40 Shades of Lent by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II Friday, Second Week in Lent, 06 March 2026 Genesis 37:3-4, 12-13, 17-28 + + + Matthew 21:33-43, 45-46
Photo by author, Sacred Heart Novitiate, Novaliches, QC, March 2023.
As we come to nearly closing this second week in Lent, forgive us Lord Jesus Christ for the many times we have claimed everything as our own: Lent is when we return back to God our Father the life we have all stolen and destroyed in the process.
It tears apart my heart, O Lord, that scene when Jacob's sons conspired to kill, later sold Joseph their own brother because of jealousy and sadly, how this still happens among us as brothers and sisters, "Judah said to his brothers: 'What is to be gained by killing our brother and concealing his blood? Rather, let us sell him to these Ishmaelites, instead of doing away with him ourselves. Afer all, he is our brother, our own flesh.' His brothers agreed. They sold Joseph to the Ishmaelites for twenty pieces of silver" (Genesis 37:26-28).
Forgive us, Lord in owning each other like a thing, an object to be possessed than a subject to be loved and respected like when we rejoice at the summary execution of criminals, when people argue in favor of abortion and contraceptives negating the value of life, when some insist on same sex unions and gender reorientation disregarding the sanctity of the human body.
Photo by author, from Dominus Flevit Church overlooking Jerusalem, May 2017.
It is the same pride that consumes us when we think of our selves, of our very lives, of this planet itself and universe as if we own everything, laying claim on everything and everyone; forgive us, Father for being so arrogant with our misplaced confidence and familiarity in our sense of ownership and possession of "your vineyard" entrusted to us.
We have not only defied you, Father in disregarding the prophets you have sent to gather from us your share of produce from your vineyard we have now usurped; worst of all, we have killed your Son Jesus Christ, not giving him the respect due to him, "Finally, he sent his son to them, thinking, 'They will respect my son.' But when the tenants saw the son, they said to one another, 'This is the heir. Come, let us kill him and acquire his inheritance.' They seized him, threw him out of the vineyard, and killed him" (Matthew 21:37-39).
Every time we sin, whenever we disrespect others especially the sick and the weak, whenever we discredit someone not present with us in a gathering, when we are unfaithful and we betray those we have promised to love and to serve, we steal your vineyard, Father, we kill your Son and Heir, we claim as ours without realizing the truth we have nothing at all for we are mere stewards.
Photo by author, Sacred Heart Novitiate, Novaliches, QC, March 2025.
Lord Jesus, you have given me with so much - life and talents, experiences and fulfillment family and friends not to own nor possess like things but gifts to be shared; I return them to you so you may use them and me according to your will. Amen.
Lord My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul, 20 October 2025 Monday in the Twenty-Ninth Week of Ordinary Time, Year I Romans 4:20-25 <*((((>< + ><))))*> Luke 12:13-21
Photo by author, Jerusalem, May 2017.
Someone in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, tell my brother to share the inheritance with me.” He replied to him, “Friend, who appointed me as your judge and arbitrator?” (Luke 12:13-14)
Lord Jesus, I felt I am that "someone in the crowd" asking you to tell my brother to share the inheritance with me and honestly, I felt so stunned with your answer.
I was shocked and surprised, could not speak a word to explain to you my side of the story but wholly, I felt so liberated. I felt so free, finally. Because your reply was so reassuring, with you even calling me a "friend".
How foolish for us to be so engaged with material pursuits in life that never truly give us fulfillment except success which is so relative; so true are your words, Jesus: "one's life does not consist of possessions."
Lord Jesus, teach me to let go of my many possessions that actually possess me and make me unfree; instead of possessions, let me have relationships - with you in others; like Abraham, give me the grace to know you so that in knowing you, I may value the truest treasure that remains forever and ever. Amen.
The Lord Is My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II
Monday, Memorial of St. Pope Pius X, 21 August 2023
Judges 2:11-19 ><]]]]'> + ><]]]]'> + ><]]]]'> Matthew 19:16-22
Photo by author, La Trinidad, Benguet, 11 July 2023.
It is nice to be back here in Baguio City, this time with my brother priests for our annual clergy retreat at the St. Scholastica Spirituality Center. As usual, we started our brief “vacare Deo” with the Holy Mass and the gospel brought me to the start of my vocation history in elementary school as I found myself in that young man asking Jesus almost the same question:
a young man approached Jesus and said, “Teacher, what good must I do to gain eternal life?” He answered him, “Why do you ask me about the good? There is only One who is good. If you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments… If you wish to be perfect, go sell, what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” When the young man heard this statement, he went away sad, for he had many possessions.
Matthew 19:16-17, 21-22
Photo by author, Sacristy of the Manila Cathedral, 07 July 2023.
Indeed, there is only One good, God himself. Him is what we all seek in life. St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross – St. Edith Stein – said anyone who seeks the truth seeks God, whether or not he realizes it.”
That is easier. In fact, it is God who seeks and finds us always. Not us. Our own seeking for him is a pure grace from him.
The problematique is seeking what is good.
Especially after finding God.
And that is priesthood, which is to constantly affirm and and say yes to God.
More than just obeying his commandments, doing what is good is saying yes to God every day, choosing him above all things and even person, even one’s self! Many times, I must admit, I have been like the Israelites in the first reading: after having God’s immense blessings in life, I turn away from him with my many other new gods.
What is really good who is God is contrary to what is good according to the world like wealth and power, pleasures and comforts, fame and honor, adulations and recognition, and so many other things that exaggerate our bloated ego especially in this age of instant fame and glory. They are not really good because they wane and dissipate like every wealth the world offers. Worst, when gone, we are left empty.
Photo by author, St. Scholastica Spirituality Center, Baguio City, 21 August 2023.
There is only One good, God himself whom we must only have as our only wealth, our only treasure, our only valuable. And to have him, we must divest ourselves of our worldly riches, of everything that massages and inflates our ego.
How lovely is that scene when Matthew noted “A young man approached Jesus”.
That is the beauty of every retreat, of every sabbath break. We become young again, we go back to our beginning when we were so simple in seeking what is good. How sad that after finding God in Jesus, we become old not in age but in our face, in our heart because we have become sad and saddled with our many possessions that possess us!
Lord Jesus Christ,
thank you for this retreat,
thank you for making me young again,
for making me go back
to those days of innocence,
of simplicity in seeking you,
in having you,
and being like you;
help me "divest" of myself,
empty me of my pride
and other "possessions"
to fill me with your humility,
justice and love.
Amen.
lordmychef.com 