Stunned

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

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.

We are a “puff of smoke”

The Lord Is My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II
Wednesday, Memorial of St. Rita de Cascia, Religious, 22 May 2024
James 4:13-17 ><]]]]'> + ><]]]]'> + ><]]]]'> Mark 9:38-40

"you have no idea
what your life will be like
tomorrow. 
You are a puff of smoke
that appears briefly
and then disappears" 
(James 4:14).

St. James' imagery
of our lives
and of our very selves
are so light as the
puff of a smoke
but so heavy in meaning
for it is true indeed
we are nothing in this world
without God;
it is only in God
we have worth
and meaning.

Forgive us,
dear Jesus
when we are arrogant,
proud and boastful,
when we live so far from You,
detached from You,
living on our "own"
as if we have control
of everything;
forgive us,
dear Jesus
when we are like John
who tried to prevent
someone driving out demons
in Your name simply because
he was not one of us;
forgive us,
dear Jesus
whenever we think we
have an edge over others
simply because they are
not with us in the Church
or just because they are
different in their approach
and style.

Like St. Rita of Cascia
to whom You did so many
wondrous things,
help us to rely solely in
You, Jesus;
that nothing is too late
nor too early
with Your grace
for as long as we rely
on You.
Not in us.
Amen.