When Our Cries Become a Prayer

The Lord Is My Chef Breakfast Recipe-Prayer

Thursday, 22 November 2018, Week XXXIII, Year II

Revelation 5:1-10///Luke 19:41-44

Lord Jesus Christ, you taught us in your sermon on the mount that “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted” (Mt.5:4).

Thank you for blessing our crying, our weeping and most of all, thank you very much for crying with us, for crying for us: “As Jesus drew near Jerusalem, he saw the city and wept over it” (Lk.19:41). In our first reading today, your beloved disciple John “shed many tears because no one was found worthy to open or examine the scroll” (Rev.5:4).

Thank you for the gift of tears, Jesus. I pray for those crying, especially those who cry in silence, those who cry alone. Crying is praying. Tears are some of the sweetest prayers we can all offer to you because when we cry, we are blessed to be truly poor and helpless before you, relying only to your saving and healing powers. When we cry, we are so blessed because we can sympathize and suffer with those who are suffering. When we cry, our tears cleanse not only our eyes but also our hearts, slowly washing away the pains and hurts sins have left in us.

The world refuses to cry, trying to hide or cover pains and hurts including sins with pleasures and other forms of diversion. I pray also for them, Lord Jesus, that they may stop hiding their tears because when we refuse to cry, we deny your Holy Cross.

Give me the grace, Lord Jesus Christ, to see things as they truly are. Let me sympathize with those in pain and suffering, to “weep with those who weep” (Rom. 12:15) that together, you may all comfort and console us with your abiding love and mercy, might and presence.

Let us join the choirs in heaven saw by John to sing the new hymn, “Worthy are you to receive the scroll and break open its seals, for you were slain and with your Blood you purchased for God those from every tribe and tongue, people and nation. You made them a kingdom and priests for our God, and they will reign on earth” (Rev.5:9-10). AMEN. Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II, Parokya ng San Juan Apostol at Ebanghelista, Gov. F. Halili Ave., Bagbaguin, Sta. Maria, Bulacan 3022.

*Photo by the author of the church Dominus Flevit (Latin for “the Lord wept”) with roof shaped like tears outside Jerusalem taken in April 2017. It is believed to be the site where our gospel scene today took place.

LMC

Ano Nga Ba ang Inaabangan sa Pasko?

Lawiswis ng Salita ni P. Nicanor F. Lalog II, Ika-20 ng Nobyembre 2018

Minsa’y nagmisa ako sa aming mababang paaralan

At sa aking panimula aking nausisa mga bata

Kung ilang araw na nga lang ba ang Pasko?

Nag-uunahan, nakangiti na tila baga bumabati

At kasali sa laban o bawi, buong galak nilang sinabi

“41 days before Christmas!”

Ako’y nagulat, kanila pala’ng inaabangan

Araw ng Pasko kaya’t bilang nila kung ilang araw na lang

Habang ako nama’y nagulantang sa gayong katotohanan.

Bakit nga ba tayo sabik sa araw ng Pasko?

Ano nga ba ating inaabangan

Palagi tayong mayroong countdown?

Kung ang Pasko ay isang petsa nga lang,

Bakit hindi na lang tayo magbilangan

Bagong Taon pa lamang?

Madalas sa ating karanasan

Tayo ma’y natitigilan kinagabihan ng Pasko

Lalo na’t nagkaubusan ng pagkai’t mga pamaskong pinaghandaan.

Ito nga lang ba ang dahilan at kahulugan ng Kapaskuhan?

Lahat ng kaabalahanan at kapaguran sa paghihintay

Di malaman kung napasaan?

Kung ating pagninilayan diwa ng Pasko

Araw-araw itong maipagdiriwang kung sa puso natin sumisilang

Itong si Hesus at hindi sa sabsaban.

Higit sa petsa ng Kanyang kapanganakan

Ang Pasko ay isang kaganapan nang makialam

Sa ating kaguluhan ang Diyos na walang hanggan;

Kanyang pinunan, ating kakulangan

Binigyang saysay buhay nating walang kabuluhan

Upang tayong sinilang sa kasalanan, magkaroon ng kabanalan.

Mamuhay tayo’ng lagi sa Kanyang kapanatilihan

Upang ngayon pa lamang ay maranasan hatid Niyang kagalakan

Kesa ito’y abangan at malibang sa pagbibilang ng petsa at buwan.

Larawan ay kuha ng may-akda, Belen ng Manor House sa Camp John Hay, Baguio, Nobyembre 2017.

Prayer to be filled with Life Anew

The Lord Is My Chef Breakfast Recipe-Prayer

Tuesday, 20 November 2018, Week XXXIII, Year II

Revelation 3:1-6, 14-22///Luke 19:1-10

Lord Jesus Christ, today I feel like your beloved disciple John, receiving your revelations not about the end of time but about my real self.

Like the people of Sardis, so often I have that “reputation of being alive but actually dead (Rev.3:1).” Yes, there are times I merely accomplish things for you but deeply lacking with life and vitality, zest and enthusiasm. On the surface, like what St. Paul had noted in one of his letters, I act like busy body but really doing nothing. If yesterday I lacked love in the things I do, most likely I also lack life. When there is love, there is always life.

Like the people of Sardis, I would always hide on the sides refusing to walk on the main street because I do not have the drive to be with you on the way. Like Zachaeus, I climb trees to hide from others though too eager to see you, to look at you, to listen to you.

Give me the grace to be filled with life anew, with warmth and energy, to make a stand for the gospel, to stand for what is true and just. Forgive me in my lifelessness that made me lukewarm in the process like the people of Laodicea who were neither hot nor cold (Rev. 3:16). Do not spit me out of your mouth, Lord. Like Zachaeus, give me the grace to turn away from sins and evil, to make a stand for justice and truth.

Let your salvation come today Lord in many families divided! Like what you did in entering upon the home of Zachaeus, smash the walls dividing many family members from one another like indifference and coldness. Fill them with more love and life, kindness and warmth, goodwill and concern for one another. I pray for all family members who have stopped talking with each other, those with festering bitterness and suspicions deep inside, those who continue to hurt each other in words or in deeds, in silence and indifference. Rekindle the warmth of their kinship, of their being one flesh, one blood, one root, one family. AMEN. Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II, Parokya ng San Juan Apostol at Ebanghelista, Gov. F. Halili Ave., Bagbaguin, Sta. Maria, Bulacan 3022.

Photo by the author, Manor House, Camp John Hay, Baguio City, November 2017.

LMC

Prayer to See Love Anew

Breakfast Recipe-Prayer, Monday

19 November 2018, Week XXXIII, Year II

Revelation 1: 1-4; 2:1-5///Luke 18:35-43

Praise and thanksgiving to you O God, loving and merciful Father!

Thank for making me realize on this beautiful Monday that doing so many good things are not enough if there is no love. So many times I am blinded by the ministry, by the work to be done, by the people to be helped out, even by you, my God, that I do so many things for you without any love at all.

I’m sorry, Lord. There are times that ministry and service, even the very life of holiness become a task or a work to be done and completed, empty of any love at all. There are many times I see myself becoming like the Ephesians in St. John’s vision filled with energy and vigor in the mission but empty of love.

Heal my blindness, O Lord! Let me regain not only my sight to see things clearly but to see you most especially in your essence, in love. Let me see love in everything I do, love in the people I meet and serve. Let me see, O Lord that love you have filled me with so much that I have forgotten and even refused to share sometimes. AMEN. Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II, Parokya ng San Juan Apostol at Ebanghelista, Gov. F. Halili Ave., Bagbaguin, Sta. Maria, Bulacan 3022.

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“Seasons of Love” from the musical “Rent” (1996)

yellow watch on tabletop — Photo by Vincenzo Malagoli on Pexels.com

LordMyChefSundayMusic//Week XXXIII-B//18 November 2018

And Life Goes On…with Love

What matters most in this life is not really what we have achieved but what we have become: have we been more loving, more understanding, more forgiving? Today’s gospel reminds us of the end of time. It is something we must not be afraid of but actually anticipate with joy because eventually, we all die. But we do not simply die by ourselves. We die in Jesus Christ. And to die in Christ is to live in love. The moment we come to terms with life, then, we come to terms with death because that is when we start living in love. Love is the only measure of life as expressed in this beautiful music from the rock opera “Rent” of 1996. Enjoy your Sunday with a lot of love with everyone! A lovely Sunday and week ahead of everyone!

Five hundred twenty-five thousand six hundred minutes
Five hundred twenty-five thousand moments so dear
Five hundred twenty-five thousand six hundred minutes
How do you measure, measure a year?

In daylights, in sunsets
In midnights, in cups of coffee
In inches, in miles
In laughter, in strife

In five hundred twenty-five thousand six hundred minutes
How do you measure a year in the life

How about love?(3x)
Measure in love
Seasons of love
Seasons of love

Five hundred twenty-five thousand six hundred minutes
Five hundred twenty-five thousand
Journeys to plan

Five hundred twenty-five thousand six hundred minutes
How do you measure the life
Of a woman or a man?

In truths that she learned
Or in times that he cried
In bridges he burned
Or the way that she died

It’s time now to sing out
Tho’ the story never ends
Let’s celebrate
Remember a year in the life of friends

Remember the love (3x)
Measure in love
Measure, measure your life in love

Seasons of love
Seasons of love

And Life Goes On…with Love

The Lord Is My Chef Sunday Recipe, Week XXXIII-B, 18 November 2018

Daniel 12:1-3///Hebrews 10:11-14, 18///Mark 13:24-32

A clockmaker was about to finish a grandfather’s clock when the pendulum spoke and begged him not to be given that task of swinging back and forth to measure time. “I am afraid I might not be able to do my job well when I have to swing every second or 60 times a minute, about 3600 an hour or 86400 a day,” the pendulum explained to the clockmaker who assured him everything would be fine. The pendulum believed his maker. Life goes on with the pendulum, tick-tock, tick-tock, sounding the chime every hour long even after his clockmaker had died. In a sense, our lives are like the pendulum continually swinging, sometimes late, sometimes advanced. When 2018 started, we felt so unsure of how this year would be but here we are, about to end the year as we look forward for the coming 2019.

After celebrating All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day, we are now in the penultimate week of our liturgical calendar set to close on Sunday with the Solemnity of Christ the King. Today we are invited to focus on the “end time” called the eschaton or days of fulfillment of all that God has promised. In fact, every celebration of the Mass is oriented towards this end, especially when we proclaim the mystery of faith, “Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again.” In the Apostle’s Creed we profess every Sunday our belief in Jesus Christ “who shall come again to judge the living and the dead” as well as in the “communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of body and life everlasting.”

Jesus said to his disciples: “In those days after that tribulation the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will be falling from the sky, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken.” (Mk.13:24-25)

Jesus was still in the Temple and the people were marveling at its beauty when he spoke of these words, predicting its fall that would happen in the year 70 AD when Rome sacked Jerusalem. But most of all, Jesus was speaking here in the classical language of apocalypse (from the Greek apocalypsis or revelation). It is the same literary genre used in our first reading from the Book of Daniel. Apocalyptic writings are not meant to be taken literally or even be imagined and pictured in its cosmic upheavals alluded to. Jesus is not scaring us of the coming tribulations but is trying to evoke in us the image of a new creation dawning where the sun will be darkened, the moon will lose its light as the stars fall before His splendor as the returning Son of Man (see Rev. 21:23). Recall how in Genesis God first created light by separating it from darkness when earth was all chaos and formless; then, He created the sun, moon, and stars to light the earth by fixing days and nights and years. “In those days” life was simple and a bliss until sin came and everything was shattered. In His infinite goodness, God preserved His creation and promised salvation to renew everything in the coming Savior. “In those days” though there were disturbances and breaks from all the beauty of creation, life went on. There was no need to destroy everything to start anew. God perfects His creation amidst the many imperfections we are into. Just like in our own experiences with the many tribulations we are going through like sickness, losses and deaths. These words of the Lord and of the prophet Daniel are actually encouraging us to look at the fulfillment of the good news, the Gospel of Jesus Christ Himself personally coming to us, personally involved with us and in us.

“And then they will see ‘the Son of Man coming in the clouds’ with great power and glory, and then he will send out the angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the end of the earth to the end of the sky.” (Mk.13:26-27)

A cousin in Canada emailed me one early Sunday morning last month of his being diagnosed with advanced stage of liver cancer. A former soldier who had spent ten years in Mindanao as a Scout Ranger, he simply told me to pray for him in his life’s final battle. More than the sadness is the pain still in my heart with his condition that it took me the whole day to write him back to assure him of my prayers. His siblings along with some cousins and relatives flew to visit him in Toronto, all praying for some miracle. I chose to be silent in their prayers for a miracle because that very day he told me of his cancer, I have offered him to God. Like Jesus Christ, it is not being a “kj” or killjoy to focus more on the coming eschaton and apocalyptic realities of present tribulations we are going through. Death surely comes. We are all going through many tribulations at the moment as individuals, as families, as communities and as a nation. And things could even get worst before things get any better, here or hereafter. That’s the reality of life we must face with joy and anticipation. The prophet Daniel mentions in his vision seeing God sending us Archangel Michael to help us in our battle with evil in this life. God recognizes the severity and gravity of our tribulations that He had sent us St. Michael so that life would go on while we await that eschaton that must be our gaze despite not knowing when it would be. What the Lord is telling us is to learn from the fig tree, to always see each passing day as a changing of season, a time of rebirth, of living in His presence which the author of the letter to the Hebrews implies as always standing and faithful in our duties as disciples of Christ now“seated at the right hand of the Father in heaven”.

Life goes on with all the tribulations in and around us because God never leaves us alone. There would always be destructions and endings in life to give way to more recreations and new beginnings. The key is to be like the pendulum, remaining faithful in our task of lovingly serving God among those around us. In 1996, the rock musical “Rent” opened in Broadway. Its theme song is called “Seasons of Love” which says life is measured not in minutes or time but in love. Very true! The most important and memorable events of our lives are those moments we have loved or we have been loved. To live is to love and that is why if you want to be eternal, love for only love shall remain. And it is love that will see us through in this life that is passing. You are loved! AMEN.Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II, Parokya ni San Juan Apostol at Ebanghelista, Gov. F. Halili Ave., Bagbaguin, Sta. Maria, Bulacan 3022.

*Photo by Mr. Howie Severino of GMA-7 News, Taal Lake, 13 November 2018. Used with permission. Photo below from Google.

romans823

Prayer to Live in Love

The Lord Is My Chef Breakfast Recipe-Prayer

Friday, 16 November 2018, Week XXXII, Year II

2 John 4-9//Luke 17:26-37

Today O God I join the psalmist in singing praise to you, praying to live in love:

“Blessed are they whose way is blameless, who walks in the law of the Lord.”(Ps.119:1) You only have one law, O God, which is to love you and to love others.

“Blessed are they who observe his decrees, seek him with all their heart.” (Ps. 119: 2) To follow your love is to live in love, to desire only love in my heart.

“With all my heart I seek you; let me not stray from your commands.” (Ps.119:10) To have love in my heart is to be blessed by you, O God. Fill me with more love.

“Within my heart I treasure your promise that I may not sin against you.” (Ps.119:11) To sin is a refusal to love as you have commanded us. Fill me with more love.

“Be good to your servant, that I may live and keep your words.” (Ps.119:17) Let me not be deceived, O God, to remain faithful in Christ’s teaching of love.

“Open my eyes, that I may consider the wonders of your law.” (Ps.119:18) To be loved is to be touched by you, O God.

Open my eyes, O God, to see the many instances you have loved me, you have touched me through the kindness and goodness of others. Open my eyes to see how much you love me in the wonderful turn of events no matter how difficult or painful these may be. Open my eyes to see those around me needing your love, who could not see you or feel you because we who have been filled with your love as too selfish to share your love with them.

It is only when I begin to live in love that I come to terms with the end that comes in every here and now. It is only when I live in love when I am truly alive, when I am truly present in you and with others, seeing your daily coming like in the time of Noah. AMEN. Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II, Parokya ng San Juan Apostol at Ebanghelista, Gov. F. Halili Ave., Bagbaguin, Sta. Maria, Bulacan 3022.

*Photo by author, SCTEx-Subic, October 2018.

Refresh My Heart in Jesus

The Lord Is My Chef Breakfast Recipe-Prayer

Thursday, 15 November 2018, 21^st Anniversary of Diaconal Ordination

Philemon 7-20//Luke 17:20-25

Alleluia! The Lord shall reign forever! Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob.

Twenty-one years ago today, Lord Jesus Christ, you gifted me with six of my other classmates the Holy Order of Diaconate. For 21 years, you have never left me Lord Jesus Christ as I continue to serve you despite my many limitations and sins.

How wonderful O Lord that on this day as I remember my diaconal ordination, St. Paul writes Philemon about his slave – servant – Onesimus. And how perfect is the request of St. Paul to Philemon to be my prayer too on this joyous occasion, “refresh my heart in you (v.20)”, Lord Jesus Christ.

Refresh my heart in you Lord by letting me behold always that the Kingdom of God is among us when we serve as you willed in the washing of the apostles’ feet on Holy Thursday.

Refresh my heart in you Lord by letting me behold always that the Kingdom of God is among us when we proclaim the gospel in words and in deeds, destroying barriers of race, gender and class among us.

Refresh my heart in you Lord by letting me behold always that the Kingdom of God is among us when we live in harmony with one another in you Christ Jesus, letting go of our many “perceived” privileges and entitlements that betray the truth of your gospel.

Twenty-one years ago, O Jesus our Eternal High Priest, every morning I have the same prayer before you: “Here I am Lord, send me. For every here and now, let me do your will.” AMEN. Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II, Parokya ng San Juan Apostol at Ebanghelista, Gov. F. Halili Ave., Bagbaguin, Sta. Maria, Bulacan 3022.

Photo above from Google, Jesus washes feet of Apostles on Holy Thursday when He asked us to serve one another like Him (see John 13:12-15).

Photo below taken last year during our annual clergy retreat in Tagaytay clockwise from center Fr. Arnel Camacho, Fr. Joshua Panganiban, me, Fr. Ed Rodriguez our class president when we were ordained, Fr. Romy Sasi and Fr. Len Hernandez. God is so good with us. Pray for us to “refresh our hearts in Christ”. Salamuch.

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Growing In Holiness In Jesus

The Lord Is My Chef Breakfast Recipe-Prayer

Wednesday, 14 November 2018, Week XXXII, Year II

Titus 3:1-7//Luke 17:11-19

Lord Jesus Christ, it is the middle of the week and because of your mercy and love, I have overcome many obstacles as well as accomplished many things since Monday. It is pure grace from you that I am still well, whole and complete physically, mentally and emotionally.

What could possibly be my adequate response to your gifts of love and mercy, Lord Jesus?

More than expressing my gratitude to you like that Samaritan leper you have healed in today’s gospel, help me to grow in holiness in you by going back to you, by being rooted in you.

Growing in holiness in you Jesus is being filled with you.

Growing in holiness in you Jesus is being led by you, my shepherd (Ps.23:1).

Growing in holiness in you Jesus is more than avoiding sin and evil, but doing what is good and just as I walk in this valley of darkness (Ps.23:4).

Growing in holiness in you Jesus is being “obedient and open to every good enterprise (Titus 3:1).”

Growing in holiness in you Jesus is “slandering no one, being peaceable, considerate, exercising all graciousness toward everyone” (Titus 3:2).

Thank you Jesus Christ in giving me with so much; I know I have given so little. Help me to give more of myself, give more of my presence with others, and most especially to give more of you dwelling in me. AMEN. Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II, Parokya ng San Juan Apostol at Ebanghelista, Gov. F. Halili Ave., Bagbaguin, Sta. Maria, Bulacan 3022.

*Photo by my former student at ICSB, Arch. Philip Santiago at the Fatima Square, Portugal, September 2018. Used with permission.

Living In the Lord

The Lord Is My Chef Breakfast Recipe-Prayer

Tuesday, 13 November 2018, Week XXXII, Year II

Titus 2:1-8, 11-14//Luke 17:7-10

Lord Jesus Christ, your birthday is fast approaching as the weather is getting better with chilly mornings, warm sunshine during the day tempered by cool breeze blowing to remind me of the changing of seasons, of the coming end of the year.

What a beautiful reminder to us all of living in your presence, growing and maturing in your loving service, O Lord!

Like Titus in the first reading, help me “to say what is consistent with sound doctrine” (Titus 2:1) based on your teachings. Help me to live as older men and women of faith who are “temperate and reverent in behavior, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, love and endurance.” (Titus 2:2-3) Help me to be “a model of good deeds in every respect, living temperately, justly, and devoutly in this age.” (Titus 2:7, 12)

Let me take delight in you O Lord Jesus Christ, my Master, faithfully doing what I am obliged to do like the “unprofitable servants” in your parable today (Lk.17:10). AMEN. Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II, Parokya ng San Juan Apostol at Ebanghelista, Gov. F. Halili Ave., Bagbaguin, Sta. Maria, Bulacan 3022.

*Photo from Google.