Mary Is Queen Because God Reigns In Her Supreme

The Lord Is My Chef Breakfast Recipe-Prayer

Memorial of the Queenship of Mary, 22 August 2018

Isaiah 9:1-6///Luke 1:26-38

Praise and glory to you, O God our almighty Father on this Memorial of Mary as Queen of Heaven and Earth! It is purely because of your goodness that we now honor her as Queen. Since the beginning, we have always revered Mary as Queen for being the Mother of your Son Jesus, the King of Kings. Most of all, you remind us, O God, that Mary is rightly a Queen because you reigned supreme in her whole life while here on earth.

“Hail, favored one! The Lord is with you” was Archangel Gabriel’s greeting to her, repeated to us every morning when we wake up, announcing Jesus Christ’s presence in us and with us. Like Mary, in our humanity you have found favor to bring into the world our Savior; but, unlike her, we refuse to say “yes” to your gift, we refuse to believe your Good News of salvation, we refuse to trust in the fulfillment of your will.

Give us the grace today to be like Mary in saying “yes” to you, O God, of believing that Jesus is your Son whom we must welcome everyday in our lives to truly come into this world. May Jesus reign in our hearts, fill us with His humility, justice and love like His Mother Mary so that your heavenly kingdom may come here on earth. 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: “Coronation of the Virgin” by Spanish painter Diego Velasquez in 1645 at Museo del Prado, Madrid.

Playing “GOD”

The Lord Is My Chef Breakfast Recipe-Prayer

Tuesday, 21 August 2018, Week XX, Year II

Ezekiel 28:1-10///Matthew 19:23-30

We praise and thank you our loving Father for this holiday you have given us. Give us the grace to renew everything in Christ your Son, especially our very selves as your servant St. Pius X envisioned during his papacy at the start of the 20^th century.

Until now, like the princes of Tyre of the Old Testament and the other men of the past century when two World Wars plunged the world into darkness, there are still many of us who believe and live as “god”. Everywhere, Lord, we speak and act as if we are god, insisting on what we want, bragging on our achievements, and relying on our strength and power. Everybody is claiming the streets and highway as his or her own sovereignty, feeling like a deity with our vehicles as our “seat of power and might”. We have run out of solons and statesmen in congress and government for all they are concerned with is their own interests.

It is very unfortunate, dear Father, even in your Church, we priests are so lost too in our belief and way of life as being god. Instead of building lives, we have destroyed so many lives with all kinds of clergy abuses that are not only scandalous but very sickening. We no longer smell like your sheep and worst, we have slaughtered many of your little lambs.

In 1983, you sent us Ninoy, believing the “Filipino is worth dying for.” He set aside all his plans, including his very safety and went home to work for peaceful transition. A bullet felled him but not our belief in bringing back democracy in our country. So sad, Lord, how we have easily forgotten YOU who made EDSA a miracle. Many have played gods and destroyed EDSA like Jerusalem of old, making it a symbol of everything that is wrong with us. Primary among these is our belief in being god. We pray to you, our loving Father, in these moments of darkness in our history like at the fall of Jerusalem and at the start of World War I in St. Pius X’s time, give us the grace to renew our love and commitment to You, the only True God for only you who can deliver us. Nothing is impossible with you, especially when we start being human and stop being god. Amen.Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II, Parokya ng San Juan Apostol at Ebanghelista, Gov. F. Halili Ave., Bagbaguin, Sta. Maria,Bulacan 3022

Photo by Fr. Nick F. Lalog II, tree canopy at Sacred Heart Novitiate (Novaliches), 4-6 July 2018.

Memorare

LordMyChef “I-Like-Mondays” Quote, 20 August 2018

Today is the memorial of one of my favorite saints, Bernard of Clairvaux. A devotee of the Blessed Virgin Mary, he wrote the lovely prayer Memorare. For this gloomy Monday due to the weather and whatever troubles that may happen this week especially on our streets, let us pray with St. Bernard:

Remember O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thy intercession was left unaided.

Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my mother.

To thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and asnwer me. Amen.

St.BernardBVM

Photo from Google: Painting by Italian artist Pietro Perugino at a church in Florence. St. Bernard was in deep study when the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to him in a vision. The two men beside St. Bernard at Apostles St. John Evangelist and St. Bartholomew whose feast we celebrate this Friday, August 24.

Our Sins of Omission

The Lord Is My Chef Breakfast Recipe-Prayer

Monday, 20 August 2018, Week XX, Year II

Ezekiel 24:18-23///Matthew 19:16-22

Our dearest Lord Jesus Christ: of the many questions we have always asked you, perhaps the young man’s question in the gospel today is the one you have always wanted – and waited us to ask you: “What do I still lack?”(Mt.19:20)

Every day we pray, confessing our sins for what “I have done and what I have failed to do.” It is always easier Lord to think of what I done wrong; but rarely do we really take time reflecting on what we have failed to do, our sins of omission.

The young man in the gospel today must have been dealing with a lot of people, like us today especially in the social media but, we never ask ourselves if we fulfill the requirements of love in these interactions with others. Many times, our dealings these days are mediated by technology, lacking sincerity and love. Like the young man, it is easy to obey commandments even without much love to our own discomfort because it is not right. But, we do not care to reflect more about it because we are so afraid to discover the sins we are not aware of!

Give us the grace, Lord Jesus to identify our sins of omission so we can achieve greater self-knowledge of our selves for it is the surest way to truly love you and others. Help us to learn from St. Bernard of Clairvaux whose we feast we celebrate today that “Love is a great thing so long as it continually returns to its fountainhead, flows back to its source, always drawing from there the water which constantly replenishes it.”(from the Office of Reading)

This is what we really lack, Lord Jesus Christ: the real good we must do of letting go of our selves, giving away our wealth and other valuables, setting aside our plans and agenda so we can follow you more closely daily. Amen.Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II, Parokya ng San Juan Apostol at Ebanghelista, Gov. F. Halili Ave., Bagbaguin, Sta. Maria,Bulacan 3022 .

*Photo by Fr. Nick F. Lalog II, moss at Malagos Garden, Davao City, 10 August 2018.

Our Being of Forgetfulness

Photo by Fr. Nick F. Lalog II at the Sacred Heart Novitiate (Novaliches), July 4-6, 2018.

The Lord Is My Chef Breakfast Recipe-Prayer

Friday, 17 August 2018, Week XIX, Year II

Ezekiel 16:59-63///Matthew 19:3-12

Another question again, O Lord Jesus Christ from us: “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any cause whatever?” (Mt.19:3)

Another question from us not seeking answers but justification for our own beliefs; another question not seeking the truth but a changing of order and rules.

Sorry Lord for the many times when we clearly know the answers deep in our hearts yet we keep on pretending we are confused or simply could not get it. Or, would not want to accept it at all because of the “hardness of our hearts.” It has always been like that as you beautifully narrated to Ezekiel of your experience with Israel who was like a little girl you have cared for since birth, lavished with so many good things until you took her as your bride and then disregarded your covenant.

A philosopher explained that we are all beings of forgetfulness that too often we lead inauthentic lives. Probably. I don’t remember.

But, one thing I always remember, O Lord, is that despite all our infidelities and hard-headedness, you have remained faithful, always reminding us to remember your love, your covenant. Give us the grace to “re-member” you, to make you a member and part of our present lives again. Amen. Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II,Parokya ng San Juan Apostol at Ebanghelista, Gov. F. Halili Ave., Bagbaguin, Sta. Maria,Bulacan 3022 .

Jesus Transforms First Our Questions to Transform Us

DSCF0622

The Lord Is My Chef Breakfast Recipe-Prayer

Thursday, 16 August 2018, Week XIX, Year II

Ezekiel 12:1-12///Matthew 18:21-19:1

Dearest Lord Jesus:

Every day we come to you with so many questions, an endless series of who, why and why not, and how. As I prayed today’s gospel, I realized you seldom give straight answers to questions given to you in many instances like when Peter asked you about how many times should we forgive a brother who sins against us. In many occasions in the gospel like today, you answer questions with a parable. It is as if you first transform our questions in order to transform us eventually with the answers we can glean from your parables.

As I dwelled on your parable of the unforgiving servant, I have realized one important aspect with our questions to you, Lord Jesus. And that is our being so fearful of many things in life, especially of being loving and merciful like you.

We try to be specific like Peter, asking in a numerical form “how many times should I forgive… seven times?” The other day, we asked “who is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven?” Once we have asked you “who is my neighbor?” or “Lord, are you going to establish your kingdom now?” In these instances, you never gave in to our questions because you knew very well we asked these while bounded by fears. We lacked freedom. Or, we refused to be free to be who we really are as beloved children of a very loving Father in heaven. Because we doubt your love and mercy.

And so, you give us parables like today’s unforgiving servant to assure us that we are loved and forgiven by the Father. Give us the grace to fully embrace this truth, that we would always listen to your gentle voice within to forgive and to love with all our hearts. Amen.Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II,Parokya ng San Juan Apostol at Ebanghelista, Gov. F. Halili Ave., Bagbaguin, Sta. Maria,Bulacan 3022 .

*Photo by Fr. Nick F. Lalog II, still life experiment, September 2016.

Singing Mary’s Magnificat In Our Time

The Lord Is My Chef Breakfast Recipe-Prayer, Wednesday

15 August 2018, Solemnity of the Assumption of the BVM

Revelations 11:19;12:1-6,10//1Corinthians 15:20-27//Luke 1:39-56

Pray for us O Holy Mother of God,

that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray:

We praise and glorify you, God our loving Father, in bringing us back to you though we are not worthy of your love and mercy. In the fullness of time, you sent your Son Jesus Christ through the Holy Spirit to a virgin in Nazareth named Mary whom you have assumed body and soul into heaven upon the completion of her mission here on earth.

And so, loving Father, we ask you for the grace to be like Mary, singing her Magnificat not only with our lips and voices but like her, with our lives so that when Christ returns at the end of time, we too would be assumed body and soul into heaven.

Let us always proclaim your greatness, let our spirit rejoice in you alone, not in our selves nor talents nor achievements. Keep us humble to remember everything is a grace from you that we are able to do so many things, great and small alike (Lk.1:46-48).

Let us do your work always, your will be done – not our plans and agenda so that your mercy would pervade in this self-righteous world (Lk.1:50).

Let us show the strength of your arm by working for justice and peace, guided by kindness, even by weakness to shame those who brag of their powers and might (Lk.1:51-52).

Let us find our place in this world to make a stand for what is good and true by keeping a sacred space for you in our hearts and mind so we can stop usurping too much roles and credits to be seen and liked by everyone. Keep us empty like Mary to be filled with your Holy Spirit to become the very presence of Jesus Christ (Lk.1:53-55). 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, the famous painting of the Assumption by El Greco.

You are prayed for these rainy days

MossMalagos

14 August 2018

My dearest relatives and friends:

This is the worst rainy season I think I ever have. And it seems more rains are still coming. What saddens me most is the fact that in the midst of these rains and floods, I know many of you are also battling at the same time other storms in life like sickness or death in the family or among friends.

You are all remembered and prayed for especially when heavy rains are pouring. In 1995, I went through serious trials in life and vocation while in the seminary during the entire rainy season. Every time I would pray in the afternoon, I would always look at the trees and plants outside our seminary chapel. And that was when I realized that it is always after the rains and storms when leaves are greenest.

Here are some photos I have taken from the Malagos Garden Resort in Davao City last Friday, August 11, 2018.

Hope they soothe your hearts. God bless you always!

In Christ Jesus,
fr nick f lalog ll

ButterflyMalagos

The Sweetest Things In Life

The Lord Is My Chef Breakfast Recipe-Prayer Tuesday

14 August 2018, Memorial of St. Maximillian Kolbe

Week-XIX, Year II, Ordinary Time

Ezekiel 2:8-3:4///Matthew 18:1-5,10,12-14

Together with the psalmist this morning, I sing to you O Lord, “How sweet to my palate are your promises, sweeter than honey to my mouth!”(Ps.119:103)

So many times in life, I seek and long for some “sweetness” that would comfort me, assure me of being loved and cared for. But, sadly, O Lord, I end up bitter and sad after seeking sweetness in sugar-coated promises of the world. Teach me to be like Ezekiel, to eat your words, to speak your words, to live your words. Indeed, the only sweetest thing in this life is to remain a child before you, trusting you, relying more on you.

I feel so ashamed before you O Lord for the many times I act like your apostles, asking “who is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven” in the belief deep inside that, it could be me. Yes, you know it so well when deep inside I feel so entitled being your disciple, of being “good” and worthy unlike others.

Give me the grace Lord Jesus Christ to be like St. Maximillian Kolbe who truly led a life so sweet when he faithfully followed you like your Mother the Blessed Virgin Mary. He led a life so sweet because in his loving service and sacrifices for your words using modern media, many lives were touched and blessed. Without any sugary pretensions to greatness and fame known only as prisoner “16670” at Auschwitz, St. Maximillian made the ultimate sweet sacrifice of his life for the love of the family of a man due for execution. Indeed, he is the patron saint of our “troubled century”, showing us the truly sweetest things in life are you, O Lord, your words, and your Cross. 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.

A Prayer to Weather the Storms

39091763_435579113595770_2712104360879325184_n

The Lord Is My Chef Breakfast Recipe-Prayer Monday

13 August 2018, Week-XIX, Year II, Ordinary Time

Ezekiel 1:2-5,24-28///Matthew 17:22-27

You know very well my prayers last night, O Lord: that you take care of my family and friends affected by the floods and the rains that are expected to worsen this week. These past years I have learned to accept the flow of nature, never bothering you to stop or reverse it except that you give us the grace to cope with it. Most of all, that we finally learn to respect your wonderful creation we have destroyed these past years due to greed and lack of concern.

As we brace for more rains this week, give us the grace to see your glory amidst life’s many storms. In the first reading there is Ezekiel living during the Babylonian exile by the river of Chebar who saw a vision of the coming of your Son Jesus Christ. There was splendor all over his vision though he did not readily understand its meaning during that most trying time in Israel’s history.

In the gospel, Jesus predicted anew His coming passion and death that deeply grieved His disciples not knowing it would eventually lead to His Resurrection. And in the midst of His coming pasch were the many controversies against Him by His enemies like the paying of temple tax. Yet, Jesus kept His cool filled with wit and humor when He told Peter to catch a fish to find a shekel in its mouth to pay for their temple taxes.

And finally today, we celebrate the martyrdom of St. Pontian and St. Hippolytus whose lives presented us a quirky twist that eventually revealed your glory. St. Hippolytus became an anti-pope of St. Pontian due to many differences that threatened the stability of the early Church. But their exile and suffering in Sardinia became the occasion for them to be reconciled before giving their very lives for the glory of the Christ.

Like Ezekiel, Jesus, Hippolytus and Pontian, give us the grace, loving Father, to keep in mind that you always prevail despite many setbacks due to nature and human faults. May we sing like the psalmist, “Heaven and earth are filled with your glory!” Amen. Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II,Parokya ng San Juan Apostol at Ebanghelista, Gov. F. Halili Ave., Bagbaguin, Sta. Maria,Bulacan 3022 .

Photo by Fr. Nick F. Lalog II, Sonnem Berg Mountain View, Davao City. 11 August 2018