Lord My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II Tuesday in the Second Week of Advent, 09 December 2025 Isaiah 40:1-11 ><))))*> + ><))))*> + ><))))*> Matthew 18:12-14
Photo by author, December 2018.
Today you ask me Lord Jesus something so ordinary yet so profound: "What is your opinion? If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them goes astray, will he not leave the ninety-nine in the hills and go in search of the stray?" (Matthew 18:12)
So many times dear Jesus I feel like you, the Good Shepherd: I feel uneasy the moment one of my sheep or anything or anyone is missing, is lost, is nowhere to be found; there is that sense of emptiness, of incompleteness, of lacking when someone or something is missing and like you, I would leave everything just to find that one missing!
In my opinion, as you ask me now, Lord Jesus, I feel you coming, I feel you searching me the moment I am lost, or simply feeling distant and unsure of the path and direction to take in life, or sometimes feeling scattered; Advent is God not waiting for us to go back but you coming to find us!
“And if he finds it, amen, I say to you, he rejoices more over it than over the ninety-nine that did not stray. In the same way, it is not the will of your heavenly Father that one of these little ones be lost” (Matthew 18:13-14).
Advent is you, Lord Jesus coming and looking for us; on this Tuesday in the Second Week of Advent, I pray dear Jesus for those who feel a part of them is lost or missing; help us find our way back home to you; let us not stray further away but finally follow you back in our selfish and closed self. Amen.
Lord My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II Friday in the First Week of Advent, 05 December 2025 Isaiah 29:17-24 ><))))*> + ><))))*> + ><))))*> Matthew 9:27-31
I love your words today, Lord Jesus Christ: "Do you believe that I can do this?" (Matthew 9:28)
How amazing is this story, so Advent because the season calls us to believe, to wait, even to see you Jesus even we cannot see anything at all!
How can two blind men follow you except by merely listening, even listen intently when we who can see cannot see you, refuse to follow you, refuse to believe you?
Like those two blind men, we tell you today that "Yes, Lord, we believe you can make us see again." Please do so. Make it quick. For we are so blinded by the world's playful lights including its darkness so romanticized that many drift away from you. Amen.
Lord My Chef Daily Recipe by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II Thursday in the First Week of Advent, 04 December 2025 Isaiah 26:1-6 <*((((>< + ><))))*> Matthew 7:21, 24-27
Photo by author, Malolos Cathedral, December 2019.
On that day they will sing this song in the land of Judah: "A strong city have we; he sets up walls and ramparts to protect us. Open up the gates to let in a nation that is just, one that keeps faith" (Isaiah 26:1-2).
Like most cities, O Lord our God, I lay in ruins: physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually; feeling lost, almost collapsing, trembling in so many fears and concerns; but my faith in you assures me of being "a strong city" with "walls and ramparts" that protect me; I may not see them now but "open the gates" of my heart to trust in you, in your continuing work in me so mysterious that leads to victory eventually.
Give me patience and perseverance; enliven my hope in you, Jesus Christ who comes to me daily, dwelling in me to be my "everlasting rock".
Jesus said to his disciples: “Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock. The rains fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and buffeted the house. But it did not collapse; it had been set solidly on rock” (Matthew 7:24-25).
Keep me faithful in you, Lord Jesus as I rejoice in your works, in your comfort, in your presence and coming. Amen.
Lord My Chef Daily Recipe by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II Tuesday in the First Week of Advent, 02 December 2025 Isaiah 11:1-10 <*((((>< + ><))))*> Luke 10:21-24
Photo by author, December 2019.
Advent is going back to our roots - to you O God our Father like Jesus Christ your Son who is "the shoot from the stump of Jesse" you have promised through the Prophet Isaiah:
On that day, a shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jess, and from his roots a bud a shall blossom… On that day, the root of Jesse, set up as a signal for the nations, the Gentiles shall seek out, for his dwelling shall be glorious (Isaiah 11:1, 10).
On this first week of Advent, Isaiah reminds us of the beauty of Christ's advent that brings about peace when "the wolf shall be a guest of the lamb, the leopard shall lie down with the kid... the calf and young lion shall browse together, with a little child to guide them... the cow and bear shall be neighbors, together their young shall rest, the lion shall eat hay like the ox... the baby shall play by the cobra's den, and the child lay his hand on the adder's lair" (Isaiah 11:6-8).
Peace reigns and comes in every advent of Christ when we fix our sights on him while looking deep down inside our hearts, emptying ourselves of pride to find our roots in God, to find our blessedness as your indwelling; let us rediscover you, Jesus, "the shoot from the stump of Jesse", the one completely consecrated to God who journeys with us in this life helping us find our roots God by becoming like children, innocent and humble, seeing the deeper truth and worth of every person and things not colored by biases and prejudices. Amen.
Lord My Chef Daily Recipe by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II Monday, First Week of Advent, 01 December 2025 Isaiah 4:2-6 ><]]]]'> + ><]]]]'> + ><]]]]'> Matthew 8:5-11
Photo by author, Malolos Cathedral, December 2018.
Blessed are you, O God our Father for this first day of December, the first working day in this blessed Season of Advent as we prepare for your Son Jesus Christ's Second Coming; cleanse our hearts, O Lord so that you may dwell in us, come to us as as we dwell in you, come to you, "our shelter and protection; shade from parching heat of day, refuge and cover from storm and rain" (Isaiah 4:6).
How lovely are your words today, O Lord, as you fulfill in Jesus Christ our gathering in you as your people, this time not just in a building like the old temple of Jerusalem nor our modern churches; teach us to be more humble like that centurion in recognizing your supreme authority for you are Authority yourself; despite his not being a Jew, the centurion had the faith and humility in Jesus Christ's healing of his servant without touching nor seeing him.
O dear Jesus, you are the New Temple, you are our Temple, our dwelling no longer made by hands: grant us the grace of genuine faith and humility in you especially during the Mass right before we receive you in the Holy Eucharist saying the very same words of that centurion you praised, "Lord, I am not worthy that You should come under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed" (Matthew 8:8). Amen.
Lord My Chef Sunday Recipe for the Soul, Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II First Sunday of Advent-A, 30 November 2025 Isaiah 2:1-5 ><}}}}*> Romans 13:11-14 ><}}}}*> Matthew 24:37-44
Photo by author, the Hagia Sophia, Istanbul, Turkiye, 01 November 2025.
I rarely travel abroad and though I am joyful and grateful for those rare occasions especially through the kindness of some friends, I feel so sad seeing how other countries are doing so well, so good – so unlike us in the Philippines.
After my recent trip to Turkiye and Romania, the more I am convinced I would never experience a better Philippines at least in my lifetime for sure.
Photo by author, Bucharest, Romania, 07 November 2025.
Look at Hong Kong: while firemen were still fighting the blaze in a high-rise housing complex last Wednesday that caused over 120 deaths with scores wounded and missing, authorities have already arrested in less than 24 hours at least three suspects linked with the deadly fires while here in the Philippines, all the key players in the multi-billion peso ghost project scam remain free with some already hiding abroad.
And just as we are about to end November for the merry month of December, the secretary of Trade and Industry came out in the news insanely insisting that anyone with 500 pesos can have a noche buena of ham, spaghetti and fruit salad?! What else can we say but a heavy sigh with OMG…
Sorry for the lamentations. In times like these you really can’t avoid wonder sometimes where is God? Has he forgotten us in the Philippines? So very sad.
Photo by author, Camp John Hay, Baguio City, 01 December 2018.
Oh, by the way, a blessed “Happy New Year” to everyone! We begin this first Sunday of Advent as the new year in our Church calendar.
From the Latin adventus that means “coming” that used to designate the arrival of the Roman emperor in the provinces and colonies of the ancient Roman empire, we have adopted it in the Church as a season of preparing for the coming of the true King of kings, Jesus Christ. Notice how we closed last Sunday our Church calendar with Christ the King and now opens it with preparations for the coming of Christ, the King of kings.
Advent has two aspects: from this Sunday until December 16, all readings and prayers are directed to the Second Coming of Christ or parousia at the end of time; from December 17-24, all prayers and readings shift our attention to look back and reflect at the first coming of Christ in Bethlehem more than 2000 years ago. That is the meaning of the four candles in our Advent wreath.
Photo by author, Basic Education Department Chapel, Our Lady of Fatima University, Valenzuela City, 2021.
Between these Second and First comings of Jesus that Advent prepares us, we celebrate every day Christ’s Third Coming according to St. Bernard of Clairvaux which is the meaning of the very words of the Lord to his disciples then and now as narrated this Sunday by Matthew in the gospel:
Jesus said to this disciples: “As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. In those days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day that Noah entered the ark. They did not know until the flood came and carried them all away. So will it be also at the coming of the Son of Man” (Matthew 24:37-39).
Despite all the negative news we have in the country and from around the world, despite all the darkness and problems we have in our lives, we are still blessed today because Jesus has come, will come again, and always comes. Welcome!
Let us get that feeling therefore on this first Sunday of Advent of having “arrived” to another year of journey in our spiritual life with Matthew as guide every Sunday Mass, praying for God’s grace for us to prepare not only for the Second Coming of Christ at the end of time but most especially for his daily coming to us which could also mean our death.
Jesus comes every day and therefore, every day is judgment day.
But it does not mean catastrophe because Christ’s coming at the end of time is about our attitude in living as he pointed out to his disciples during the days of Noah. Jesus comes in the most ordinary circumstances without us even knowing at all that it could be the end just like when the floods came after Noah’s family have entered and locked the ark.
It is not being morbid nor pessimistic in life. We know for sure death’s certainty except its precise moment. Death is not something to be afraid of but something we have to prepare for as it leads us to eternal life in God. It is scary for those not living life fully in God. To meet Jesus Christ is to live fully and authentically, to find life’s meaning in him not in things. How sad that many people these days live superficially without any qualms at all about God and spirituality and morality. More sad is the fact that many practically live their lives in social media without even knowing it at all! Observe what we post, the language we speak, our line of thoughts that are all influenced by media. Reflect on the great amounts of screen time we make daily and weekly that eat up our very existence!
Photo by author, 2019.
Advent is the season of vigilance, of being awake. Jesus reminds us today never to doubt his coming for he surely comes. If we are negligent, we end in disaster and catastrophe like in his example:
“Two men will be out in the field; one will be taken, and one will be left. Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken, and one will be left. Therefore, stay awake! For you do not know on which day your Lord will come” (Matthew 24:40-42).
The prophet Isaiah tells us in the first reading how the coming of the Messiah is so sure that it does not depend in the vagaries of history because our God is the God of history himself. He fulfills his promises according to his plans, not according to man’s designs and manipulations. Despite the many wars and natural calamities the world has experienced in history, Jesus had come and keeps on coming. How foolish governments spend billions of dollars and countless hours studying how to find life in outer space while working on how to annihilate each other, destroy life at its weakest moments of infancy and old age while forgetting the hungry and dying among us. If we could just open our minds and our hearts to Christ’s daily coming then we fulfill Isaiah’s prophecy, “They shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks” (Is.2:4).
Photo by author, 2018.
This can only happen when we recognize every here and now, every present moment as Christ’s coming that is already taking place in our midst as St. Paul reminds us in the second reading, “For our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed; the night is advanced, the day is at hand. Let us then throw off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light” (Rom. 13:11-12).
Aside from preparing for our salvation that happens in Christ’s coming, Advent is also the season when we are called to share the light of Jesus to those in darkness. This early, so many malls, offices and homes have already put up with their colorful Christmas decorations like lanterns and Christmas trees. May we not forget to share most of all the light of Jesus Christ that brings joy and peace from our firm faith, fervent hope and unceasing charity and love especially when times are dark and rough for that is when the Lord truly comes. Amen. A blessed Advent season to everyone!
Lord My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II Tuesday, Memorial of St. Catherine of Alexandria, Virgin and Martyr Daniel 2:31-45 <*((((>< + ><))))*> Luke 21:5-11
Photo by author, Cathedral of St. Catherine of Alexandria, Dumaguete City, 07 November 2024.
Thank you,
dearest God our Father
in reminding us today of
visions and images:
vision in the dream of
Nebuchadnezzar of the rise
and fall of kingdoms and empires
vis-a-vis
your absolute power above all
in this world;
and of the image of the temple
as your presence made permanent
in Jesus Christ your Son.
While some people were speaking about how the temple was adorned with costly stones and votive offerings, Jesus said, “All that you see here – the days will come when there will not be left a stone upon another stone that will not be thrown down” (Luke 21:5-6).
You sent us your Son, Jesus Christ as the ultimate sign of your presence, better than any temple nor building; clear our minds of the temporal nature of things, to be more focused on Jesus as the sign interconnecting us with you and one another; most of all, may his warnings spoken in Jerusalem resound in us today of the destruction not only of temple but also of a breakdown in our relationships with you and with one another; may Jesus be our sole temple and foundation in life.
Teach us to be like St. Catherine of Alexandria who spent her life in prayer and studies to know you more, love you more and serve you more even in offering her very self as a virgin and apologist of your truth; like her, may we be consistent in professing our faith in you so that even in the face of strong opposition, we too may win over those who doubt you as Lord and God. Amen.
Photo by author, monastery of St. Catherine of Alexandria at Mt. Sinai, Egypt, May 2019.
Lord My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II Monday, Memorial of St. Andrew Dung-Lac & Companion Martyrs, 24 November 2025 Daniel 1:1-6, 8-20 ><))))*> + ><))))*> + ><))))*> Luke 21:1-4
Photo by Mr. Chester Ocampo, UST-SHS, 04 November 2019.
Lord Jesus Christ, give me a new perspective today on this final stretch of November and of our liturgical calendar; let me see this too familiar scene with you at the temple with new eyes:
When Jesus looked up he saw some wealthy people putting their offerings into the treasury and he noticed a poor widow putting in two small coins. He said, “I tell you truly, this poor widow put in more than all the rest; for those others have all made offerings from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has offered her whole livelihood” (Luke 21:1-4).
Every day,
dear Jesus I witness
a similar scene
but never bothered myself
to search for you,
to find you there,
also sitting,
looking,
observing
how we put our
offerings not only to
the treasury but to each day;
teach me to suspend every
judgment so I may see truly
the poor and the rich among us;
open my eyes and let me
move away from everything familiar
to converse and share moments
with that woman,
perhaps share a meal with her
and ask her,
"why give
all those
two small coins?"
I feel you, Lord
speaking also to me:
teach me to be content
and grateful with whatever
I have like that poor widow;
teach me to believe more,
to trust more in you;
most of all,
teach me to have less
for myself,
less of myself
in order to have more
of you.
Amen.
Lord My Chef Sunday Recipe for the Soul, 23 November 2025 Solemnity of Christ the King, Cycle C 2 Samuel 5:1-3 ><}}}}*> Colossians 1:12-20 ><}}}}*> Luke 23:35-43
I was teasing our campus ministry head for communication last Tuesday after he had presented to me this announcement for our Christ the King celebration today. “Para namang malnourished si Jesus diyan,” I told Darwin as he scratched his head laughing during our meeting.
But, that evening after praying our gospel, I changed my mind the following Wednesday and told Darwin to go ahead with his original artwork because I have realized that the face of Christ the King is also the face of us suffering.
Photo by author, Holy Monday, 2025.
Are you not surprised that on this final Sunday of the liturgical year, we are not presented with an image of a victorious Jesus like that Cristo Rey found in every Catholic home but the gospel scene of Jesus suffering in excruciating pain there on the Cross on Good Friday?
Above him there was an inscription that read, “This is the King of the Jews.” Now one of the criminals hanging there reviled Jesus, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us.” The other, however, rebuking him, said in reply, “Have you no fear of God, for you are subject to the same condemnation? And indeed, we have been condemned justly, for the sentence we received corresponds to our crimes, but this man has done nothing criminal.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” He replied to him, “Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise” (Luke 23:38-43).
Photo by author, Chapel of St. Francis Xavier, Sacred Heart Novitiate, Quezon City, 2024.
On this Solemnity of Christ the King, St. Luke invites us for the last time we hear his gospel this year to look at the face and into the eyes of Jesus crucified.
What do you see and feel in him?
Ever wondered what the rulers and soldiers saw on the face of Jesus crucified that they sneered and jeered him from below? They were so filled with pride in finally putting into shame and silence Jesus who had always spoken the truth and exposed their lies and hypocrisies.
What do we see when people are put on the spot and shamed like Jesus crucified or like the woman caught committing adultery Jesus forgave and saved from being stoned by the angry crowd? So sad that in this age of social media, public trials and condemnation have become a hobby for many without even checking the accusations are true or not.
Let us move closer to Jesus on the Cross like those two thieves hanging at each of his side: what do you see and feel about him?
Why did the other thief join those below in deriding and insulting Jesus crucified? Now one of the criminals hanging there reviled Jesus, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us” (Lk.23:39).
Have you ever found yourself in the ER or waiting for your turn at the doctor’s clinic with other patients also in pain and suffering? How do you see the other patients and sick people like you? Is there in your mind any tinge of suspicion why or how they got sick? The best and the worst in us come out in such times when we are so down beside another suffering brother or sister.
Or, do we choose the path of humility and sincerity of Dimas, the good thief? What did he see in Jesus there on the Cross? The other, however, rebuking him, said in reply, “Have you no fear of God, for you are subject to the same condemnation? And indeed, we have been condemned justly, for the sentence we received corresponds to our crimes, but this man has done nothing criminal” (Lk.23:40-41).
Most likely, Dimas must have heard a lot about the teachings and healings by Jesus but he felt something so unique and liberating, so personal during those dark moments of excruciating pains when he finally recognized Christ his Savior, the only true King that is why he asked to be remembered in his kingdom!
Finally, somebody greater than him there beside him, saying nothing to judge nor condemn him nor irritate him like his fellow criminal at the other side. In recognizing Jesus, Dimas also found himself as truly human, weak and finite who can only be whole and complete – saved and redeemed – in Christ who chose to be there on the Cross with him exactly as St. Paul had written in our second reading.
He is before all thing, and in him all things hold together. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things he himself might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness was pleased to dwell, and through him reconcile all things for him, making peace by the blood of his cross through him, whether those on earth or those in heaven (Colossians 1:17, 18-20).
Photo by author, St. Scholastica Spirituality Center, Baguio City, August 2023.
Here we find the beauty of the Cross, of how God so perfect without any need to suffer and experience pain yet chose to go through it to express his solidarity and love for us humans.
It is on the cross when we are most able to identify and be one in Jesus Christ. That is why it is also on the Cross that we enter heaven with Jesus amid suffering and death. Jesus said today you shall be with me in Paradise – not later when we die or after three days at Easter. How lovely that Jesus never promised heaven when he was strong and freely moving around but when he was there on the cross, nailed and dying.
Jesus Christ is the King of the Universe not because of his powers and might but primarily of his being one of us in sufferings and death. It was the very feeling the tribes of Israel were telling David when they came to him in Hebron to reaffirm their allegiance to him as their king, “Here we are, your bone and your flesh” (2 Sm. 5:1).
The people we admire most are not always the best nor most powerful nor talented because often we envy them. On the other hand, we are more drawn with those down and burdened because we see in them our own brokenness, too, that it is part of life and of being human. That is why we easily empathize with those grieving or sad than with those happy or rejoicing.
Our humanity reaches its highest point and beauty when broken and weak as we realize our mortality and similarity with others in suffering needing for a Savior. We are most inhuman whenever we enjoy inflicting or causing pains on others or when rejoicing in their agonies. To proclaim Christ is the King of the Universe is to always see him in our sufferings and among those suffering too like us. Amen. A blessed week ahead of you!
Lord My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II Friday, Memorial of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, 21 November 2025 1 Maccabees 4:36-37, 52-59 <*{{{{>< + ><}}}}*> Luke 19:45-48
Photo by author, Mary’s home in Ephesus, 03 November 2025.
God our loving Father, today I praise and thank you again for the recent chance to travel and experience your majesty and beauty abroad and among other peoples of different culture; most of all, I am grateful to have been to the home of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Ephesus; until now, I am savoring, "masticating" the blessed experience.
Jesus entered the temple area and proceeded to drive out those who were selling things, saying to them, “It is written, My house shall be a house of prayer, but you have made it a den of thieves” (Luke 19:45-46).
As I recall that brief moment of stay inside the Ephesus home of Mary, I felt my whole being emptied - hollowed - and as I knelt and prayed without any distractions, no worries about pictures nor of time, slowly I felt being filled within by you, O God: from hollowedness to holiness or hallowed; that is why Jesus drove away the merchants out of temple: every temple, every place of worship including our very selves is a home and dwelling place of God; the chief priests, scribes and leader of the people felt under attack by Jesus because they were empty of God, filled of the world and its things; the people were spellbound on the other hand because they have realized that truly, we are the indwelling of God; therefore, let us cleanse ourselves always within not only of sin but also of so many things that distract us away from God to dwell in us like social media.
O Blessed Virgin Mary, from the very start you have been reserved by God from any stain of sin to be the Mother of the Christ but it was also fulfilled because of human cooperation: of your parents dedicating you to God and most of all, of your fiat to God. Pray for us, Mama Mary that we may cultivate a prayer life that shall make us a home to God; let us express our fiat to him daily by presenting ourselves to him like you. Amen.
Photo by author, back of Mary’s home in Ephesus, 03 November 2025.
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