Time In A Bottle

Lord My Chef Sunday Recipe for Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II
Twenty-Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A, 27 September 2026
Ezsekiel 18:25-28 ><}}}}*> Philippians 2:1-11 ><}}}}*> Matthew 21:28-32

*Photo by Joshua Woroniecki on Pexels.com*

Yes, our Sunday reflection title is from that same 1972 Jim Croce classic, Time In A Bottle. It just popped out in my mind while praying for our Sunday homily – like last Tuesday when we remembered REM’s Everybody Hurts (https://lordmychef.com/2026/09/21/everybody-hurts/), Thursday Bob Dylan’s Blowing In The Wind (https://lordmychef.com/2026/09/23/blowing-in-the-wind-3/) and Friday with the Byrds’ Turn! Turn! Turn! (https://lordmychef.com/2026/09/24/turn-turn-turn-to-know-gods-time/).

It was a week of prayers aided by music I grew up with as it happens most of the time which I believe is part of my being old while unconsciously feeling fearful of the inevitable, death.

But, it isn’t morbid at all. I regard it as simply being realistic.

Like our liturgical calendar that is about to end in nine weeks on November 22 with the Solemnity of Christ the King followed the next Sunday after that on November 29 with the Season of Advent or the four Sunday preparation for Christmas!

Hence, all gospel accounts beginning this Sunday will focus on the coming end of time and the need for us to change our ways to make it to heaven, our final destination in this life.

Jesus said to the chief priests and elders of the people: “What is your opinion? A man had two sons. He came to the first and said, ‘Son, go out and work in the vineyard today.’ He said in reply, ‘I will not,’ but afterwards he changed his mind and went. The man came to the other son and gave the same order. He said in reply, ‘Yes, sir,’ but did not go. Which of the two did the father’s will.” They answered, “The first” (Mt.21:28-31).

*Photo by author, Jerusalem as seen from the altar of Dominus Flevit Church, May 2017.*

Jesus and his disciples have finally reached Jerusalem and this scene today is the day after Palm Sunday when he angrily drove away the traders and money changers in the Temple area that have prompted his enemies led by the elders and priests to come and questioned his authority.

Before giving his answer, Jesus asked them the origin of John’s authority to baptize, God or the people? They declined to answer because they have refused to recognize John’s baptism and that is why Jesus gave them a chance to change their minds and their hearts with this parable of the two sons. It was like Jesus telling them and everyone else including us today to obey follow God.

See now its link with last Sunday’s parable of the workers in the vineyard: Jesus continues to call us to come and work in his vineyard no matter how late; our work in his vineyard never stops and we need to keep doing what is good even if sometimes we fail and falter. Remember too that Matthew presents Jesus as always insisting the need to harmonize and blend what we believe with what we say and most of all, with what we do because “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven” (Mt.7:21).

*Photo by author, Anvaya Cove, Bataan, 21 July 2026.*

What counts most for Jesus in this parable is not just what or who is in our hearts but what flows from our hearts. Do we walk our talk? There has to be a unity in our faith wherein what we believe is what we say and what we do and live by.

Like the younger son in the parable, we are invited today to be humble and accept our mistakes to do what is right, what is good, what is moral than become like the elder son who said yes to their father but did not obey at all. Many times despite our absolute belief in God, we still think more of ourselves, insisting our own ways and agenda even to our loved ones, unmindful of the disunity we cause in our relationships aside from the pains and hurts we inflict on them whenever our words of love and peace do not match our actions.

There is a saying that goes “A single act of kindness is better than the best intention.” So true! – because our actions prove the veracity and sincerity of our every intention. That’s what God did for us by not merely promising a Savior but fulfilled it in sending us Jesus Christ who died obediently on the Cross which St. Paul eloquently explained today in our second reading we also hear during Christmas and Easter Seasons.

*Photo by author, Anvaya Cove, Bataan, 20 July 2026.*

We are so blessed this Sunday not only because God fulfills his promises of love and forgiveness but he always gives us endless chances to change our ways, to continuously work things out for the best.

Every Eucharist is a celebration of God’s patience and mercy for us sinners who must be converted again and again and again to make it to His kingdom in heaven. We must always be on guard not to fall into the mistake of the laborers last week who were so focused on their work than on the goodness of the landowner as if they deserved something extra than others which the Prophet Ezekiel echoed in the first reading:

“Hear now, house of Israel: Is it my way that is unfair, or rather, are not your ways unfair? When someone virtuous turns away from virtue to commit iniquity, and dies, it is because of the iniquity he committed that he must die. But if he turns from the wickedness he has committed, and does what is right and just, he shall preserve his life” (Ezekiel 18:25-27).

God is not a store nor a credit card who gives “rebates” for whatever good points we “earn” for past purchases for he will judge us with our actions and not intentions. We simply have to strive in doing what is good like that second child in the parable.

Let me end this reflection with this funny story about the talking centipede.

A young man decided life would be more fun if he had a most unique pet. So he went to the pet store and told the owner about it. After some discussions, he finally bought a talking centipede, which came in a little white box to use for his house.

The guy took the box back home, found a good spot to place it with the centipede inside and decided he would start off by taking his new pet to church with him.

So he asked the centipede in the box, “Would you like to go to church with me today? We will have a good time.”

But there was no answer from his new pet.

This bothered him a bit, but he waited a few minutes and then asked again, “How about going to church with me and receive blessings?”

But again, there was no answer from his most unique pet. So he waited a few minutes more, thinking about the situation. The guy decided to invite the centipede one last time by putting his face up against the centipede’s house and shouted, “Hey, in there! Would you like to go to church with me and learn about God?”

Then suddenly, a little voice came out of the box, “I heard you the first time! I’m putting my shoes on.”

Smile everyone, God loves you so much! He knows that like the centipede, you have so many shoes to wear, so many shoestrings to tie but God is not in a hurry….just keep on putting on those shoes and keep walking on His path! Amen. Have a blessed end of September.

“Turn, Turn, Turn” to know God’s time

Lord My Chef Daily Recipe for Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II
Friday, Twenty-Fifth Week in Ordinary Time, Year II, 25 September 2026
Ecclesiastes 3:1-11 ><]]]]'> + ><]]]]'> + ><]]]]'> Luke 9:18-22

*Photo by Vincenzo Malagoli on Pexels.com*

Once again,
O Lord,
your words right away
reminded me of another song
from the 1960's but this time
taken almost verbatim 
from our first reading:

To everything – turn, turn, turn
There is a season – turn, turn, turn
And a time to every purpose under heaven

A time to be born, a time to die
A time to plant, a time to reap
A time to kill, a time to heal
A time to laugh, a time to weep

To everything – turn, turn, turn
There is a season – turn, turn, turn
And a time to every purpose under heaven

A time to build up, a time to break down
A time to dance, a time to mourn
A time to cast away stones
A time to gather stones together

To everything – turn, turn, turn
There is a season – turn, turn, turn
And a time to every purpose under heaven

A time of love, a time of hate
A time of war, a time of peace
A time you may embrace
A time to refrain from embracing

To everything – turn, turn, turn
There is a season – turn, turn, turn
And a time to every purpose under heaven

A time to gain, a time to lose
A time to rend, a time to sew
A time for love, a time for hate
A time for peace, I swear it’s not too late!

I really wonder, 
Lord, if you have "made
everything appropriate to its time,
and has put the timeless into 
their hearts,
without men's ever discovering,
from beginning to end,
the work which God has done"
(Ecclesiastes 3:11),
then what time is it now 
for me?

A time to weep or to laugh?
A time to mourn or to dance?
A time to scatter or to gather?
A time to be silent or to speak?
A time to love or to hate?

Despite our ingenuity
and intelligence,
we still could not figure out
what time it is, 
Lord, 
because we can never
know you God 
unless we let go
of ourselves,
unless we return to you.

And that is why
Pete Seeger and the Byrds
added those chorus lines
before each stanza
from today's first reading:

To everything – turn, turn, turn
There is a season – turn, turn, turn
And a time to every purpose under heaven

*Photo by author, Dominus Flevit Church outside Jerusalem, May 2017.*

Let me turn,
turn, turn to you
always to experience
your time, dear Lord;
let me turn,
turn, turn to you
so I may see you like
Peter as you are 
in today's gospel -
the Christ of God
(Luke 9:20),
the One who suffered
and died but rose again
for our salvation!

In your Passion and Resurrection
Jesus, 
you have shown us 
time is a dimension
for us to determine and measure 
the passing of moments, 
a reference point
to go back in the past,
to plan in the future,
to experience the present
that often escapes us;
may we learn from Richard Bach's
Jonathan Livingston Seagull the parting
words of the wise Chen after teaching
him how to fly higher than most seagulls:
"Friendships should depend on nothing
like time and space; remove time,
we have now, remove space, we have here;
don't you think between
now and here we could meet
once or twice?"

Teach us, 
Lord Jesus
to return to you,
to turn away from sins
and evil to experience fullness
of time in your coming
in every here and now.
Amen.

From YouTube.com

Blowing in the Wind

Lord My Chef Daily Recipe for Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II
Thursday, Twenty-Fifth Week in Ordinary Time, Year II, 24 September 2026
Ecclesiastes 1:2-11 ><]]]]'> + ><]]]]'> + ><]]]]'> Luke 9:7-9

*Photo by Ms. Jo Villafuerte, Atok, Benguet, 01 September 2019.*

Your words today,
O Lord our God,
both in the first reading
from Ecclesiastes and
the gospel remind me of
Bob Dylan's 1963 song
"Blowin' in the Wind" -
that all these problems
we are facing like wars 
and social inequalities
stem from our failure and
refusal to open our eyes
to see the most obvious
things that are just 
blowin' in the wind.

How many roads must a man walk down
Before you call him a man?
How many seas must a white dove sail
Before she sleeps in the sand?
Yes, and how many times must the cannonballs fly
Before they’re forever banned?

The answer, my friend, is blowin’ in the wind
The answer is blowin’ in the wind

Thousands of years
before Bob Dylan came,
there was Qoheleth
telling us, 
"Vanity of vanities...
All things are vanity!"
Like the wind,
"Blowing now toward
the south, then toward
the north, the wind turns
again and again,
resuming its rounds"
(Ecclesiastes 1:2, 6).

We simply had to feel
what everyone is feeling to be
kind, a "kin" to everyone
but we are so vain thinking only
of our very selves that
we can't feel the blowin' of the wind
to see you in everyone.

Yes, and how many years must a mountain exist
Before it is washed to the sea?
Yes, and how many years can some people exist
Before they’re allowed to be free?
Yes, and how many times can a man turn his head
And pretend that he just doesn’t see?

The answer, my friend, is blowin’ in the wind
The answer is blowin’ in the wind

*Photo by author, Mt. St. Paul Spiritual Center, La Trinidad, Benguet, 07 January 2025.*

Two thousand years ago
your Son our Savior
Jesus came to reveal
you to us, Father,
suffering, dying and rising
from the dead but still,
many refused to recognize him,
preferring to be like Herod Antipas
who ordered John the Baptist killed
but when he heard about the Christ,
"And he kept trying to see him"
(Luke 9:9) when he eventually met
and spoke with briefly but never "saw"
at all.

And that is vanity,
O Lord:
when we keep on searching,
wanting to see someone,
something so obviously present
among; open our eyes,
our hearts,
let us not be vain
in order to see what is obvious
we are so oblivious
in finding you on the face
of everyone we meet
no matter what his/her color
and belief and background in life.
Open our very selves to find
you Lord on everyone's face,
to hear the cries and pleas
of those suffering and
disadvantaged, the weakest
like the sick and dying,
the youngest and oldest.
Amen.

Yes, and how many times must a man look up
Before he can see the sky?
Yes, and how many ears must one man have
Before he can hear people cry?
Yes, and how many deaths will it take ’til he knows
That too many people have died?

The answer, my friend, is blowin’ in the wind
The answer is blowin’ in the wind

From YouTube.com

When is enough really enough?

Lord My Chef Daily Recipe for Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II
Wednesday, Twenty-Fifth Week in Ordinary Time, Year II
Feast of St. Padre Pio of Pietrelcina, 23 September 2026
Proverbs 30:5-9     <*((((><  +  ><))))*>     Luke 9:1-6

Your words today,
dear God our Father
are so comforting and 
reassuring of your loving
presence; however, 
you teach us also too
to completely trust you
so that we may be comforted
and reassured,
thereby learn
when enough is
really enough.

Two things I ask of you, deny them not to me before I die: Put falsehood and lying far from me, give me neither poverty nor riches; provide me only with the food I need; lest, being full, I deny you, saying, “Who is the Lord?” Or, being in want, I steal, and profane the name of my God (Proverbs 30:7-9).

Teach me to be content
with whatever there is for me,
not desiring more than I need
so that I remain open for you
and your work,
for you O Lord is more than enough; 
teach me to learn to stop
in pursuing whatever
I set my eyes or heart on when 
it is causing more harm than 
joy and wellness for it is only
in following you enough is enough; 
teach me, Lord, 
to be like St. Padre Pio
in leading a simple life, 
just praying, 
hoping and not worrying
for you O Lord is more than
enough.
Amen.

Everybody hurts

Lord My Chef Daily Recipe for Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II
Tuesday, Twenty-Fifth Week in Ordinary Time, Year II, 22 September 2026
Proverbs 21:1-6, 10-13 ><))))*> + ><))))*> + ><))))*> Luke 8:19-21

I pray for all
those suffering today,
Lord Jesus;
for those hoping to see
you, to talk to you even for a while
like your mother and brothers
in the gospel;
why did you not go out to see
them right away?
I felt sad.
And disappointed.

The mother of Jesus and his brothers came to him but were unable to join him because of the crowd. He was told, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside annd they wish to see you.” He said to them in reply, “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of G0d and act on it” (Luke 8:19-21).

Luke never bothered
to tell us what they wanted
from you, Lord;
but your reply got me praying
more deeply and these
I realized:
you love us so much
Jesus,
your words always in us,
in our hearts
but many times we do not listen;
Mary and your brothers know
that so well
and they never protested;
in fact,
they affirmed your words
by remaining silent,
trusting you as always;
most of all,
your reply teaches us
your disciples
to widen,
to enlarge
the bounds of our family:
if we choose to listen
and act on the Word of God,
we must at the same time
become a member of the
family of Jesus.

Teach us to be like
that king in the first reading
willing to bow
his will and desires to
God despite his power
and authority;
give me a listening heart,
a will so pliant to your ways
so that I may welcome those
trying to get close to you
Jesus because they hurt;
many times our pains
are so pronounced because
we have no room
for those seeking you,
Jesus.
Amen.

Following Jesus

Lord My Chef Daily Recipe for Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II
Friday, Twenty-Fourth Week in Ordinary Time, Year II, 18 September 2026
1 Corinthians 15:12-20 <*((((>< + ><))))*> Luke 8:1-3

*Photo by Dra. Mylene A. Santos, MD, in Portugal, March 2022.*

Thank you, Jesus
for inviting me to join
you in your journey:
there were many occasions
you have called me
like when I was sick,
when I felt lost,
when I felt empty,
when I coul not find any
direction in life,
when I was searching 
for meaning in life;
I found more than 
what I was looking 
for in joining your 
journey -
I found myself,
I found others like
family and friends,
most especially
I have found you
the very being
and good news of life.

Jesus journeyed from one town and village to another, preaching and proclaiming the good news of the Kingdom of God. Accompanying him were the Twelve and some women who had been cured of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, Joanna, the wife of Herod’s steward, Chuza, Susanna, and many others who provided for them out of their resources (Luke 8:1-3).

On dear Jesus,
keep me in your journey,
let me take your path,
let me proclaim your good news
to others, in season
or out of season;
let me show them your direction
to new life
here and hereafter,
always arising from
our falling and finally
from our sleeping
into eternal life.

Teach me,
Jesus,
to be generous
in sharing everything
I have in this journey
with you;
teach me to never
count the cost,
to never think of my
own glory nor of my name
except that I do always
your will.
Amen.

*Photo by a friend in Seabrook, Washington, 06 September 2026.*

Love never fails.

Lord My Chef Daily Recipe for Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II
Wednesday, Twenty-Fourth Week in Ordinary Time, 16 September 2026
Memorial of Sts. Cornelius, Pope, and Cyprian, Bishop, Martyrs
1 Corinthians 12:31-13:13 <*((((>< + ><))))*> Luke 7:31-35

Love never fails.
In other translations,
love never ends.

How lovely,
Lord Jesus;
and so challenging
because many times
I think of at least an end
to "loving" like when Peter
asked you last Sunday
"how many times must I forgive
my brother who sins to me...
is it seven times?"

When you said it is
"seventy times seven" -
that is clearly what love
that never fails.

As I pray to you,
I realized every age,
every generation in 
history always thinks
itself as the worst,
almost hopeless
like during this time in 
our lives not only in the world
but in our own country:
everything is chaos and disordered,
injustice and corruption are
the norms followed ironically
in this predominantly Christian
nation where money not
only talks but even shouts.

But, here we are still
Jesus: alive and kicking, 
fighting and surviving,
eagerly awaiting our 
new dawn of salvation
in you, Jesus;
grant me patience
and perseverance to keep
loving especially when it seems
to be no longer feasible
and even not doable;
like Sts. Cornelius and Cyprian
during their time,
it was not persecution per se
that was the problem
but divisions among early
Christians especially in the 
refusal of some in forgiving
and readmitting apostates to
to the faith; dear Jesus, 
teach us to be flexible,
more loving than legalistic
like your former Pope St. Cornelius
and his friend St. Cyprian the bishop
who both insisted those who denied
their faith while facing persecution 
may be forgiven and be readmitted;
it was clearly choosing to be more
loving than to be legalistic.

Teach me,
Jesus, to learn to read
the signs of the times
and most specially your 
divine will in dealing with the 
many complicated issues we 
now face in our being Christians.
May in everything 
we let love prevail for wherever there
is love, you are always there, Lord
because that is when we have
communion and oneness in 
you.
Amen.

Praying for self-discipline

Lord My Chef Daily Recipe for Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II
Friday, Twenty-third Week in Ordinary Time, Year II, 11 September 2026
1 Corinthians 9:16-19, 22-27 <*((((>< + ><))))*> Luke 6:39-42

NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 11, 2001: (SEPTEMBER 11 RETROSPECTIVE) Smoke pours from the twin towers of the World Trade Center after they were hit by two hijacked airliners in a terrorist attack September 11, 2001 in New York City. (Photo by Robert Giroux/Getty Images)

It has been twenty-five years,
Lord Jesus, 
when the beginning year 
of the new century
was marred by senseless deaths
from terrorist attacks in various
US cities; more than the images
are the indescribable 
pains and hurts 
that still remain not only among
friends and families of those
who have died but also
for the whole world
that has ever been more
in precarious situations
ever since; today, 
we are stunned by 
news from tech experts
of how AI could actually
wipe out the human race
in the next ten years
like in the movies?!

*Photo by a friend in Washington State, 28 July 2026.*

Twenty-five years into
the new millennium,
peace and fulfillment
remain elusive not only
for the world 
but for each of us humans
because we have gone astray
from you, O Lord;
we have worshipped the 
new gods of technology -
gadgets and social media
that leave us more empty
and lost and enslaved
by our endless wants
and make-believe realities.

Now more than ever
we need to imitate St. Paul,
to be with discipline,
with virtues and principles
not with algorithms:

Every athlete exercises discipline in every way. They do it to win a perishable crown, but we, an imperishable one. Thus, I do not run aimlessly; I do not fight as if I were shadowboxing. No, I drive my body and train it, for fear that, after having preached to others, I myself should be disqualified (1 Corinthians 9:25-27).

*Believed to be the best photo of the tennis season, Alexander Eala in Wimbledon photographed by WTA’s Robert Prange, a.k.a. Jimmie48.*

Teach us to be truly
your "disciples" -
followers, 
ones who follow,
ones with discipline
not whims nor impulses;
it is only with discipline
can we truly look and
confront our true selves
to become better persons
than seeing what's wrong
with others; teach us 
discipline, Jesus,
that we may strive 
to trust you more
and reach out to you
for help and grace because
we are weak in ourselves;
let our soul and heart
yearn only for you, 
Lord, for in you
we find true peace 
and fulfillment.
Amen.

*Photo by author, St. Michael Retreat Center, Antipolo City, 21 July 2026.*

Love your enemies

Lord My Chef Daily Recipe for Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II
Thursday, Twenty-third Week in Ordinary Time, Year II, 10 September 2026
1 Corinthians 8:1-7, 11-13 ><]]]]’> + ><]]]]’> + ><]]]]’> Luke 6:27-38

*Photo by author, San Juan, La Union, 08 January 2026.*

It is again that most difficult part 
of your gospel, 
Lord Jesus,
our least favorite
of your teachings -
“love your enemies.”

Forgive us, Lord
because the mere thought of
"enemies" turn us off right away;
it is wrong but human as we are,
there is always that 
feeling of revulsion,
of getting even with those
who have hurt us
or wronged us;
but, we realize too
how in the long run
it is pure foolishness
of keeping that grudge against
our enemies because
as St. Paul tells us also today,
"knowledge inflates with pride,
but love builds up."

Your teaching
for us to love
our enemies 
is not really
about our strength
and willpower,
Jesus but in our likeness
with God,
"Be merciful, 
just as also your 
Father is merciful."

Help us, 
Jesus, 
to pray more
intensely,
to surrender more wholly
to you so that we can
let flow towards others
the mercy you have
showered us.
Amen.

*Photo by author, Anvvaya Cove, Morong, Bataan, 21 July 2026.*

You are blessed

Lord My Chef Daily Recipe for Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II
Wednesday, Twenty-third Week in Ordinary Time, Year II
Memorial of St. Peter Claver, SJ, Priest, 09 September 2026
1 Corinthians 7:25-31     <*((((>< + ><))))*>     Luke 6:20-26

*Photo by a friend from Swan Island Dahlia Farm, Canby, Oregon, 29 August 2026.*

The rains have not stopped,
the sun remains hidden
and dark clouds continue
not only above us but even
in our lives these days;
many are so hard pressed
in life - displaced from homes
due to floods, some could not work
and earn with barely nothing to 
keep them warm and fed
while others are depressed,
fearful, uncertain of what is next:

I pray for them all,
Jesus; speak to them
directly like today in 
the gospel; let them hear,
move them and stir their hearts
to life and animation,
to realize they are loved
and cared for,
to never lose hope
in this life,
to let go of their past
sins and mistakes,
to simply not worry
and trust you 
by being grateful
for your many blessings.

“Blessed are you who are poor, for the Kingdom of god is yours. Blessed are you who are now hungry, for you will be satistifed. Blessed are you who are now weeping, for you will laugh. Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude and insult you, and denounce your name as evil on account of the Son of Man” (Luke 6:20-22).

You are speaking directly
to each one of us, Jesus;
may those going through
difficulties these days
hear and feel your blessings,
Jesus;
it is hard and so difficult
to listen and accept
being called blessed
according to your gospel,
Jesus
because many of us are
going through it!

May your beatitudes
comfort us, dear Jesus,
find consolation in you
like your Jesuit Saint
Peter Claver
who offered his life
 to those enslaved
in Colombia,
choosing to live among
those despised than among
those comfortable;
help me find blessedness
Jesus in solidarity with
those suffering,
for those in the margins,
for those forgotten
for those suffering in silence.
Amen.