Lord My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul, 15 August 2025 Friday, Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Revelation 11:19, 12:1-6, 10 ><}}}*> 1 Corinthian 15:20-27 ><}}}*> Luke 1:39-56
“The Assumption of the Virgin” by Italian Renaissance painter Titian completed in 1518 for the main altar of Frari church in Venice. Photo from wikidata.org.
Thank you, Most Blessed Virgin Mary for being our Mother and most of all, our model disciple in your Son Jesus Christ. As we celebrate today the Solemnity of your Assumption into heaven, we also celebrate our blessed assurance and hope that someday we too may join you with God body and soul if we remain one and united in Jesus Christ our Savior.
Pray for me, O Blessed Mother that I too may rejoice in God for all that he does for me while seeing my lowliness not my pride.
Mary set out and travelled to the hill country in haste to a town of Judah, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth (Luke 1:39-40).
Pray for me, Blessed Mother to go in haste filled with joy and excitement in the Lord, determined and committed to the mission to proclaim the coming of our Savior Jesus Christ; pray for me, dear Mary to go in haste filled with joy and excitement in the Lord for his love for me I have to share with everyone like you; pray for me, Blessed Mother to go in haste celebrating the Christ's presence and coming, our fulfillment in him.
When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, cried out in a loud voice and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb…Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.” And Mary said: “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my Spirit rejoices in God my Savior” (Luke 1:41-42, 45-47).
Dear Jesus,
forgive me when I am filled
with pride,
doubts,
and mistrust in you
that slow me
from sharing
you with others and
the world;
fill me with humility
like Mary,
that I may sing too
a magnificat to you,
singing your saving grace
because every time
we rejoice in you
and your works in us
that is when we experience
heaven
our ultimate end
when in body and soul
we shall celebrate you
with Mary our Mother too.
Amen.
Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II
Our Lady of Fatima University
Valenzuela City
(lordmychef@gmail.com)
Lord My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul, 12 August 2025 Tuesday in the Nineteenth Week of Ordinary Time, Year I Deuteronomy 31:1-8 <*((((>< + ><))))*> Matthew 18:1-5, 10, 12-14
Photo by author, the Grotto in Baguio City, February 2019.
How I love your words today, Lord Jesus Christ; we all remain little children after all; though like the Twelve we often debate on "who is the greatest", in the end, we remain that little child you called and placed in their midst.
Yes, Jesus, we remain like children - weak and fearful especially in old age when we prefer to remain in our "comfort zones" yet, like Moses in Jordan, time catches on us when we have to go - whether for good or not - with our many transitions in life.
Then Moses summoned Joshua and in the presence of all Israel said to him, “Be brave and steadfast… It is the Lord who marches before you; he will be with you and will never fail or forsake you. So do not fear or be dismayed” (Deuteronomy 31:7, 8).
Lord Jesus, as I age and get old and weak, the more I doubt, the more I am afraid than ever; indeed, we all remain like little children before you; fill me with more courage to step forward in you when my sight grows dim, my muscles ache and joints weaken in life's journey; teach me to trust more the younger generation as they take charge from us in this life; let me be more silent and deeply aware of your presence in life's many transitions that continue to happen as we advance in age; deepen our faith and hope in you, Lord for you march ahead of us, never forsaking us, nor failed us. Amen.
Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II Our Lady of Fatima University Valenzuela City (lordmychef@gmail.com)
Photo by author, Tam-Awan Village in Baguio City, February 2019.
Lord My Chef Sunday Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle C, 10 August 2025 Wisdom 18:6-9 ><}}}}*> Hebrews 11:1-2, 8-19 ><}}}}*> Luke 12:32-48
Our new College of Medicine Building with the lovely flowers of Banaba trees welcoming the new academic year this Monday, 11 August 2025.
One of the remarkable trends in management these past two decades is the emphasis on values-based approaches like The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People by the late Dr. Stephen Covey. Second in his list is the title of our reflection this Sunday, “Begin with the end in sight.”
Actually we mentioned that in our reflection last Sunday but we stressed the word “end” begins with a capital “E” to refer to things of God and eternal life as in the End of all in death. This is the theme of the Lord’s teaching today he presented in three parables with the last two calling us to be faithful stewards awaiting their Master’s return in the End while the first one expressing the summary of his lessons, “For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be” (Lk.12:34). But unlike most Sundays, we reflect today on the second reading from the Letter to the Hebrews that shows us Abraham’s faith journey as an expression of Christ’s teachings on setting our sights with the End.
Faith is the realization of what is hoped for and evidence of things not seen. Because of it the ancients were well attested. By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance; he went out, not knowing where he was to go (Hebrews 11:1-2, 8).
Photo by author, RISE Tower, Our Lady Fatima University, Valenzuela City, 06 August 2025.
We all believe in something, whether it is something good or something bad. However, what or who we believe in makes the difference because what or who we believe in determines how we live.
That is why Dr. Covey’s declaration is most true, especially when we talk of our End that is actually a Who – God. It is our faith in God who drives us in this life especially when it is dark and difficult, even painful so that we may achieve our End to be with him in eternity. The author of Hebrews found Abraham’s faith journey so remarkable as it enlightens too our own faith journey in God through Jesus Christ our High Priest as a context.
First, the author of Hebrews defined faith as “the realization of what is hoped for and evidence of things not seen.” Faith is more than trusting God in Jesus Christ. For the author of Hebrews, faith is more of knowing and understanding of what lies ahead though it cannot be seen. Faith here is more of having vision than sight, of seeing beyond things, so convinced of its existence even not seen like Noah who built an ark on God’s command even if there were no dark clouds nor rains visible at all. Faith for the author of Hebrews is like our Filipino expression “a…basta!” of having the conviction God created the universe even though no one saw the act of creation. It is something real that “only the heart can see” because it is also borne out of a deep relationship with God and with those we love. See now the three instances cited by the author of Hebrews in Abraham’s faith journey that are similar with our own experiences.
Photo by author, RISE Tower, Our Lady Fatima University, Valenzuela City, 06 August 2025.
“By faith he sojourned in the promised land as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents… for he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and maker is God” (Heb.11:9-10). Abraham was a “pilgrim” – a wayfarer – not only from his place of birth into the promised land but also on the journey from the present into the future and eternity. See how Abraham looked into the End at the start of his journey in God and with God walking on the path of what is to come.
All he had was faith in God. Surely there were times of darkness and distress along the way which the author of the Book of Wisdom in our first reading accurately described as “night of the passover” that reminds us of darkness hovering the path of God. Jesus reiterated this “night of passover” literally and figuratively speaking. Have faith in Christ whenever our journey gets tough and rough, when there are detours or when we actually get lost. God will find us to reach his city he made for us.
“By faith he received power to generate, even though he was past the normal age – and Sarah herself was sterile – for he thought that the one who made the promise was trustworthy” (Heb.11:1). We all know the story of Abraham and Sarah having their own son in old age, of the many twists and turns in their lives before Isaac was finally born and thus fulfilled God’s promise that Abraham became the father of all nations. In Matthew’s genealogy of Jesus Christ, Abraham is mentioned first as a testament of his faith in God that led to the birth of the Messiah.
Photo by author, RISE Tower, Our Lady Fatima University, Valenzuela City, 06 August 2025.
Many times we ask why God takes so long in fulfilling his promises to us. We wonder if God really called us to a certain vocation or profession or wanted this and that for us especially when in our prayers we are convinced of God’s will. Why does God keep us waiting?
Experience had taught us that more than a test of our faith, those waiting moments for God’s answer to our prayers were grace-filled moments of our own transformation into better persons so that we may value more his gifts to us, whether they are persons or things or moments. God is faithful. Remember the words of St. Paul, “God’s gifts and call are permanent and irrevocable” (Rom.11:29).
“By faith Abraham, when put to the test, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was ready to offer his only son…He reasoned that God was able to raise even from the dead, and he received Isaac back as a symbol” (Heb.11:17, 19). This is the most moving and touching in the story of Abraham’s faith: he never doubted nor questioned God at all when he was asked to offer his son Isaac. Imagine how Abraham must have felt after waiting for so long for a son, then suddenly God asked him to offer him back Isaac?
See the unfolding of this scene in Genesis 22 with Abraham totally silent going up the mountain with Isaac who asked what shall they offer to God? Abraham simply assured him God will provide. Everything proceeded in silence until Abraham was to kill Isaac when an angel stopped him and told him how God was so pleased with his fidelity. This scene reminds me of the pain of many parents, especially mothers at the funeral of their son or daughter. It is the most difficult Mass for me to celebrate; normally, it is the children who bury their parents, not the other way around. When parents bury their children, no matter how young or old they may be, it is beyond words. I just try to believe more, to have more faith in God that he would bless and comfort the grieving parents.
Photo by author, RISE Tower, Our Lady Fatima University, Valenzuela City, 06 August 2025.
Abraham’s faith is a gift from God we too have all received and must deepen. It is easier said than done but we have to accept that nothing in this life is really ours to keep for all is God’s. And if ever God takes something from us, it is because he is giving us something even more than what we already have. That is why Jesus asks us in the gospel this Sunday to give up everything for him for he is our only End.
Jesus said to his disciples: “Do not be afraid any longer, little flock, for your Father is pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your belongings and give alms. Provide money bags for yourselves that do not wear out, an inexhaustible treasure in heaven that no thief can reach nor moth destroy. For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be” (Luke 12:32-34).
This Sunday, Jesus invites us to examine where our treasure is for that is where our heart is, giving himself to be our treasure for he alone can lead us to our final End. Like Abraham, Jesus asks us to see beyond the present moment, to give up whatever we have, whether good or bad, people or things, even memories. It is very difficult and even painful but with faith in God, it could be our most liberating and grace-filled moment in life when we learn to forgive and be sorry, to be content, and finally start living by loving and be convinced we are loved because these are all we need in the End. Amen. A blessed week to everyone!
Photo by author, RISE Tower, Our Lady Fatima University, Valenzuela City, 06 August 2025.
Lord My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II Wednesday, Seventeenth Week in Ordinary Time, Year I, 30 July 2025 Exodus 34:29-35 <*((((>< + ><))))*> Matthew 13:44-46
Photo by author, sunrise in Laurel, Batangas, February 2025.
God our Father, it has been quite a long time since these rains started and how I miss seeing the sun rising in the morning like your face appearing before me; how I love arising early in the morning to experience the sunrise that I imagine as closest to the experience of Moses conversing with you, Lord, face to face like two friends; in the sunrise I find and experience the paradox of you, of your presence in absence, when you seem "veiled" to me and everyone.
When he finished speaking with them, he put a veil over his face. Whenever Moses Moses entered the presence of the Lord to converse with him, he removed the veil until he came out again. On coming out, he would tell the children of Israel all that had been commanded. Then the children of Israel would see that the skin of Moses’ face was radiant; so he would again put the veil over his face until he went in to converse with the Lord (Exodus 34:33-35).
"Nobody sees your face, O Lord, and lives again" because to see your face is our final fulfillment in life; to see your face like Moses and still live is to live "veiled" in your mystery that eyes cannot see but the heart and soul can feel and recognize; you come to us, Lord, "veiled" in many instances like the sunrise when I cannot see your face fully and directly like the sun but the more I look at you, the more I experience you in me, the more I become aware of my own face created in your image and likeness; show me your face, God, not as an image but as a reality inside me so that like Moses, your kindness and love may shine in me always, living authentically, living fully in your loving presence, veiled in the mystery and beauty of your kingdom buried like a treasure in the field or like a pearl of great price I would never trade for anything except you in Jesus. Amen.
Photo by author, sunrise over the Pacific from Katmon Nature Sanctuary & Resort, Infanta, Quezon, March 2023.
Lord My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul, 29 July 2025 Tuesday, Memorial of Sts. Martha, Mary and Lazarus, Siblings 1 John 4:7-16 <'[[[[>< + ><]]]]'> John 11:19-27
“The Raising of Lazarus”, 1311 painting by Duccio de Buoninsegna from commons.wikimedia.org
What a beautiful reminder to us, dear Jesus on this day as we celebrate the Memorial of the Holy Siblings Saints Martha, Mary and Lazarus: the only time they are presented as one and complete was during the raising of Lazarus; you were there in their most sorrowful moment in life as brother and sisters because you have always been there with them in good times when they were all alive and well.
I pray, dear Jesus, for all siblings like Saints Martha, Mary and Lazarus to remain one as a family after their parents have been gone; so many times in such deep sorrow, we are like Martha telling you Lord, "if you had been here my brother - or sister or parents -would not have died" (John 11:21); but, your response to her and to us was so rich in meaning we can only summarize in love, "your brother will rise... I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live, and anyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?" (John 11:23, 25-26)
Help me believe like Martha, Jesus; help me believe by being more loving and caring with my family while still alive and well; help me believe by being more understanding and forgiving, more kind and sensitive with my brother or sister while still alive; please help, Jesus the siblings at odds with each other, not talking with each other, grouping together against each other because of betrayals and dishonesty in their share of inheritance; help them seek your face to be more just and loving because "love is of God" (1 John 4:7); let siblings be like Saints Martha, Mary and Lazarus be one in you, Jesus in faith, hope and love while still alive so that in their death they remain one in you. Amen.
Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II Our Lady of Fatima University Valenzuela City (lordmychef@gmail.com)
An icon of Jesus visiting his friends, the siblings Sts. Lazarus, Mary and Martha. Photo from crossroadsinitiative.com.
Lawiswis ng Salita ni P. Nicanor F. Lalog II, Ika-24 ng Hulyo 2025
Larawan kuha ni Maria Tan ng ABS-CBN News, 24 Hulyo 2024 sa P. Florentino Street, Quezon City.
Pangunahing problema tuwing bumabaha ang napakaraming dala nitong “layak” o basura dala ng baha at ng dagat.
Ngunit mayroong higit na marumi at masamang uri ng layak na dulot ng pagbaha. Hindi ito mga bagay na tinatapon sa kapaligiran na bumabara sa maraming kanal at daanan ng tubig kaya bumabaha. Katulad ng mga basurang nagkalat tuwing bumabaha, ang mga layak na ito ay kagagawan din nating mga tao – ito ang sobrang gamit ng cellphone at babad sa social media.
Madalas hindi natin alintana masamang dulot sa ating katauhan ng cellphone at iba pang gadgets na siyang kasangkapan natin upang malulong sa bisyo ng social media. Maraming nang pag-aaral na isinagawa sa pinsalang dulot ng sobrang gamit ng mga gadgets lalo na sa mga bata kaya ilang mauunlad na bansa sa Europa ang mayroong nang mga batas na ipinagbabawal ang mga cellphone sa paaralan.
Ayon sa mga dalubhasa, nakaka-manhid ng pagkatao ang sobrang gamit ng mga gadgets at pagkabantad sa social media. Mayroong kasabihan sa Inggles na “the medium is the message” na buhat sa yumaong Canadian communication expert na si Marshall McLuhan.
Walang tahasang salin sa ating wika ang kanyang pahayag na nagsasaad na ang tao ay nahuhubog ng kasangkapang palagi niyang ginagamit. Katulad ng cellphone kapag sobra ang paggamit nito kaya marami ngayon ang makasarili. Hindi iyang maikakaila lalo sa tahanan na kapag tinawag mga bata upang utusan, ang sagot parati ay “wait” o maghintay kasi mayroong ka-text o mayroong nilalarong game. Higit sa lahat, kitang-kita ang masamang epekto ng cellphone sa katagang selfie na hindi malayo ang tunog at kahulugan sa Inggles na selfish.
Una ko ito napansin noong 2012 habang ako ay nasa parokya at pumupunta sa mga may-sakit at naghihingalo upang magpahid ng Banal na Langis. Matay ko mang isipin – ano nasa puso at kalooban ng isang anak na sa halip na malungkot at magdasal kung naghihingalo ang kanyang ina o ama, ang unang ginagawa ay buksan ang cellphone upang irecord aming pagdarasal? Nang malipat ako bilang kapelyan ng isang pagamutan, ganoon din ang palagi kong nasasaksihan kaya naman ginawa ko nang personal na adbokasya na sabihan mga bantay ng pasyente na bawal ang cellphone tuwing sick call. Mariin kong sinasabihan, minsan ng mga kasamang nurse ang mga bantay ng pasyente malubha man o hindi ang karamdaman na samahan ako sa pagdarasal para gumaling ang may sakit kesa sila ay magkuha ng larawan o video.
Ang masakit nito, pagkatapos kong pahiran ng langis ang pasyente, sasabihan ko mga bantay na mag-rosaryo at saka sila matutulala kasi wala silang rosaryo at ni hindi marunong mag-rosaryo, kabataan man o matanda! Sa pagkakataon na iyon tinuturo ko kabutihann ng cellphone: buksan ninyo ika ko ang YouTube tapos hanapin “how to pray the rosary” at sundan nila iyon upang madasalan kanilang may-sakit o naghihingalong mahal sa buhay.
Gayon din sinasabi ko tuwing magbabasbas ako ng sasakyan o tahanan: itago ninyo inyong mga cellphone at samahan ako na magdasal sa pagbabasbas. Sa halip na magpicture o magvideo wika ko sa mga may-ari ng bahay at sasakyan, magdasal tayo para higit kayong pagpalain.
Sa sobrang cellphone, marami hindi na hababatid ang realidad, ang katotohanan ng kapwa at kapaligiran. Kaya naman hindi na rin masyadong nakapag-iisip at minsan nakakasakit ng damdamin sa mga sinasabi at ginagawa.
Katulad nitong isang vlogger kamakailan nang kasagsagan ng ulan at pagbaha nang sabihin sa kanyang post na sa mga ganitong panahon makikita ang kainaman ng paninirahan sa condominium. Wala aniyang baha at tulo sa mga kisame kaya mahimbing kang makakatulog at pagkatapos ay kakain at manonood ng Netflix. Binatikos ng mga netizens kanyang pagiging insensitive sa kanyang post na di alintana ang maraming mga stranded at lumusong sa baha habang higit pa rin maraming kababayan natin ang ni walang masilungang sariling tahanan na madalas ay puro tulo tuwing tag-ulan.
Mabuti at humingi na ng tawad ang naturang vlogger habang kanyang niliwanag na kaisa siya sa paghihirap ng marami ngayong panahon ng pagbaha dahil aniya, lumaki siya sa mga bahaing lugar ng Valenzuela at Malabon.
Maraming pagkakataon na walang masamang intention ang mga vloggers sa kanilang mga posts; manapa’y, mabuti naman talaga ang kanilang layunin sa kanilang mga inilalabas na content. Subalit hindi po sapat na dahilan ang mabuting layunin sa ano mang gawain dahil wika nga ni San Agustin, “the road to hell is paved with good intentions.”
Mula sa Facebook, 22 Hulyo 2025.
Parang ganito ang nangyari kahapon sa Calumpit, Bulacan – ang tila kawalan ng sensitivity ng kanilang lokal na pamahalaan sa pa-raffle na “E-Ayuda” na kung saan hinikayat ang mga nasalanta ng pagbaha ay magpadala ng kanilang selfie habang nasa loob ng binaha nilang tahanan.
Ano nga kayang pag-iisip nila sa pagtulong na ito? At sa kabila ng maraming pagbabatikos, itinuloy pa rin ang raffle na inere ng live sa Facebook kung saan ang background ay ang malaking imahen ng Mahal na Birheng Maria na marahil noon ay lumuluha sa kapighatian. At kahihiyan.
Hindi natin kinukuwestiyon kabutihan ng kanilang mayora. Maaring siya nga ay matulungin subalit ang kanyang pamamaraan ay sadyang nakakalungkot. Kung anong lalim ng baha sa Calumpit, tila siyang babaw yata ng kanilang pamamaraan ng pagtulong.
Ang higit na malungkot sa kanilang e-Ayuda raffle ay ang matinding pagsuporta at pagtatanggol ng mga taga-Calumpit sa mayora nila. Mababasa sa threads ng diskusyon na wala silang nakitang mali sa ginawa ng kanilang mabuting mayora. Higit sa lahat, anila, huwag makialam ang mga hindi naman taga-roon. Wala daw tayong pakialam dahil hindi natin dama kanilang kalagayan.
Mula sa Facebook, 21 Hulyo 2025.
Iyan ang sinasabi kong masamang epekto nitong sobrang cellphone at social media na nagiging manhid o insensitive tayo sa iba. Iyan ang pinakamababang uri ng isang selfie. Wala daw tayong pakialam sa kanila. Ewan ko kung mayroon pang bababa doon? Sana ay wala na at magising tayo sa katotohanan ng ating pagkatao na mayroong dangal na siyang dapat itanghal sa lahat ng pagkakataon.
Nakakalungkot na isipin na naging manhid na tayo at tila di na dama pagkatao ng kapwa sa panahong ito. Ang pinakamasaklap nito, ang buhay ng tao parang naging showbiz na lamang o isang palabas na dapat panoorin.
Hindi palabas ang buhay kungdi paloob kung saan naroroon ang kabutihang-loob kaya mayroong utang na loob na palaging tinitingnan at tinatandaan. Kapag puro tayo palabas, mawawala na saysay ng buhay at katauhan ng bawat isa. Kaya marahil ganyan nangyayari sa atin ngayon, kanya-kanyang pasikat at pasiklab para sa katanyagan at aminin natin, pera pera na nga lang ang buhay ngayon sa karamihan.
Pagmasdan itong layak at basurang lumalaganap lalo kung panahon ng kalamidad at sakuna na kung saan inuuna ng karamihan ang buksan kanilang cellphone upang kunan o i-video mga nasalanta o naaksidente sa halip na tulungan muna. Maraming nakakalimot na ang mga pinakamahahalagang bagay sa buhay natin ay hindi maaring makita at ni hindi rin kayang ipakita sapagkat ang mga ito ay nakaukit doon sa ating puso at kalooban.
Ang mga higit na mahalalaga sa atin bilang tao ay dinarama sa kalooban. Wala ito sa panlabas nating anyo kaya naman dapat higit nating pangalagaan at ingatan ang bawat tao na nalikhang kawangis at kalarawan ng Diyos na hindi nakikita. Ito ang sabi ng minamahal na alagad ni Jesus, “Walang taong nakakita sa Diyos kailanman, ngunit kung tayo’y nag-iibigan, nasa atin siya at nagiging ganap sa atin ang kanyang pag-ibig” (1 Juan 4:12). Nawa maging tunay ating pagmamahalan at malasakit sa isa’t isa maski hindi nakikita. Basta nadarama. God bless po sa inyo!
Lord My Chef Daily Recipe for Soul, 23 July 2025 Wednesday, Memorial of St. Bridget of Sweden, Religious Exodus 16:1-5, 9-15 <*((((>< + ><))))*> Matthew 13:1-9
Photo by Fr. Pop Dela Cruz, San Miguel, Bulacan, 2022.
Lord Jesus, you are the Sower and your seed is always good: wherever it falls, it grows; most of all, you are most good as you never tire of going out to sow your good seed!
“A sower went out to sow… Whoever has ears ought to hear” (Matthew 13:3,9).
“The Sower” painting by Van Gogh from en.wikipedia.org
Open my heart and my soul, dear Jesus to listen intently to your word and be a "rich soil" like St. Bridget of Sweden whose devotion to family, to her people especially the poor and to Church reforms that led to the return of the papacy to Rome proved her to be a seed well sown; there are times when I am just like the path where your seeds fell that fed only the birds; quite often, I am like the rocky ground so full of enthusiasm but wanes quickly when challenges come; worst of all, Lord Jesus, free me from the many thorns that steal me from you that I stop maturing and growing; let me be the rich soil who receives you and your seed: let your light of truth and warmth of faith help me grow; may your hope nourish me especially when days are dark and nights are long; most of all, water me with your love and charity to bear all and be fruitful. Amen.
Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II Our Lady of Fatima University Valenzuela City
Lord My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul, 18 July 2025 Friday in the Fifteenth Week of Ordinary Time, Year I Exodus 11:10-12:14 <'[[[[>< + ><]]]]'> Matthew 12:1-8
Photo by author, Sacred Heart Novitiate, Novaliches, QC, 20 March 2025.
How lovely are your words today, O God, on this dark, rainy Friday with many light and shadows that show life's many contrasts with you still remaining with us, in us, and among us.
Although Moses and Aaron performed these various wonders in Pharaoh’s presence, the Lord made Pharaoh obstinate, and he would not let the children of Israel leave his land (Exodus 11:10).
You know everything, dear God that is why you set the stage for the first passover at "evening twilight" just in time for the people to see the light of freedom in you; you sometimes allow storms to happen but you already have provisions for us beforehand:
Jesus was going through a field of grain on the sabbath. His disciples were hungry and began ton pick the heads of grain and eat them (Matthew 12:1).
What a beautiful contrast is today's gospel!
How did it happen the Twelve were hungry while with Jesus who had fed more than 5000 people with just five loaves of bread and two pieces of fish?
Right there under the glaring light and heat of the sun on a Sabbath when you "fed" on the Twelve with grains in the field; moreover, when criticized by your enemies, you defended the Twelve!
You are a God of
mystery, Jesus!
Truly "greater than
the temple" for you are
the Christ,
the Son of God
who became human like us
to show us you are with us,
in us,
and among us
when everything seems
so dark or so bright
that may blind our sights;
incline our hearts to you, Jesus
who "desires mercy,
not sacrifices"
so that when we grapple
in light and shadows,
it is solely you whom we hold on.
Amen.
Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II
Our Lady of Fatima University
Valenzuela City
Photo by author, Sacred Heart Novitiate, Novaliches 20 March 2025.
Lord My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul, 17 July 2025 Thursday, Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time, Year I Exodus 3:13-20 <*(((>< + ><)))*> Matthew 11:28-30
Photo by author, Cabo da Roca, Pundaquit, San Antonio, Zambales, 14 May 2025.
Today, I tried going back to your presence, Lord; I tried feeling your sacred ground again; there was no burning bush to see but I felt my heart burning inside as I dwelled on your name:
God replied, “I am who am.” Then he added, “This is what you shall tell the children of Israel: I Am sent me to you.” God spoke further to Moses, “This is my name forever; this is my title for all generations” (Exodus 3:14-15).
Unlike our name, your name "I AM", Lord is most unique - right away when I say your name, I feel you! Your name is more than a name for it is YOU yourself - so deep, so true, so powerful that you envelop me in your person; when I think of your name "I AM", I am already dissolved and overwhelmed! Moreover, your "I AM" is exactly what I feel, and realize, and experience in Christ calling us:
“Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).
Photo by author, Sacred Heart Novitiate, Novaliches, QC, 2023.
Today I come to you, Jesus with all my burdens and worries, pains and hurts, sickness and sufferings; you are I AM, Lord - heed our cries like in Egypt: the crime and corruption so rampant, the selfishness and pride of everyone, the sin and evil that stink, a kind of darkness lurking everywhere; yes, there are modern Pharaohs lording over us today but most of all too, it is us who lord over our lives most of the time; bring us back to the burning bush so we may take off our sandals because the whole earth is yours which we have usurped and destroyed; let us feel you again, "I AM" all around, all encompassing; let us enter you, Lord, to experience your abundance of love and mercy, warmth and light, life and new hope; let us rest in you, Lord like in Eden when you alone is God. Not us. Amen.
Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II Our Lady of Fatima University Valenzuela City
Photo by author, Hidden Spring Resort, Calauan, Laguna, February 2025.
Quiet Storm by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II, 15 July 2025
From the internet.
Bless me, for I have sinned: this Father is a “dinosaur” so afraid of modern technology, so hesitant even in upgrading my cellphone and laptop. And most of all, always suspicious of messages in social media.
Generally, I am more inclined to mistrust everything in the net. But, something happened this Monday that I feel like changing this attitude.
I have celebrated Mass of the Holy Spirit in our Cabanatuan City campus before noon when I found multiple “message requests” from some people asking if I know their former boss at NEDA, Mr. Joseph T. Lalog, a first cousin we fondly called Kuya Jojo.
My initial reaction was budol. Scam.
But when I read that he was in the ER of a hospital in EDSA, I prayed and finally hit the number sent to me by a certain Byron to inquire about Kuya Jojo. After a brief introduction, I was told Kuya Jojo had just died after being rushed that morning to the Victor R. Potenciano Medical Center (VRPMC) in EDSA, Mandaluyong City.
Kuya Jojo was allegedly found by a janitress lying on the floor in one of the restrooms of Shangrila Mall morning of July 14, 2025. He was rushed by the mall’s emergency response team to the ER of VRPMC where doctors tried to revive him but later declared as dead around noon that Monday.
The people at the ER checked Kuya Jojo’s contacts in his cellphone and like my initial reaction, his former staff and colleagues at work thought it was also budol until after they have personally called the hospital with some of them going there to verify the report.
That was when Byron and his colleagues at NEDA who were under Kuya Jojo tried reaching out to us by checking his Facebook contact lists of “Lalog” and “Tobias”. And similarly, we all suspected it could be a scam because Kuya Jojo had always been healthy without any vice at all. He was a varsity of the track and field team at De La Salle University where he finished AB Political Science.
What convinced me to set aside my doubts and press that number provided by Byron was his message that my Kuya Jojo would always speak to him about my being a priest. He asked in one of his texts, “kayo po ba si Father Nick pinsan ni Sir Jojo?” With that, I finally felt deep inside this must be true. Not a scam. Or budol.
Mahirap palang maging netizen, mabuhay sa internet.
You know that daily or maybe every second of struggles just to verify and check whether those messages and information in the social media are true or not.
Baka niloloko ka lang? O, ako lang ang OC, takot at duda sa social media?
Ang hirap lalo na sa gitna ng maraming kuwento ng pangloloko at mga budol ng kung sino sino sa social media at internet na kahit kaming mga pari niloloko o ginagamit sa pangbubudol!
At ang pinakamahirap sa lahat – kapag binabanggit na pangalan ng mga taong malapit sa iyo katulad ng pinsan kong buo na si Kuya Jojo. Ang hirap at nakakatakot paniwalaan mga texts na namatay o kung napano na…
That entire stretch of travel from Cabanatuan City to EDSA, I felt being warped between reality and virtual reality, between the net and the real world. What if this is not true? Paano ako?
Aside from those things running in my mind, I was also thinking of my elder relatives. How am I going to break the news? How reliable were those people if they were really the colleagues and staff of my cousin even after I spoke to one of them on phone?
As I thought of my cousin lying on the floor of the CR of the mall, suddenly I remembered last Sunday’s gospel of the good Samaritan. It was like a modern version. My cousin almost dead or already dead on the marble floor of the restroom when a janitress had the courage and mercy to call their emergency response team.
Most of all, of the most kindred souls of Kuya Jojo’s friends and colleagues who never gave up on reaching out to us. They are all the modern good Samaritans who “treated him with mercy” (Lk.10:37).
Photo by author, 14 July 2025.
I arrived 4:30 PM in the hospital where the ER doctor in charge briefed me of Kuya Jojo’s death. Soon Byron arrived and told the doctor my cousin’s medical condition while the funeral service sent by my uncle in Los Baños finally arrived at around 8:00 PM.
At the morgue, I gave the final blessings for Kuya Jojo before being transported to Los Baños where his wake will be held at the Heaven’s Gate Memorial Park in Bgy. Anos. After thanking and blessing Byron and the hospital staff, I booked my ride home as I had earlier sent home our university driver to rest for another trip to our Pampanga campus the following morning.
In less than ten minutes I was on board my Grab ride to Valenzuela City, still wondering what had happened that Monday. As I scrolled on my Facebook and Instagram with its bright light filling my ride, I felt a sense of relief that Jesus is very much present in the internet, in social media. St. Paul wrote it so well more than 2000 years ago that “where sin increased, grace overflowed all the more” (Rom. 5:20).
No matter how bad we see the world including the internet these days with its many sins and evil, God assured me that night that there are still far more good people, good Samaritans than evil ones. We simply have to make the right choice always by choosing Jesus who remains “the way, the truth, and the life” (Jn. 14:6). God bless everyone!
*Thank you to the staff and colleagues of the late Joseph T. Lalog at the NEDA. We do not have yet the details of his wake and interment as his sisters are arriving only this Thursday. On behalf of our clan, thank you and may God bless you more!
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