Finding Meaning and Direction in Life

The Lord Is My Chef Breakfast Recipe-Prayer

Thursday//27September2018//Week XXV//Year II

Ecclesiastes 1:2-11///Luke 9:7-9

It is a Thursday Lord and I wonder what you feel how we have made this day a “throwback Thursday” when we all look back to the past partly just for fun, partly perhaps to find meaning in life today. We listen to old music, we dig albums for old photos to reminisce good old days to feel good, to find direction and meaning in life.

And despite all these, Qoheleth hit it right, “What has been, that will be, what has been done, that will be done. Nothing is new under the sun.”(Eccl.1:9)

There are times we are like Herod the tetrarch in today’s gospel who could not believe at all the wondrous things happening around despite the many darkness in life. There are times we have refused to accept and recognize your presence among us, Lord Jesus, amid the many sufferings and poverty in this world because we are scandalized by your cross. We are so afraid to even get near your cross not knowing that you can only be found there.

Fill our hearts with the same courage and charity you have given St. Vincent de Paul who found you among the poorest of the poor he had willingly served in his lifetime. Make us realize like him that meaning and direction in life can only be found in you and your cross, lest everything becomes “vanity of vanities”. AMEN. Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II, Parokya ng San Juan Apostol at Ebanghelista, Gov. F. Halili Ave., Bagbaguin, Sta. Maria, Bulacan 3022.

*Photo by Mr. Raffy Tima of GMA-7 News, Batanes before Typhoon Ompong, 14 September 2018. Used with permission.

Deepening Our Family Ties In Christ

The Lord Is My Chef Breakfast Recipe-Prayer

Tuesday//25September2018//Week XXV//Year II

Proverbs 21:1-6, 10-13///Luke 8:19-21

Dearest God:

Every time we would pray, we always call you “our Father” without really realizing its deeper meaning and implications. Today’s gospel surprised and even shocked us when your Son Jesus Christ claimed “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and act on it.”(Lk.8:21) Thank you in showing to us the deeper realities of our family that we always take for granted.

It is always easy to know who are our family but so difficult to recognize them deeper and truly with all the love and respect as father and mother, brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus. Give us the grace like Jesus to find our relationships rooted in you so we can have more harmony and peace in the family. Bless us today with your grace to always “do what is right and just”especially in dealing with our family for that is “more acceptable to you than sacrifice.” (Prov.21:3) 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.

“That’s The Way of the World” by Earth, Wind and Fire (1975)

LordMyChefSundayMusic//Week XXV-B//23September2018

The Way of the World Vs. The Way of the Lord

For our Sunday music today, we take the title track from the sixth studio album of the renowned group Earth, Wind and Fire“That’s The Way of the World” released in March 15, 1975. It is also the soundtrack of the movie of the same title at that time. EWF’s “That’s the Way of the World” hits the inner chords of our souls that perfectly fits the Sunday gospel where Jesus identified Himself with a child to show us how our relationship with children (and women) also reflect our relationship with God: “Whoever receives one child such as this in my name, receives me; and whoever receives me, receives not me but the One who sent me.” (Mk.9:37)

Childhood is a value in itself, the most pristine image of holiness, of God! When we go back in the gospels and see the teachings of Jesus Christ, we always find His constant reference to children and to childhood, warning us not to lead them into sin because their angels are always guarding them (Mt.18:1-10). It is plain and simple that anyone who abuses and molests children and women are not of God. And that is the problem we have always have in the way of the world in relating with children, contrary to the way of the Lord which is to becoming like a little child (Mt.18:3). EWF captures in their song this problem lost in our insistence of being “adults”.

Hearts of fire creates love desire
Take you high and higher to the world you belong
Hearts of fire creates love desire
High and higher to your place on the throne

We come together on this special day
Sing our message loud and clear
Looking back, we’ve touched on sorrowful days
Future pass, they disappear
You will find peace of mind
If you look way down in your heart and soul
Don’t hesitate ’cause the world seems cold
Stay young at heart, ’cause you’re never, never old

That’s the way of the world
Plant your flower and you grow a pearl
Child is born with a heart of gold
Way of the world makes his heart so cold

Hearts of fire create love desire take you
High and higher to the world you belong
Hearts of fire love desire
High and higher, yeah yeah yeah
Hearts of fire love desire

Ahh higher

*Photo courtesy of Mr. Raffy Tima of GMA News taken at Batanes a day before typhoon Ompong hit the country Sept. 14, 2018. Used with permission.

Why Life Is Precious

LordMyChef “TGIF” Quote, 21 September 2018:

“The beauty and preciousness of life is intimately linked with its fragility and mortality. We can experience that everyday — when we take a flower in our hands, when we see a butterfly dance in the air, when we caress a little baby. Fragility and giftedness are both there, and our joy is connected with both.” (Fr. Henri Nouwen, “With Burning Hearts”, page 34.)

bloom blooming blossom blur — Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Loving Much

The Lord Is My Chef Breakfast Recipe-Prayer

Thursday//20September2018//Week XXIV//Year II

1 Corinthians 15:1-11///Luke 7:36-50

Dearest Lord Jesus Christ,

On this feast of South Korea’s first priest-saint Andrew Kim Taegon and companions, I praise and thank you for your immense love expressed in forgiving my many sins.

In your mercy, my sinful moments have become my deepest religious experiences too. Whenever I find myself in grave sin, full of shame that I could not even call your name, you are always there – lovingly, patiently waiting for me. Silently and very kindly, welcoming me to come near you even if I have not told you “I am sorry” or “please forgive me.”

You know me so well, and that’s the most amazing thing – that you still love me!

Like that woman in Simon’s house you have allowed to come to you, to cry at your feet and wipe them dry with her hair, kissing them and anointing them with ointment (Lk. 7: 37-38), you just sat there, full of gentleness and mercy. Though you knew who she was and, most especially of how the people there judged and condemned her, you remained silent. But when you finally spoke out loud, your words were unbelievable: “Your sins are forgiven.” (Lk.7:48)

So wonderful, O Lord, of you reminding me always to strive harder to love and serve you among others because when I recall my many sins and feel shameful, that is also when I must feel grateful to you like Paul and that sinful woman.

Teach me, Lord Jesus, to love much because much was forgiven of me, first by forgiving those who have hurt me so I could give them all the chances you have given me.AMEN. Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II, Parokya ng San Juan Apostol at Ebanghelista, Gov. F. Halili Ave., Bagbaguin, Sta. Maria, Bulacan 3022.

Photo courtesy of Mr. Raffy Tima of GMANews, Batanes After Typhoon Ompong, 18 September 2018. Used with his permission.

On Being Fair

LordMyChef “I-Like-Mondays” Quote, 17 September 2018:

“Those above you, will one day be below you.

Those below you, will one day be above you.

That’s why you always treat everyone, as those beside you.”

(Iain S. Thomas, “”I Wrote This For You: Just the Words”, page 153.)

walkbesidecamus

Photos from Google.

What to do with our losses?

LordMyChef “TGIF” Quote, 14 September 2018

“If there is any word that summarizes well our pain, it is the word ‘loss.’ We have lost so much! What to do with our losses? That’s the first question that faces us. This is how the journey starts. The question is whether our losses lead to resentment or to gratitude.

Mourning our losses is the first step away from resentment and toward gratitude in our celebration of the Holy Eucharist. The tears of our grief can soften our hardened hearts and open us to the possibility to say ‘thanks.'” (Fr. Henri J.M. Nouwen, “With Burning Hearts”, pp. 28, 32, 34)

Photo by Fr. Nick F. Lalog II, Betania Retreat House, Tagaytay City, 21 August 2017.

To Love Like Jesus

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The Lord Is My Chef Breakfast Recipe-Prayer

Thursday, 13 September 2018, Week XXIII, Year II

1 Corinthians 8:1-7,11-13///Luke 6:27-38

O loving Father, today we pray for those who have hurt us, for those who have wounded us so deeply, those we have loved but turned against us. Most especially, we pray for those who have hurt us who are now asking our forgiveness. It is very difficult Lord but it can be done in your Son.

“Knowledge inflates with pride, but love builds up. If anyone supposes he knows something, he does not yet know as he ought to know.” (1Cor.8:1)

When we use more of our minds, loving especially those who have hurt us becomes difficult, even impossible. We could not get over the pain and the hurts that are so bad enough, worsened by the accompanying shame and embarrassment brought on us when we were disregarded as persons that in turn lead us to think of revenge, of getting even, of demanding “an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.”

Thank for the grace, O God, of enabling us to enter into the very heart of Jesus Christ’s teaching which is to love like Him, to love radically that means “loving our enemies, doing good for them, lending without expecting returns and being merciful like you our Father.” (Lk.6: 35, 36) Thank you for the grace, O God, of enabling us to get into the very person of your Son Jesus Christ who is so poor, so empty of Himself with enough space to host everyone inside His heart with nothing to keep except with everything to give within. Amen. St. John Chrysostom, pray for us! 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, St. Paul-Mt. Pico Retreat House, Baguio City, 17 July 2017.

Everything Is Passing

The Lord Is My Chef Breakfast Recipe-Prayer

Wednesday, 12 September 2018, Week XXIII, Year II

1 Corinthians 7:25-31///Luke 6:20-26

Dear God our Father: we are in the midweek, thank you for enabling us to reach this far. There are still so many things to be done and accomplished, so many sacrifices and sufferings to go through while we savor some sweet victories and achievements, blessings and grace that have come our way.

St. Paul reminds us that “the world in its present form is passing away” (1Cor.7:31) and nothing is permanent, like darkness and light, victory and defeat, including our very dear life. The people who have gone ahead of us in this world like our departed loved ones have taught us this basic truth that nothing stays except change. Grant them eternal rest, O God, while we who are left behind here on earth be blessed to choose and bear the little discomforts of life, of being poor before you, hungering for your love, weeping for justice, patiently doing what is right amidst the evil of so many around us who woefully forget your day of judgement. 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, sunset at Bgy. Taboc, San Juan, La Union, 05 January 2018.