Lawiswis ng Salita ni P. Nicanor F. Lalog II, Ika-13 ng Hulyo 2022
Larawan kuha ng may-akda, 2016.
Itong ulan
ay kay buting paalala
sa atin ng kalikasan
na kailanma'y hindi tayo nalilimutan
ng Panginoong Maykapal
sa ating mga pangangailangan;
dinidiligan nanunuyot na kapaligiran
maging ating katauhan, minsa'y
nagwiwilig lamang upang maibsan
ang alinsangan at kung tag-ulan,
bumubuhos upang lubluban
labis nating karumihan!
Larawan kuha ng may-akda, 2020.
Itong ulan
maraming kahulugan
kadalasa'y pagpapala at
biyaya, tubig mula sa kalangitan
bagaman kung minsan
ay parang sumpa o parusa
tila mga patak ng luha
tayo ay binabaha ng hirap
at hilahil, nalulunod sa pighati
at kalungkutan na tila walang katapusan.
Itong ulan
mayroong taglay na katangian
wala sa ibang kalikasan
ang mangusap at magparamdam
dampian buong katawan tulad
ng isa pang kapwa nilalang
upang maranasan kalinisan at
kadalisayan nitong buhay
luntiang mga dahon, damdaming naaantig
ng magkasabay na lamig at halumigmig!
Photo by Ms. Jo Villafuerte, Benguet, September 2019.
God our loving Father:
It has been three weeks
since June started and
I was so happy we are already
halfway through the year
when suddenly the thermostat
went crazy, going as high as 34
and 36 in some places; but,
the most weird of all is after
the searing heat of the day are
the evening thunderstorms that
cause floods in some areas
due to heavy rains that poured.
It has been going on like that, Lord,
with Mother Nature reminding us
to really change our lifestyles and
way of thinking before we totally
destroy our only home, planet Earth;
what a playful way, Lord,
for you to remind us of how things
are not going well with thunderstorms
especially for some people.
When I was younger,
you have always heard my prayers,
Lord, during thunderstorms;
thank you for keeping us all safe.
As I got older,
every thunderstorm has become
a reminder for me to pray
not only for my safety but
most especially for people
going through many storms in life.
Bless, dear God our Father,
the many people staying indoors
due to the heavy rains
coming their way these days:
those who are battling loneliness
and old age amid the emptiness
in their empty nests and retirement.
Bless, dear God our Father,
those devastated by heavy storms in life:
those diagnosed with cancer,
those immobilized by stroke,
those who have to go on dialysis
and delicate surgeries
along with their loved ones
who have to take care of them
or worst, with caregivers
because no one in their family
can be present for them.
Bless, dear God our Father,
those living under dark gloomy skies
of grief after losing their loved ones
especially during this pandemic;
many of them have not taken any
respite yet and death has come
knocking at them twice or thrice lately.
Bless, dear God our Father,
the many others being pummeled
by so many typhoons in life:
those having problems in their
family and relationships, those
who have lost their jobs,
those trying so hard to make
ends meet, those who wish
to give up on life due to so many
problems that beset them.
I pray for them all, Father.
In the name of Jesus Christ your Son
our Lord, keep them strong,
enlighten their minds and hearts
with your Holy Spirit so they may
keep on seeking and standing by
your truth; fill them with courage
and perseverance, keep them faithful
and hopeful even if things get worst
BECAUSE IT IS ALWAYS AFTER
THE STORMS, AFTER THE RAINS
WHEN THE LEAVES ARE GREENEST;
IT IS AFTER THE FLOODS WHEN RICH TOP SOIL
ARE DEPOSITED ON THE FIELDS.
Let us hold on to you, loving Father,
to lead us to abundant life
and fulfillment in Jesus Christ
with the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Photo by Fr. Pop dela Cruz, San Miguel, Bulacan, 15 June 2022.
The Lord Is My Chef Sunday Music by Fr. Nick F. Lalog II, 09 August 2020
Photo by Fr. Gener Garcia, “El camino de santiago de compostela” in Spain, 2019.
Don’t you feel it is like a Good Friday on this gloomy and rainy Sunday in August? Problems and trials continue to come our way this year 2020 that we are like the Apostles together in a boat in the middle of the sea caught in a violent storm at night with Jesus nowhere in sight!
But, we know the rest of the story, of how Jesus rescued the Twelve by walking on water, calmed the storm upon joining them in their boat until they reached the shore.
Sometimes in life, we need to get away from our “comfort zones” and cross to the other side of the lake or sea like in our gospel especially when life becomes so artificial that we need to experience it in its “rawness” from deep within our souls until we desire and meet God anew wherever we may be (https://lordmychef.com/2020/08/08/meeting-jesus/).
And because of the storms that continue to rage in us and among us in this ghost month of August, we offer you with inspiring songs from two lovely female artists that we hope will uplift you and soothe your tired body and soul.
First in our double header is Ms. Pauline Wilson’s 1997 solo version of their 1979 classic “Follow Your Road” when she was the lead singer of their Hawaii-based jazz fusion band called the Seawind.
So enticingly warm, Follow Your Road teems with a lot of Christian teachings that have strongly influenced Ms. Wilson and partners who are also into Gospel music. The song invites us to reflect on our lives in order to find its meaning and direction – exactly what Jesus has been telling us to follow him especially when we are into storms and darkness in our lives.
We are all but travelers living in a foreign land Just trying to find our way – best as we can Looking for an answer, trying to find some light And though we have journeyed far, it’s not quite far enough.
Have you wondered where your road will lead you? Maybe to a song that needs singing, or a summer rain Or it might be you’re afraid to go, afraid to go But you’ve got to follow your road, or you’ll never know
Uploaded by caddxprt, 17 September 2008.
Our second song on this rainy Sunday is from another Gospel singer Ms. Oleta Adams who was nominated to the Grammy Award as Best Female Pop Vocal Performance the following year after releasing “Get Here If You Can” in 1990.
Ms. Adams first caught the world’s attention in 1989 when she was invited by Curt Smith and Roland Orzabal of Tears for Fears to join them as singer and pianist for their 1989 “Seeds of Love” album from which came the hit single “Woman in Chains” with her singing a duet with Orzabal.
Get Here If You Can is a song putting to the test the love and fidelity of the song’s lover.
Faith, like love, is always an encounter, especially with the Lord Jesus Christ.
The experience of Peter sinking in water as he approached Jesus is a lesson in being focused with our love and faith in Christ despite the heavy storms and darkness that come into our lives.
There are hills and mountains between us Always something to get over If I had my way, surely you would be closer I need you closer
Lawiswis ng Salita ni P. Nicanor F. Lalog II, ika-18 ng Hulyo 2019
Tuwing tag-ulan Aking binabalikan Paliligo sa ulan Noong aking kamusmusan.
Bakit nga ba sa ating katandaan Hindi na tayo makapaligo sa ulan? Dala ba ng makabagong panahon At iba na ang ating laruan at kasiyahan?
Tayo nga ba ay maselan Dahil marumi na ang ulan? Hindi ba ito ay ating kagagawan Winasak natin magandang kalikasan?
Aking pinaka-iibig kapag umuulan Tubig mula sa kalangitan, pinakikilig aking kaibuturan Bibig dinidilig, pisngi'y dinadampian Habang mukha'y nakatingala kay Bathala.
Ito ang kagandahan at kabutihan Ng paliligo sa ulan Muli nating nararamdaman ating kalikasan Ganan ng ating katauhan.
Nagbabadyang ulan, kay sarap pagmasdan. Aking inaasam-asam, paliligo sa ulan sana’y maisakatuparan!
lordmychef.com 