the only ones" who work 
to uplift the marginalized like
the poor and widows,
the sick and those old
people living alone and dying;
most especially,
"the only ones"
still believing in You
and your Church,
still praying and
still proclaiming
your Gospel,
still remaining in Your side
amid the many lures
of this selfish, 
and godless world.
Amen.

Led by the Holy Spirit

The Lord Is My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II
Wednesday in the Twenty-eighth Week of Ordinary Time Year II, 16 October 2024
Galatians 5:18-25 ><))))*> + ><))))*> + ><))))*> Luke 11:42-46

*Photo by author, Fatima Ave., Valenzuela City, 25 July 2024.*

Lead and guide us,
O Most Holy Spirit;
set us free from "the works
of the flesh: immorality,
impurity, licentiousness,
idolatry, sorcery, hatreds,
rivalry, jealousy, outbursts of fury,
acts of selfishness, dissensions,
factions" (Galatians 5:19-20);
cleanse our nation now facing
the realities of the truth of what we
have long suspected of filth and evil
that have shrouded the past 
administration's drug war;
so many lives were lost
and destroyed not only by
the deaths but all the lies
that were glorified;
be the courage and strength,
O Holy Spirit, of those finally
given the chance to stand for what is true
so that never again such reign of
darkness and terror be repeated.

Woe to us
and everyone who continue
to overlook the good of others!

Let your Spirit, dear Jesus,
bear fruit in us with "love, joy,
peace, patience, kindness, generosity,
faithfulness, gentleness, self-control"
(Galatians 5:22-23); fills us with your
Spirit today, Jesus, so we may be
more loving, thinking always of the
good of others above all.
Amen.

Faith working through love

The Lord Is My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II
Tuesday, Memorial of St. Teresa of Avila, Virgin & Doctor of the Church, 15 October 2024
Galatians 5:1-6 ><]]]]'> + ><]]]]'> + ><]]]]'> Luke 11:37-41

*Photo by author, somewhere in Pampanga, August 2024.*

What a wonderful Saint 
You have gifted us today,
dear Jesus in St. Teresa of Avila;
what a wonderful saint
we need so much these days 
to guide us in your Church,
one who has "faith working 
through love" (Galatians 5:6).

In this time when people
laugh at our traditions of old,
when liberalism is so adored,
modern thoughts highly praised
and so embraced that many of us
are so concerned in "cleansing the outside
of the cup and dish while inside us are
filled with plunder and evil" and pride,
so highly speaking of freedom, inclusivity
and sensitivity that in the process
we forget You, Jesus;
like St. Teresa of Avila,
lead us back to our faith
working through love that seeks
You in deep prayer by detaching
ourselves from the trappings of
this modern world like social media's
very alluring style of story-telling
that's empty inside because
of all outside as "palabas" -
one big show,
a circus.

We pray to You, Jesus,
through St. Teresa of Avila
for the grace of a contemplative spirit
in a world so active that frees us
from the slavery of one's own passions
and fantasies so that we can be
more free to become a loving person
who sees You in others we must serve.
Amen.

*Photo by author, 21 August 2024, St. Scholastica Spirituality Center, Tagaytay City.*

Evil generation

The Lord Is My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II
Monday in the Twenty-eighth Week of Ordinary Time, Year II, 14 October 2024
Galatians 4:22-24, 26-27, 31-5:1 <*((((>< + ><))))*> Luke 11:29-32

*Photo by Ms. April Oliveros at Mt. Pulag, March 2023.*

While still more people gathered in the crowd, Jesus said to them, “This is generation is an evil generation; it seeks a sign, but no sign will be given it, except the sign of Jonah… and there is something greater than Jonah here” (Luke 11:29, 32).

Your words today,
O Lord Jesus are so striking - 
so destabilizing on a Monday
morning but looking back 
to our lives,
we deserve them
because they are true!

More than the evil
of the sins we have committed
that have hurt us all,
strained our relationships,
and destroyed our environment
is the evil of our continued 
disregard for You;
if sin is a turning away from
You, dear Jesus,
more evil is our rejection
of You like those people
in your time.

How sad until now
we keep on seeking signs
of God's presence among us,
of God's love and mercy for us
without realizing You are
God-is-with-us, 
the Emmanuel.

Worst than our sins
against each other and You
Jesus is our refusal to recognize
You because we cannot let go
of our own convictions that are
self-centered and self-serving,
thinking it is freedom.

Forgive us, Jesus
in our never-ending lists
of signs we ask from You
to prove us your love,
your presence,
your approval 
not realizing that the life
we now have, 
and continue to waste,
is more than enough of
your loving presence.


Let us realize, Jesus,
as St. Paul reminds us in the
first reading today
that You have come to set us
free from the slavery of sin
and evil in order to be free to
love and be faithful to You.
Amen.

Jesus “looking with love”

The Lord Is My Chef Sunday Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II
Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle B, 13 October 2024
Wisdom 7:7-11 ><}}}}*> Hebrews 4:12-13 ><}}}}*> Mark 10:17-30

Lately in my prayers I have felt so drawn on the “face” of Jesus, trying to imagine and feel how He looked at the various people He met in the gospel accounts. Most of all, of how Jesus looks at us too (https://lordmychef.com/2024/10/09/to-his-face/).

Consider our gospel this Sunday that shows us how Jesus has that “look of love” to everyone. No matter how bad and sinful we may be, He is full of love and mercy, compassion and joy in seeing us. The problem is often the way we look at Him like that man who approached Him as well as the disciples conversing with Him who were all so much like us.

As Jesus was setting out on a journey, a man ran up, knelt down before him, and asked him, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus answered him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. You know the commandments…” He replied and said to him, “Teacher, all of these I have observed from my youth.” Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said to him, “You are lacking in one thing. Go, sell what you have, and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.” At that statement his face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions.

Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!” The disciples were amazed at his words. So Jesus again said to them in reply, “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God!” It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of the needle than for one who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” They were exceedingly astonished and said among themselves, “Then who can be saved?” Jesus looked at them and said, “For human beings it is impossible, but not for God. All things possible for God” (Mark 10:17-27).

*Photo by author, Sacred Heart Novitiate, Novaliches, QC, 20 March 2024.*

Jesus, looking at him, loved him...
his face fell, went away sad,
for he had many possessions.

We readily identify with this man because all of us have the same question deep in our hearts to Jesus, wondering there must be more to keeping the commandments, of being good, of a better way to get into eternal life that is not necessarily a shortcut.

In fact, we have to rejoice, dear friends if we ask the same question because it is a grace that can only come from God, so unlike the Pharisees who asked Jesus last Sunday on the legality of divorce because they wanted to “test” Him. See how Jesus like last week brought us all back to the Sacred Scriptures, the very word of God expressing His will in human terms. The question was a sincere longing for God like the Psalmist, “Your testimonies are my delight; they are my counsellors”; “I observe your precepts and testimonies; all my ways are before you” (Ps. 119:24, 168).

Jesus looked at the man with love because He saw a great opening for more grace in him that is why He told him to sell everything he had, give it to the poor and follow Him. At that moment, like most of us, his face fell and went away sad because he had many possessions.

Are we not this man too who can’t look at Jesus with the same love because we probably love somebody or something else than Him found among those in the margins of our lives?

Jesus looked around...
the disciples were amazed.

If Jesus did not care at all and has no love for those around Him, He would have not looked around after that man had left. Here is the lovely thing with Jesus: His look is always filled with love for us His disciples, a look so penetrating, so luminous because He is divine.

What is amazing is not only that it is difficult for us to enter the kingdom of God due to our many attachments, sinfulness and weaknesses, but, despite all these, Jesus still speaks to us, conversing with us because He simply loves us so much! Jesus never looks on qualifications but instead qualifies His call so we can follow Him. Most of all, look at Him too!

Consider the amazing grace for us to remain in Jesus, albeit hiding that question in our hearts so afraid to ask because we know His answer would be so unexpected like in this scene and yet, here is Jesus looking around, looking at us with love sincerely telling us it is not easy at all. Remember the bread of life discourse of how Jesus talked straight because He was sincere and truthful to us that it is difficult to follow Him to the Cross which is what discipleship is all about. Just keep following Jesus, keep looking at Him no matter what!

*Photo by Mr. Jay Javier, Quiapo Traslacion 2020.*

Jesus again said to them...
they were exceedingly astonished.

Wow…! See the style of Mark who was not contented in writing how astonished the disciples were by describing them as “exceedingly astonished”. See his attention to details, so wonderful and beautiful because what is exceedingly astonishing is Jesus Christ’s love for us, not just His words!

Here, Jesus was already telling the disciples what would happen on Good Friday, of how Jesus would do everything for us all – that is, in doing the impossible that is only possible with God because He loves us so much.

Like what St. Paul had extensively reiterated to the Galatians in the weekday readings last week, Jesus did everything for us to be saved. Salvation is a gift, a pure grace from God. It is never our work; stop playing God, or a Messiah! There is nothing we can really do to be saved except to be like a child as Jesus had reiterated these past two Sundays.

To be like a child is to completely trust Jesus every step of the way especially on His way to Jerusalem. Now we see the importance of having that child-like attitude to belong in the kingdom of God as Jesus identified what await His disciples in following Him: “houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and eternal life in the age to come” (Mark 10:30).

Don’t be sad now. Mark had a purpose in writing the persecutions that await every disciple of Jesus because these shall purify us, give more depth and meaning to our lives and existence.

Mark knew so well how everyone is like the author of the Book of Wisdom who lived in a time similar with ours with all the affluence around us that deep inside us we still feel and know for sure that life is more than comfort and pleasures. He knew too the story of King Solomon like us so blessed with that consciousness that more than the material wealth and fame the world offers us, what matters most in life is wisdom to discern what is right and good.

These are difficult indeed for us, like getting married threatened by divorce then and now; but, again Jesus proposes an ideal, inviting us to remain in Him in prayers. After all, Jesus is the word of God who became flesh is “living and effective” among us found in the Sacred Scriptures (second reading) to guide us closer to Him.

Let us not worry because Jesus had done everything for us to be saved. Stay in the Lord, and let our face shine with His love! Keep looking at Jesus who looks at us full of love today and always. Have a blessed week ahead!

Filled with Spirit

The Lord Is My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II
Friday, Memorial of St. John XXIII, Pope, 11 October 2024
Galatians 3:7-14 <*((((>< + ><))))*> Luke 11:15-26

Lord Jesus Christ,
fill me with your Holy Spirit,
enliven my faith,
hope and love in You;
in this age of so many divisions
when we are being pulled by
the strong forces of the past
to go back to what was before
due to the excesses of modern time,
let us look for your Cross,
O Lord, to let the "finger of God"
work in us to cleanse us of
all evil and filth that make us
"scatter" than "gather".

“But if is by the finger of God that I drive out demons, then the Kingdom of God has come upon you… Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters. When an unclean spirit goes out of someone, it roams through arid regions searching for rest but, finding none, it says, ‘I shall return to my home from which I came.’ But upon returning, it finds it swept clean and put in order. Then it goes and brings back seven other spirits more wicked than itself who move in and dwell there, and the last condition of that person is worse than the first” (Luke 11:20, 23-26).

Let us realize,
like what St. Paul tells us
in today's first reading that 
we who "have faith in You are
the children of Abraham,
that the blessing of Abraham 
might be extended to the Gentiles
through Christ Jesus, so that
we might receive the promise of 
the Spirit through faith" 
(Galatians 3:7, 14).

Let us embrace that truth,
Jesus, that You have done everything
for our salvation,
for our freedom,
for our being children of the Father;
You have cleansed us,
come fill us with your Spirit
for us to see our similarities
not differences to build a more
humane society here on earth;
fill us with your Spirit, Jesus,
let not the bonds and shackles of sin
hold us, isolated from others,
always competing that prevent
peace in finally happening.

Help us imitate your faithful servant
St. John XXIII who convened the
Second Vatican Council to open
the windows of the Church
and welcome this modern age
so we may find You Jesus ever more
present in this changing time;
most of all, to share You, Jesus
who is still most needed
in this troubled age.

You have done everything
for us, Jesus.
Let us rest on that by
remaining in You, 
doing your work
and make us stop
playing god, savior
of the world.
Amen.

Photo by Ka Ruben, new stained glass of the National Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima, Valenzuela City to be blessed on Sunday, the 107th anniversary of the last Apparition of the Virgin Mary in Fatima, Portugal.

To his face…

The Lord Is My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II
Wednesday in the Twenty-seventh Week of Ordinary Time, Year II, 09 October 2024
Galatians 2:1-2, 7-14 ><]]]]'> + <'[[[[>< Luke 11:1-4

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

And when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face because he clearly was wrong… (Galatians 2:11).

For so long,
I have always wondered
how You look like,
Lord Jesus,
of what or how 
your face looks
like really;
your face deeply in pain
on the Cross has always been
the face I have known when
thinking of You;
how I wished I could see your face
moved with pity 
with that widow of Nain
or how your face looked 
full of love to the rich young man
whose face fell after You asked him
to sell his belongings, 
share them to the poor
and follow you.

Oh, how I long to see your face,
Lord!

Christ and the Widow of Nain, c.1550-55 (oil on canvas) by Caliari, Paolo (Veronese) (1528-88); 97.7×163.8 cm; Private Collection; (add.info.: Christ and the Widow of Nain. Paolo Caliari (Veronese)(1528-1588). Oil on canvas. 97.7 x 163.8cm.); Photo © Christie’s Images.

*“Christ and Rich Young Ruler” by Heinrich Hofmann from en.wikipedia.org.*

St. Paul's account of 
"opposing Cephas to his face"
invites me today 
to see face
in a more deeper sense than
something physical; 
as I immersed into the scene,
I could sense and picture
the courage and sincerity 
on St. Paul's face in telling
St. Peter into his face 
his double standards
in dealing with early Christians, 
that is, of having two faces:
one with Jewish converts
and another with Gentile converts!

**The lithography of Sts. Peter and Paul in Missale Romanum by unknown artist with initials F.M.S (19. cent.) printed by Typis Friderici Pustet. (Renáta Sedmáková | us.fotolia.com)**

How sad,
dear Jesus, 
that until now,
we your disciples 
are like St. Peter before:
many of us are not only double-faced
but even multiple-faced with
one another, never our true selves
at all!
Worst, many of us can't even
show our true face as we put on masks
that literally in Greek are called
hypokritein --- hypocrites!

Teach us, Lord Jesus,
how to pray,
that is, 
to be single-faced in our prayers:
to face up before our Father
as His children
forgiving each other's debts,
living as brothers and sisters;
teach us, Lord Jesus,
to face up our prayers,
of living out what we pray
not with many faces
nor with masks on our face;
teach us, Lord Jesus,
to face You more often
in prayers to transform our face
into your face that is truly 
an image and likeness
of God, 
radiating with your loving presence.
Amen.

*Photo by author, CAS Chapel, Our Lady of Fatima University, August 2023.*

Inmost being for connecting, reconnecting

The Lord Is My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II
Tuesday in the Twenty-seventh Week of Ordinary Time, Year II, 08 October 2024
Galatians 2:1-2, 7-14 ><000'> + <'000>< Luke 10:38-42

*Photo by Ms. Ria De Vera at Banff, Canada, August 2024.*

O Lord, you have probed me and you know me, you know when I sit and when I stand; you understand my thoughts from afar. Truly you have formed my inmost being; you knit me in my mother’s womb. I give you thanks that I am fearfully, wonderfully made; wonderful are your works (Psalm 139:1-2, 13-14).

Thank you,
loving God our Father
for this brand new day!
Like the psalmist today,
I am at awe with your creation,
beginning with me
at how you have formed
 my inmost being
that enables me to connect
with You through your wonderful
creation!

In forming my inmost being,
You have made me yours,
enabling me to realize my connection
with You, O God, my Creator
as well as with your entire creation;
and if I am lost or had gone astray,
it is still my inmost being You have formed
in me that enables me to reconnect
with You and myself
and others.

Brothers and sisters: You heard of my former way of life in Judaism, how I persecuted the Church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it… But when he, who from my mother’s womb had set me apart and called me through his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son to me, so that I might proclaim him to the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult flesh and blood, nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were Apostles before me: rather, I went into Arabia and then returned to Damascus (Galatians 1:13, 15-17).

How lovely and so true
like St. Paul, 
You have formed our inmost being
so that we may remain connected
or be reconnected with You 
when we are lost
and separated.

Grant us O God
the gift of discipline in 
cultivating a prayer life,
a life centered in You so that 
we remain connected in You
through Jesus Christ like Mary
sitting beside Him at His feet,
listening to His every word;
let us be aware of your precious gift
of our inmost being
by cultivating a prayer life
to make our connections stronger;
You created us, O God
to be connected always
with You,
our self,
and with others;
keep us strong in resisting
temptations to sin,
to separate and be isolated
from You and others
by destroying our connections,
disregarding our inmost being.
Amen.

Praying to lose in order to win

The Lord Is My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II
Monday, Memorial of the Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary, 07 October 2024
Acts 1:12-14 <*{{{{>< + ><}}}}*> Luke 1:26-38

God our loving Father,
You are the God of History:
nothing happens without your
knowing as You ensure that despite
setbacks, history is always directed 
to your Divine Plan.

As we celebrate today the
Memorial of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary,
we remember too how You answered 
our prayers in that decisive victory 
of the Spanish Armada against the 
more and better-equipped navy of
the Ottoman Turks at the  
Battle of Lepanto Bay in 1571 
that finally stopped the Moslems
from occupying Europe.

*Photo by author, St. Scholastica Retreat Center, Baguio City, August 2023.*

We pray, O God,
that in a similar way,
teach us to "lose"
in order to "win":
like the Blessed Mother Mary,
grant us the grace to lose ourself
to You in Jesus Christ;
how lovely to think Mary
was a "loser" of her self to You
when she told the Archangel Gabriel,
"Behold, I am the handmaid
of the Lord.
May it be done to me
according to your word"
(Luke 1:38);
it was in losing herself
to You, dear God,
that Mary became your instrument
for our victory of salvation
 through her Son Jesus Christ.

Teach us, O Lord,
to be like Mary in submitting
our total selves to the
Father's will and plans,
ready to endure sufferings
and trials in life that many times
we feel we are at the losing end;
when we are patient and understanding,
when we are forgiving of others sins,
when we bear all pains because we love,
that is when we win as we lose
ourselves and begins to be filled with
Jesus like Mary in the gospel.

*Photo from canningliturgicalarts.com*, painting of the Battle of Lepanto Bay with our Lady of Victory or Rosary.

Remind us always,
God our loving Father,
that when we feel losing 
many battles in life 
like when we stand 
for what is true and good,
that is actually when we win
the war against evil and sin,
the greatest victory Christ 
had gifted us, first with His
Mother Mary - salvation!

Blessed Mother of the Rosary,
continue praying for us sinners
now and at the hour of our death.
Amen.