Lord My Chef Daily Recipe for Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II
Tuesday, Memorial of St. Leo the Great, Pope & Doctor of Church, 10 November 2026
Titus 2:1-8, 11-14     ><))))*> + ><))))*> + ><))))*>     Luke 17:7-10

Teach me, 
Jesus, to serve
you freely, 
without asking 
anything in return
especially recognition
because it is my mission,
my response
to your call
as servant.

Jesus said to the Apostles: “Who among you would say to your servant who has just come in from plowing or tending sheep in the field, ‘Come here immediately and take your place at table’? would he not rather say to him, ‘Prepare something for me to eat’… Is he grateful to that servvant because he did what was commanded? So should it be with you. when you have done all you have been commanded, say, ‘We are unprofitable servants; we havve done what we are obliged to do'” (Luke 17:7-8,9-10).

In this world
where being recognized
in "likes" and "thumbs up"
are the currencies to live
even to exist,
our praises
and recognition 
have become
so empty,
even "cringy"
because we know
it is a mere show,
an acting out or
a hypocrisy for others
to see; we have even become
lost on how we want to be
thanked because we are
confused also of what is to serve
with everyone keeping accounts
on our every move
like selfies and photos
in social media.

Your faithful servant,
St. Leo the Great whose
memorial we celebrate today
reminded us of our dignity
especially while serving
you, Jesus;
serving and being loved
and valued are not opposites
but actually go hand in hand
because true service
leads to freedom -
free to be one's self
and express freely what
one feels and believes,
free from what others say
or think
that eventually 
fills us with joy
in having experienced
you Jesus in our service.

To serve freely,
therefore,
is simply to be good
as St. Paul reminded
Titus.
And us today.
Amen.