Lord My Chef Daily Recipe for Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II Wednesday in the Seventeenth Week of Ordinary Time, Year II Memorial of Sts. Mary, Martha, and Lazarus, 29 July 2026 1 John 4:7-16 <*{{{{>< + ><}}}}*> John 11:19-27
“The Raising of Lazarus”, 1311 painting by Duccio de Buoninsegna. Photo from commons.wikimedia.org
Glory and praise to you, God our Father for sending us your Son Jesus Christ who continues to come to us in various ways: in nature, in the events that happen to us in our lives, both good and bad, most especially in persons like our siblings that this Memorial of Saints Mary, Martha and Lazarus reminds us; how lovely to remember how our Lord Jesus was described as very close with the blessed sisters and brother he frequently visited in their home at Bethany.
We pray for all brothers and sisters now living apart from each other due to work and marriage, raising a family of their own; may they never forget each other as siblings, "magkakapatid" with invisible bonds that transcend their physical separations; keep them mindful of one another, checking on each others needs and well-being, becoming your very presence in each other especially when there is sickness and death: Martha said to Jesus, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died" (John 11:21).
Like the blessed siblings of Sts. Mary, Martha and Lazarus, keep every brother and sister open to your coming and visits, Lord Jesus, that are always in disguise; make our hearts like theirs filled with warmth and hospitality, understanding and forgiveness for each other so that you may stay and reign in our hearts, revealing the face of God with one another; most of all, Lord Jesus, like the three holy sisters and brother, may we share your gift of kindness of being a kin to everyone in you, with you, through you. Amen.
An icon of Jesus visiting his friends, the siblings Sts. Lazarus, Mary and Martha from crossroadsinitiative.com.
Lord My Chef Sunday Recipe for Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle A, 26 July 2026 1 Kings 3:5, 7-12 ><}}}*> Romans 8:28-30 ><}}}*> Matthew 13:44-52
Photo by author, Anvaya Cove, Morong, Bataan, 20 July 2026.
We now come to the final installment of the last three parables by Jesus that began two Sundays ago that speak of the mystery of the kingdom of heaven, its unfolding and demands from us his disciples.
There are a total of seven parables in Matthew 13 known as discourse in parables which started with the parable of the sower until last Sunday where Jesus repeatedly told his listeners that included us today that “whoever has ears ought to hear”; now at its final installment, Jesus asks us after explaining everything, “Do you understand all these things?”
“Do you understand all these things?” They answered “Yes.” And he replied, “Then every scribe who has been instructed in the kingdom of heaven is like the head of a household who brings from the storeroom both the new and the old” (Matthew 13:51-52).
Photo by author, Anvaya Cove, Morong, Bataan, 20 July 2026.
From the French word parabolein for “along the road/path”, parables are stories taken from daily life that offer us deep, profound lessons and realities especially about God and his loving presence among us, of the coming of his kingdom in Jesus Christ. Unfortunately, most of us dismiss them because they are so plain and simple. Or ordinary, not realizing that the deepest truths in life actually come from the simplest aspects of daily living. That is why Jesus kept reminding everyone to always listen, not just hear.
Listening is more intentional, deliberate and conscious, leading to understanding which is an internalization of the lessons and message said. Our Filipino translation shows this so well: to listen is makinig while to hear is madinig or marinig.
Makinig demands attention while dinig is passive, indicating more of the surface level of sounds and words, not really minding the meaning and context. That is why, listening is more reliable, more certain than hearing that has no intention of understanding at all what is meant by being said.
Photo by author, “St. Joseph Protector of the Child Jesus”, 20 March 2024.
Listening leads to knowing and understanding the what, where, when, how and why of events and things of the story or lessons. When there is understanding, relationship happens because more than the facts and details we listen to, we encounter persons. Pope Leo XIV beautifully said this in his first Lenten Message in February that “listening is the first sign of our willingness to enter into a relationship.”
Now we see the intention of Jesus in teaching in parables which is to have a personal relationship with us his listeners and disciples. Moreover, the very act of listening leading to understanding is a process of formation and transformation which is the bigger picture of Jesus teaching in parables – that we may be transformed in him especially when he asked today, “Do you understand all these things?”
Again, its Filipino translation reveals its true meaning and inner dynamics, Nauunawaan ba ninyo ang mga ito? To understand is maunawaan, from the root word una or first in order.
More than knowing, to understand or maunawaan is to realize which is the first of all others because that is the most essential, the most important. “To understand all these things” is not a question of human intelligence that is often short and lacking, and unreliable. “To understand all these things” is a spiritual intelligence, of the humble and lowly, the child-like whom Jesus praised the other week in our weekday gospel (15th week, Wednesday, 15 July 2026, Mt.11:25-27).
Jesus asks us this Sunday “do you understand all these things” to stress that the kingdom of heaven which is actually the person of Christ himself is a treasure beyond price like that treasure found by a man in the field or that precious pearl a trader had found that we are willing to renounce everything to have and possess him!
Understanding the parables of Jesus is finding “God first” before anything or anybody else. In the first reading, we find why King Solomon is the wisest person of all because when asked by God for any gift, he asked for “an understanding heart to judge your people and to distinguish right from wrong” (1Kings 3:9) which delighted God so much. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom indeed!
God is the first One we must always desire, think and search in life. Without God, we only come in vicious circles of addictions and emptiness and meaninglessness. It is no surprise at all that the most corrupt and vicious people are also the ones who disregard God, who live as if there is no eternity. Without God, we are reduced to mere creatures meant to just eat and survive. Nothing else. That is why some people do not mind at all looking stupid (mukhang tanga at tunay na tanga), without any self respect because only matter matters for them like money (mukhang pera) and things like power or popularity.
With God, we find meaning and direction in everything in life as St. Paul tells us in the second reading, “Brothers and sisters: We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose” (Rom. 8:28).
Photo by author, flower of a Balibago Tree, Anvaya Cove Resort, Bataan, 21 July 2026.
“All things”… including trials and tribulations for they make us stronger and better persons. When we look back to our past, we see there are more things we have to be thankful to God than be sorry and have regrets. Many times, our past failures and sufferings and tears have become our gateway to our victory and comfort and joy.
Understanding the parables of Jesus and of life in general is actually a movement into getting closer to Christ, of being “every scribe who has been instructed in the kingdom of heaven is like the head of a household who brings from the storeroom both the new and the old” (Mt. 13:52).
Here we find the coming into full circle of Christ’s discourse in parables: from listening to understanding which is a process of communion and oneness with the Master, Jesus whose very Person is the kingdom of heaven.
Looking back to these past three Sundays of listening and understanding the various parables of Jesus, we find a remarkable stage in his teachings that bring us closest to him, leading us for the next route of his itinerary which is actually an inner journey into our hearts where he alone dwells. Amen. A blessed week ahead of listening and understanding Jesus among the people we meet and happenings we experience.
*Happy Feast Day to all Lolos and Lolas for today is the feast of Sts. Joachim and Anne, parents of the the Blessed Virgin Mary, grandparents of Jesus Christ.
Lord My Chef Daily Recipe for Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II Thursday in the Fifteenth Week of Ordinary Time, Year II, 23 July 2026 Jeremiah 2:1-3, 7-8, 12-13 <*((((>< + ><))))*> Matthew 13:10-17
Scars on the foothills of Mt. Guiting-guiting Natural Park in Sibuyan Island, Romblon caused by an alleged mining without permit perpetrated by a company owned by a political dynasty; from Facebook post of Atty. Wilfredo Garrido, 22 July 2026.
God our loving Father, we pray so hard for our country the Philippines that has become so much like your country of Israel at the time of the Prophet Jeremiah: we have not only destroyed one another as brothers and sisters with our rampant corruption in government but at the same time desecrated our paradise in this part of earth with environmental destruction.
Two evils have my people done: they have forsaken me, the souce of living waters; they have dug themselves cisterns, broken cisterns, that hold no water (Jeremiah 2:13).
From Iskolar ng Bayan FB post, 22 July 2026.
What is happening in our country like in other parts of the world is our complete violation of your first commandment, Father - of having strange gods, of worshipping the Baals of money and power and influence through technologies that at the start were meant to bring us together but have actually torn and set us farther apart; hence, even your wonderful gift of nature supposed to provide us with our needs in life is raped and molested without any respect for life at all by the greedy investors backed by rapacious politicians.
Open our eyes, open our hearts and strengthen our souls to fight these evils, Lord Jesus that we may see in the simple parables of ordinary and usual like our local folks and the nature around us as signs of your grace and love for us demanding us to care for them too because they are all yours not mine to have nor abuse; we pray for politicians and investors alike to see more life and persons not just money and profits in their endeavors. Amen.
Lord My Chef Daily Recipe for Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II Monday in Sixteenth Week of Ordinary Time, Year II, 20 July 2026 Micah 6:1-4, 6-8 ><))))*> + ><))))*> + ><))))*> Matthew 12:38-42
Another Monday, Lord: thank you for another journey, thank you for another chance to walk with you.
It is your journey, actually; therefore, teach us to walk humbly with you by doing what is right and just, what is good and holy like what your Prophet Micah told the people of Israel.
You have been told, O man, what is good, and what the Lord requires of you: Only to do what is right and to love goodness, and to walk humbly with your God (Micah 6:8).
Forgive us, dear Father, after all our journey in life, we have gone to be so proud like the scribes and Pharisees, demanding signs from your Son Jesus that he is the Christ; after all the walking in life when you have saved us, when you have picked us up after so many falls, when you have sought us to return to the right directions when lost, when so many times you waited for us when we lag and left behind, we still question your loving presence among us, in us.
Lead me, Lord, to your direction for you are the Way the Truth and the Life. Amen.
Photo by author, St. Michael Retreat House, Antipolo City, 16 June 2026.
Lord My Chef Daily Recipe for Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II Friday in the Fifteenth Week of Ordinary Time, Year II, 17 July 2026 Isaiah 38:1-6, 21-22, 7-8; 38:10-12, 16 <*((((>< + ><))))*> Matthew 12:1-8
Photo by author, sunrise at Camp John Hay, Baguio City, 19 November 2018.
God our loving Father, I thank you for this wonderful Friday and most of all, for your moving words from King Hezekiah, the very same words in our hearts especially for those like me who have reached senior year, or may be going through many difficulties in life that make us all realize our mortality and finiteness.
Father, we are all afraid of death, of dying, of the pain of getting sick, of the process so hurtful in all aspects; but, like King Hezekiah in the first reading, what really makes us worry with death is the unfinished work you have given us, the sadness of what shall happen to those we shall leave behind not because we believe so much in ourselves but more because we know we have not finished your work; forgive us for those moments we have procrastinated your work, for those times we balked and dilly dallied to your commands, or to those times we refused to follow you; hear our pleas like your faithful King Hezekiah knocking at heaven’s door:
Once I said: “In the noontime of life I must depart! To the gates of the nether world I shall be consigned for the rest of my years… Like a swallow I utter shrill cries; I moan like a dove. My eyes grow weak, gazing heavenward: O Lord, I am in straits; be my surety” (Isaiah 38:10, 14).
Photo by Mr. Howie Severino, Taal Lake, Batangas, 13 November 2018.
O Lord our God most loving, our life and meaning who desires most mercy than sacrifice for you are the Lord of sabbath (Matthew 12:7-8), like King Hezekiah and Bob Dylan in this modern time we "knock at heaven's door" for those in great need at these very moment like the disciples of Jesus so hungry while crossing a field of grain on a sabbath and picked the heads of grain and ate them; heal those so sick not only in body but also in mind, heart and soul; ease their pains and sorrows; and should we reach the final end, welcome us into your heavenly kingdom; but still, as we hope against hope, heal us by turning back the clock of time for us to fulfill your assigned task and mission. Amen.
*While praying last night, we remembered Bob Dylan’s iconic “Knocking At Heaven’s Door” that he wrote as soundtrack of the 1973 film “Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid”. It became a worldwide hit after its release and had been covered by other artists like Eric Clapton, Randy Crawford and Guns N’ Roses.
“Knocking At Heaven’s Door” is praying hard to God when at the point of death. Like Hezekiah in the first reading, it is the baring of one’s soul to God, begging for his mercy that if possible be allowed to live a little longer. In this song, we find the lyrics and music elegantly and nobly simple, so characteristic of Dylan’s songs that earned him awards outside the music circle like journalism’s Pulitzer Prize special citation in 2008 and the recent Nobel Prize in Literature in 2016 “for having created new poetic expressions within the great American music tradition” (wikipedia).
In our prayer last night, we realized as we age that we fear death and its other daily manifestations like separation and other lifestyle shifts because of being sorry for not having done much in life that if given another chance, we might after all finish our mission like King Hezekiah in the first reading today. Knocking at heaven’s door is one of life’s most powerful prayer as it always “moves” God in the sense he grants our prayers not because he changes his mind but because we have finally surrendered to him and his Divine Will. Likewise, it reminds us to be faithful to our calling always so that when God calls us to death, we can let go easily.
Bob Dylan captured this so well citing the final scene of the movie for which he composed “Knocking At Heaven’s Door” when the frontier lawman was about to die, he gave or “surrendered” to his wife – Mama – his badge and gun because he had finished his job.
[Intro] Ooh, ooh Ooh, ooh
[Verse 1] Mama, take this badge off of me I can’t use it anymore It’s getting dark, too dark to see I feel I’m knockin' on heaven’s door
[Chorus] Knock, knock, knockin' on heaven’s door Knock, knock, knockin' on heaven’s door Knock, knock, knockin' on heaven’s door Knock, knock, knockin' on heaven's door
[Verse 2] Mama, put my guns in the ground I can’t shoot them anymore That long black cloud is coming down I feel I’m knockin' on heaven’s door
[Chorus] Knock, knock, knockin' on heaven’s door Knock, knock, knockin' on heaven’s door Knock, knock, knockin' on heaven’s door Knock, knock, knockin' on heaven's door
A blessed weekend everyone. Handle life with prayer always.
Lord My Chef Sunday Recipe for Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle A, 12 July 2026 Isaiah 55:10-11 ><}}}}*> Romans 8:18-23 ><}}}}*> Matthew 13:1-23
Photo by author, Lake of Galilee, the Holy Land, May 2019.
Matthew’s opening lines in today’s gospel present us a beautiful image of God’s abundance we often take for granted just like the parables of Jesus that remind us of our interconnectedness as brothers and sisters.
On that day, Jesus went out of the house and sat down by the sea. Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat down, and the whole crowd stood along the shore. And he spoke to them at length in parable, saying: “A sower went out to sow” (Matthew 13:1-3).
For the next three Sundays beginning today, all our gospel readings are taken from this 13th chapter of Matthew known as the “Discourse in Parables” that forms one whole unit of the Lord’s teachings in parables.
From the French word parabolein or “along the way”, a parable is a simple story often taken from ordinary things and events in life that offers valuable lessons about life; but, because it is a story taken from ordinary things and events, a parable is often taken for granted.
Many times we only realize later that the most profound realities in life are those found in most ordinary like God who comes to us daily in simplest ordinary things and people and events we take for granted or even refuse to recognize.
Our Filipino word for parable which is talinghaga captures this very well. From the phrase natatalinghiwaga that means “tied mystery”: tali is a rope or a tie that binds things together like mystery or hiwaga. Hence, we have talinghaga for parable that indicate how a mystery is tied with the ordinary and simple things and persons and events.
That is the purpose of Jesus in teaching us in parables: that we may learn to find the hidden truths and mysteries of life in the most ordinary things. His teaching in parables is a continuation as well as a deepening of his call to us last Sunday to “come to him and learn from him” so that we may find rest and fulfillment in him.
Photo by author, Lake of Galilee, the Holy Land, May 2019.
What I find amazing in our gospel scene this Sunday is how Jesus was by the shore of the Lake of Galilee yet, his parable is about the sower.
Why not narrate something about the life of fishermen or fish vendors?
Photo by author, Lake of Galilee, the Holy Land, May 2017.
Again, let us situate ourselves in Matthew’s opening line, “On that day, Jesus went out of the house and sat down by the sea.”
Imagine the scene, it was early morning, the sun had just risen, and people were starting to go about their usual lives when they heard Jesus teaching while seated on a boat perhaps owned by Peter. More than the parable of the sower itself, Matthew is showing us in this scene the very parable of our life that the whole world is God’s.
Every pilgrim to the Holy Land can attest to this unique beauty of the Lake of Galilee that is so lovely, so peaceful and yes, divine. It tells us of God’s superabundance in all of his creation, interconnecting us as brothers and sisters in him our Father.
This is the same parable and truth of life that God had spoken through the Prophet Isaiah in the first reading:
Thus says the Lord: Just as from the heavens the rain and snow come own and do not return there until they have watered the earth, making it fertile and fruitful, giving seed to the one who sows and bread to the one who eats, so shall my word be that goes forth from my mouth; my word shall not return to me void, but shall do my will, achieving the end for which I sent it (Isaiah 55:10-11).
Nothing happens by accident in life; God knows everything. And the good news is, he gives everything that is good like the sower. Not just the seeds but the bread we eat, the water we drink, even the very breath we breathe.
Moreover, there is the connectedness of everything in God’s superabundance like that of the rain and snow making the earth fertile and fruitful, giving seed to the sower so that there would be bread for everyone, even clothes to wear.
Painting by Van Gogh, “The Sower on Sunset” from wikipedia.org.
God is the Sower always coming to us, tending us, sowing us with seeds that are absolutely good. It does not really matter what kind of soil receives the seed that even the pathway becomes a conduit in feeding the birds of the air!
The seed is definitely good because God is good. In all instances where the seed had fallen, we find God the Sower himself moving in each step of our life. Observe how in this image of the sower moving from his home to his field, it shows us also the journey of the word and the purpose of God in our life. There is no problem with the seed that is so fecund and definitely efficacious as God had told Isaiah that “my word shall not return to me void, but shall do my will, achieving the end for which I sent it.”
If ever the word is not fruitful, it is due to our poor disposition as listeners or recipients. That is why St. Paul reminds us in the second reading of how we must responsibly be true to our call and role as disciples of Christ. It is a process we have to be patient but must be consistent. What we are working for is not just for this time or for one’s self or society or country: we have to see the whole reality of life from here to eternity in Christ’s work of salvation is for all. We are all interconnected so that whatever good we do will always bear fruit, “some a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold.”
Photo by author, St. Michael Retreat House, Antipolo City, 16 June 2026.
This Sunday, in this beautiful scene by the Lake of Galilee, or right there on your comfortable seat or wherever you are, Jesus is asking, “where do I see myself in this wide picture and chain of events?” What have I done with the “word”, the “seed” Jesus had sown in me?
In this age of relativism worsened by social media that have blurred reality with algorithms manipulating the way we see and understand truth and reality, the more we have become empty and alienated from one’s self and one another despite the abundance of material things.
How sad that despite the worldwide connections we now have, the more we have been detached from each other, even from one’s self and ultimately from God so that indeed, many of us “look but do not see and hear but do not listen or understand” (v.13) because we have taken life in the ordinary things for granted. We live in Facebook or social media where everything has to be spectacular, even “imeldific” or at least, enhanced if not AI-generated. This Sunday, let’s get real. Enough with fakes and AI’s. Amen. Have a blessed, fruitful week ahead everyone!
Lord My Chef Daily Recipe for Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II Thursday in the Fourteenth Week of Ordinary Time, Year II, 09 July 2026 Hosea 11:1-4, 8-9 <*((((>< + ><))))*> Matthew 10:7-15
Photo by Mr. Vigie Ongleo in Colorado, 03 June 2026.
I have not really known you,
Lord my God;
grant me the grace of intimacy,
like that of a son and a Father
as my life and my mission;
You have nurtured me, O God
as your own son
but I did not recognize you
that later in life,
I followed my doubts,
my false securities
and negatives thoughts
than you.
Thus says the Lord: When Israel was a child I loved him, out of Egypt I called my son. The more I called them, the farther they went from me, sacrificing to the Baals and burning incense to idols. Yet it was I who taught Ephraim to walk, who took them in my arms; I drew them with human cords, with bands of love; I fostered them like one who raises an infant to his cheeks, yet, though I stooped to feed my child, they did not know that I was their healer (Hosea 11:1-4).
Forgive me, merciful Father; though I pray always while striving to be holy, the more I stray from you because my love for you is superficial as seen too in my skin-deep interpersonal relationships because your love experiences are forgotten as I give more emphasis on my shortcomings, expectations, and "returns".
Let me get closer to you, Father in the love of your Son Jesus Christ so that my brokenness may be healed; set me free from my many imprisonment with sin so that I can go make the proclamation that "the Kingdom of heaven is at hand" by letting me "cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, and drive out demons" (Matthew 10:7-8); remind me always of your immense love for me poured by Christ on the Cross so that I may "give without cost" (Matthew 10:8) except that I am doing your most Holy Will; and lastly, let me trust you completely so that I am not bothered with so many things for the journey except Jesus, only Jesus, always Jesus. Amen.
Photo by Mr. Vigie Ongleo in Colorado, 03 June 2026.
Quiet Storm by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II, 08 July 2026
It has been three days since Sunday when we heard Jesus calling us to “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for your selves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Mt.11:28-30).
It is one of the shortest and most memorable passage in the gospel but, how do we really come to Jesus in order to rest and feel light?
The good news is, it is Jesus who actually comes to us first, inviting us to come to him to find rest and feel light. Exactly like at the meeting of the Risen Lord and Thomas the Apostle eight days after Easter as narrated to us by John. You will recall that last Friday was the Feast of St. Thomas the Apostle (June 3) when I presented in my homily Caravaggio’s painting called The Incredulity of Thomas done in 1602. This is the second time I have used a painting by this renowned Italian painter said to be the favorite of the late Pope Francis too.
Photo of painting by Caravaggio, “The Incredulity of Thomas” via wikipedia.commons.org.
Thomas “refused” to believe the Apostles’ news to him that Jesus had risen, saying that “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger into the nail marks and put my hand into his side, I will not believe” (Jn.10:25).
Many times we are like Thomas, a Didymus, with a twin in life like doubt and certainty, belief and unbelief, darkness and light.
Like Thomas, we say unconsciously that “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger into the nail marks and put my hand into his side, I will not believe” (Jn.10:25) because it is when we are suffering, when we are in darkness, when we are in doubt when we truly search and long for God and Jesus.
It is not that Thomas nor we could not believe that Jesus had risen or doubted Christ at all; actually, Thomas believed in Jesus that is why he came on the eighth day to await the Lord’s coming in the same manner that we still pray despite our “doubts”.
Now a week later, his disciples were again inside and Thomas was with them. Jesus came, although the doors were locked, and stood in their midst and said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands, and bring your hand and put it into my side, and do not be unbelieving, but believe.” Thomas answered and said to him, “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:26-28)
Photo of painting by Caravaggio, “The Incredulity of Thomas” via wikipedia.commons.org.
See the artistry of Caravaggio in this painting, that characteristic play of light and darkness emanating from Jesus, illuminating Thomas and his elder Apostles Peter and John.
All darkness in life are diminished, even vanished completely when we bring everything and everyone in the light of Jesus Christ who comes to us to enlighten us, to illumine us from many darkness we go through in life like Thomas on that night of the eighth day of Easter.
But, there is more to the light of Christ that we can see in this Caravaggio painting.
Amid its stillness and silence, one could feel deeply Jesus Christ’s words last Sunday – come to me – echoed softly, personally, lovingly to Thomas. And to each one of us today.
Photo of painting by Caravaggio, “The Incredulity of Thomas” via wikipedia.commons.org.
John tells us that Jesus simply said to Thomas to “Put your finger here and see my hands, bring your hand and put it into my side, and do not be unbelieving, but believe.” Thomas answered and said to him, “My Lord and my God” (Jn.20:27-28).
Okay, fine… it is just my imagination or my contemplation that I heard Christ’s words last Sunday echoed in this scene, “come to me and I will give you rest” but, there is something so beautiful and deeply personal with Jesus in saying or implying those same words here. You can hear it so close, so near you, not from afar especially when you consider its Filipino translation of “Lumapit kayo sa akin” or the informal “Halikayo at lumapit sa akin” that both indicate a separation of even a few feet away from Jesus who is calling us.
See the proximity of the four people in this painting. That is how close Jesus gets to us whenever he comes to us, inviting us to come to him in order to find rest especially in those dark moments in our lives, when we feel hurt and abandoned. When we are so stressed out as seen in those wrinkles on the foreheads of the three apostles!
Contrast their images to the serenity of Jesus. Most of all, see also the hands of Jesus, of how his left hand with the nail wound visible moving aside his garment so that Thomas and his companions may see further his pierced side.
Whenever Jesus comes to us, calling us to come to him to show us his wounds from the cross to remind us that before all our pains and hurts came, he was there first to suffer and be wounded and died for us.
And he has come to us again, calling us to come to him because he had risen, assuring us that all our wounds like his will heal eventually! That is when we experience rest. And being light in life.
But, what I love most in this painting is the way Caravaggio depicted the Risen Lord holding the hand of Thomas while probing into his side wound:
Photo of painting by Caravaggio, “The Incredulity of Thomas” via wikipedia.commons.org.
How lovely! Caravaggio must be in the highest heaven when he painted this part.
Remember when Thomas dared to say unless he sees the nail marks in the Lord’s hands and put his hand at his side, he would not believe?
Jesus knew it so well not only with Thomas but with each one of us, of our being a Didymus, always with a twin of doubt so that he does not merely appear but touches us to experience deeply, personally his loving presence through his wounds.
See how Caravaggio depicted the left hand of Jesus again with the mark of nail holding the very hand of Thomas, directing his finger into his pierced side. You could feel the sure grip as well as gentleness of the Lord’s hand in leading the finger of Thomas into his pierced side wound. So dramatic as if it is not enough for Jesus to being present but most of all, experienced as closest at possible.
Jesus touches us always, literally and figuratively by holding our wounded selves to experience his wounded self too. He does not only call us in words but leads us with his total self.
Christ’s invitation for us to “come to him” remains personal and personalized. Not mass produced like what is happening these days where speed and reach are the main considerations, not the person.
While writing this piece yesterday, one of the blogs I follow came out with a new article exactly about last Sunday’s gospel scene, claiming that if God texts us today, these very words to “come to me” by Jesus would be his “text message” to us (https://thedevotionalguy.blog/2026/07/07/if-god-sent-you-a-text/).
I believe so. Because text messages have become the closest things we can have of anyone in these days of social media. However, if ever you receive that text message from Jesus, run outside to meet him personally for surely, he had come. Amen. God bless you.
Photo by author, St. Michael Retreat House, Antipolo City, 16 June 2026.
Lord My Chef Sunday Music by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II, 05 July 2026 Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle A
Photo by Ms. Marivic Tribiana on Facebook, 17 April 2020 following fire in Tondo,Manila.
Our gospel this Sunday is short but one of the most loved words by our Lord Jesus Christ often quoted even in some popular songs and music: “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for your selves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30).
Everyday Jesus calls us to come to him, to learn from him, to experience lightness in life not heaviness of compulsion and duty as most people would think of his demands. However, it is not a kind of R&R we all aspire every weekend at the beach or a mountain resort. Christ calls us today to come to him and learn from him on how to have a steady, realistic, day-to-day approach to life lived in his company, lived in love for one another as brother and sister (https://lordmychef.com/2026/07/04/learning-from-jesus-2/).
And that is why we remembered and chose this beautiful song from 1969 by The Hollies, “He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother.”
...The road is long With many a winding turn That leads us to who knows where, who knows where But I'm strong Strong enough to carry him He ain't heavy, he's my brother
… So on we go His welfare is of my concern No burden is he to bear We'll get there
… For I know He would not encumber me He ain't heavy, he's my brother
Most captivating with this song is its opening music of a harmonica that stirs ones soul superbly balanced with a bass guitar that perfectly filled the rhythm and melody until Allan Clarke burst with the opening lines that give you a picture right away of the song meaning – love for one another as brothers and sisters.
Composed by Bobby Scott and Bob Russell who was then dying of lymphoma cancer, the song was recorder earlier by another American artist; The Hollies’ guitarist Tony Hicks heard it while searching for songs to record for their group. Hicks found the demo tape of Scott and Russell too slow, asked permission to make it a little upbeat by adding an orchestra with the young Elton John playing the piano. It became an instant hit both in Britain and the US, spawning other versions until now.
More than its beautiful music and lyrics, the ballad is so appealing because of its message of love. It is interesting to know that the phrase “he ain’t heavy, he is my brother” is the motto of the Boys Town children’s home founded in 1917 by Fr. Edward Flanagan in Omaha, Nebraska. The following year, Fr. Flanagan saw a boy carrying up a set of stairs another resident stricken with polio, wearing braces; Fr. Flanagan asked the boy if it was heavy and was told, “he ain’t heavy, Father; he is my brother.” The phrase got stuck and became the motto of Boys Town that inspired this beautiful song. (Pope Leo XIV recently declared Fr. Flanagan “Venerable” as his cause for beatification moves closer to realization.)
In today’s gospel, this is precisely the yoke Jesus is telling us that is his, light and easy: love. Everything becomes light when seen and done in love, with love. Without love, everything becomes heavy due to sadness; hence, the need for more love as the last three stanzas tell us with the long road ahead filled with more pains and sufferings.
… If I'm laden at all I'm laden with sadness That everyone's heart Isn't filled with the gladness Of love for one another
… It's a long, long road From which there is no return While we're on the way to there Why not share?
… And the load Doesn't weigh me down at all He ain't heavy, he's my brother
… He's my brother He ain't heavy, he's my brother He ain't heavy, he's my brother
Amen. May you have a lighter week in Christ this week with this music.
Lord My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II Friday in the Thirteenth Week of Ordinary Time, Year II Feast of St. Thomas, Apostle, 03 July 2026 Ephesians 2:19-22 <*{{{{>< + ><}}}}*> John 20:24-29
Photo of painting by Caravaggio, “The Incredulity of Thomas” via wikipedia.commons.org.
Thank you, dear Jesus for this first Friday in July 2026, the feast of your Apostle Thomas called Didymus: some say due to his having the twin of faith and doubt but most likely also our very own twin because like him, deep within us are many "dark places" that need to be enlightened by your light.
Thomas called Didymus, one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. so the other disciples said to him, “We have seen the Lord.” But Thomas said to them, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger into the nail marks and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” Now a week later, disciples were again inside and Thomas was with them. Jesus came, although the doors were locked, and stood in their midst and said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands, and bring your hand and put it into my side, and do not be unbelieving, but believe.” Thomas answered and said to him, “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:24-28)
Every day you also come to us, Lord Jesus amid the many darkness around us, often in our locked doors of doubts and disbelief, cynicism and pessimism, grief and hopelessness; many times we think we infer we rationalize that your Resurrection and presence are just too good to be true!
So many things within us resist a faith too easy to claim or put into effect just to believe you; enlighten the many "dark places" within us that we have become so skeptical these days: our government and church are just like so similarly plagued with corruption and evil that are sadly allowed or tolerated, justice utterly lacking with evil doers seem to be more favored than law-abiding ones with all these persisting because many are oblivious to the darkness and disorder going on.
Where are you, Jesus in all of our mess in life as individuals, as a nation, as a church, as a family that we most often doubt than believe?
Photo by author, St. Michael Retreat House, Antipolo City, 16 June 2026.
Guide my hand,
lead my finger into your
wounds,
dear Jesus
that I may experience
you Risen;
let me experience your
coming and loving presence
amid our darkness
and woundedness;
let me not seek you
Jesus in spectacular things
in feel-good situations
but like Thomas
in touching your wounds
in that dark room
be enlivened with your
inner light of peace
and assurance that
more than your miracle
of rising from the dead
is the reality of living,
of life coming out
from real death.
Grant me that spark of
faith like in Thomas
while touching your wounds,
Lord Jesus
so that a glimmer of hope
within me may finally glow
and grow as I follow you,
my Lord and
my God.
Amen.
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