Tag: overconfidence

We are partners of Christ

The Lord Is My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II
Thursday, Week I in Ordinary Time, Year I, 16 January 2025
Hebrews 3:17-14     <*((((><  +  ><))))*>     Mark 1:40-45
Photo from Fatima Tribune, Red Wednesday at the Angel of Peace Chapel, Our Lady of Fatima University, 27 November 2024.

Encourage yourselves daily while it is still “today,” so that none of you may grow hardened by the deceit of sin. We have become partners of Christ only if we hold the beginning of the reality firm until the end (Hebrews 3:13-14).

Let us not waste
the present moment,
the "today", 
Lord Jesus
to be faithful and true to you
always;
may we not imitate
the Israelites at Meribah and Massah
where they tested God though
they have seen his works;
soften our hearts
and open them
to your truth, Jesus
that we may not turn like
the Jewish Christians 
to whom this letter
was addressed 
because they could not accept
you as the Christ,
the Messiah.
In this time when your
most holy name dear Jesus
is being mocked and laughed
at by those supposed to be
learned and sophisticated,
make us realize the fact
there are so many things in this
world and universe still so beyond
our knowing nor understanding;
instead of disregarding
and ignoring you among us,
may we acknowledge
your presence in the many 
instances of grace and 
salvation in life; 
teach us to turn to you more
often, Lord Jesus
as your part-ners,
that is, part of your very self
because without you,
we are incomplete;
open our eyes so we may
meet you especially when
you go out of your way
to find us in our alienation
and sin
as well as darkness and sufferings
like that leper you have healed;
make us ponder more deeply
your realities
and mystery, Jesus
as we follow your instruction
to be silent and to go
to the temple
to the church
to pray more,
to listen more
to your instructions.
Amen.
Photo by author, Mt. St. Paul Spirituality Center, Pico, La Trinidad, Benguet, 04 January 2025.

Problem with overconfidence

The Lord Is My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II
Tuesday in the Eighteenth Week of Ordinary Time, Year II, 02 August 2022
Jeremiah 30:1-2, 12-15, 18-22   ><]]]]'> + <'[[[[><   Matthew 14:22-36
Photo by Mr. Jay Javier in Taal, Batangas, 15 February 2014.
I like your words today,
God our loving Father;
they are so true, and yes,
so hurting. They are a 
bull's eye or "sapul" as
we say in Filipino.
Many times, I feel so
confident with myself,
with my goodness, or
holiness; many times I
feel I am so equipped 
to hurdle everything in
life; and many times, I feel
so sure I have done nothing
wrong and sinful like Peter
in the gospel who asked
Jesus to make him walk
on water.

Thus says the Lord: Incurable is your wound, grievous your bruise; there is none to plead your cause, no remedy for your running sore, no healing for you. All your lovers have forgotten you; they do not seek you. I struck you as an enemy would strike, punished you cruelly; why cry out over your wound? Your pain is without relief. Because of your great guilt, your numerous sins, I have done this to you. Thus says the Lord: See! I will restore the tents of Jacob, his dwellings I will pity; city shall be rebuilt upon hill, and palace restored as it was.

Jeremiah 30:1-2, 12-15, 18
Give me courage, O Lord,
to look inside myself and
confront my true self;
build me up anew, Lord,
as your people and you
our God.

Forgive us, O God, 
for the many times we
have misread your coming
in Jesus Christ as like a ghost 
in the dark sea; so many times
we are so sure of our swimming
skills like Peter, confident we 
would not drown, unaware 
of the strong winds that can beat
and pummel us into pieces.

When overconfidence
drown us, let us shout like
the disciples in the boat,
"Truly, you are the Son of
God, Lord Jesus!"
Amen.