The Lord Is My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II
Wednesday, Memorial of St. John Bosco, Priest, 31 January 2024
2 Samuel 24:2, 9-17  <*((((>< + ><))))*>  Mark 6:1-6

Your words today are very
intriguing, Lord;
both the first reading 
and gospel spoke of our 
pride and lack of trust in you
but, in both instances,
you were there,
the most merciful Lord,
"regretted the calamity"
imposed upon Jerusalem
while feeling "amazed for their
lack of faith".

But when the angel stretched forth his hand toward Jerusalem to destroy it, the Lord regretted the calamity and said to the angel causing the destruction among the people, “Enough now! Stay your hand.”

2 Samuel 24:16

Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his native place and among his own kin and in his own house.” So he was not able to perform any mighty deed there, apart from curing a few sick people by laying his hands on them. He was amazed at their lack of faith.

Mark 6:4-6

How interesting that you,
O God, was presented to us like
humans with all emotions and feelings
but in the face of human 
hardness and disobedience,
you took the softer side of us humans:
you regretted sending pestilence
on Israel in punishment of David's
pride while your Son Jesus himself
only felt being "amazed" at the lack of faith
of the people in the synagogue;
if you have really acted as humans,
you have gone worst
in punishing David
and insulting the people
in Capernaum.

And that is how you deal with us
always in the face of our sinfulness:
you remain on our side,
choosing to be merciful than vengeful,
compassionate and understanding
than angry or mad,
simply be amazed at our incredulity
probably with a few chuckles
than insulting us,
nor lambasting us.
None of those human negativities
on your playing like us humans,
O God.

Most of all,
in the midst of our sins
and indifference, that is when
you raise and send us holy men
like St. John Bosco
who until now through his
Salesian priests and brothers
continue to make you present
in a world that loves to turn against you, God;
bless the Salesians all over the world
who form young people
into your image and likeness,
who witness to us
your most noble qualities
O God when you choose
to feel for us
at our worst selves.
Amen.

St. John Bosco,
pray for us!