Faith & intimacy

Lord My Chef Sunday Recipe for Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II
Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle A, 16 August 2026
Isaiah 56:1, 6-7 ><}}}}*> Romans 11:13-15, 29-32 ><}}}}*> Matthew 15:21-28

*Photo by author, Dead Sea region, the Holy Land, May 2017.*

The past two Sundays must have been physically tiring for Jesus and his disciples, not to mention emotionally draining as well. After walking on water to join his disciples in the boat tossed by giant waves last week, they finally landed at Gennesaret.

But, things got worse there when some Pharisees and scribes from Jerusalem raised issues against Jesus why his disciples disregarded their ritual traditions of purification like washing of hands before eating; Jesus defended them, declaring that “it is not what enters one’s mouth that defiles a person; but what comes out of the mouth” (Mt.15:11).

Sensing troubles, Jesus again withdrew but this time to the gentile region of Tyre and Sidon to defuse tensions with his detractors and especially for much needed rest.

At that time, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. And behold, a Canaanite woman of that district came and called out, “Have pity on me, Lord, Son of David! My daughter is tormented by a demon” (Matthew 15:21-22).

*An ink-drawing by a student of Rembrandt of Jesus with the Canaanite woman at the far left from the Getty Museum Collection.*

The scene is lovely with a dash of humor – just as when Jesus thought there would be no fellow Jew to disturb them in Tyre and Sidon being a gentile region, a pagan woman recognized him!

See and feel the drama when Matthew wrote, And behold, a Canaanite woman of that district came and called out, “Have pity on me, Lord, Son of David! My daughter is tormented by a demon.”

Two Sundays ago, Matthew presented us Christ teaching the need to have faith in him because he is our abundance in the midst of our scarcity when he fed more than five thousand people from just five loaves of bread and two pieces of fish; after that miracle, Jesus walked on water to join his disciples in their boat tossed by giant waves due to strong winds in the middle of the lake before dawn to teach the importance of faith in him because Jesus is our certainty and security.

This Sunday, Matthew presents to us another dimension of faith in Christ which leads to intimacy in our relationships with God and with others.

Actually, the Canaanite woman is the second pagan Jesus had accommodated a request for healing. In chapter 8, Matthew tells us how Jesus healed the servant of a Roman centurion who was definitely a pagan.

It is very interesting to note that only these two pagans were praised by Jesus for their faith in him. And that is because they were so engaging in making their request from Jesus.

See how very similar with that centurion who told Jesus, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof; only say the word and my servant will be healed” (Mt.8:8) this Canaanite woman in engaging Jesus for the healing of her daughter:

But Jesus did not say a word in answer to her. Jesus’ disciples came and asked him, “Send her away, for she keeps calling out after us.” He said in reply, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” But the woman came and did Jesus homage, saying, “Lord, help me.” He said in reply, “It is not right to take the food of the children and throw it to the dogs.” She said, “Please, Lord, for even the dogs eat the scraps that fall from the table of their masters.” Then Jesus said to her in reply, “O woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.” And the woman’s daughter was healed from that hour (Matthew 15:23-28).

A painting of “The Canaanite Woman asks for healing for her daughter” by Spanish painter Juan de Flandes ca. 1500 as part of the 47 small panels of paintings commissioned by Queen Isabella I of Castile; from commons.wikimedia.org.

The woman definitely had some faith in Jesus whom she addressed as “Lord” like Simon Peter at the middle of the lake last Sunday. She had also researched on Jesus she called “Son of David” – the title of the Messiah only the Jews would know. Here we find a faith that is growing, deepening into an intimacy as shown by her intense engagement with Jesus.

Intimacy happens when there is an engagement like wrestling. Best example is when Jacob wrestled with an angel until sunrise where he prevailed and was given the new name “Israel” that means one who struggles and prevails with God.

Only those with deep faith in God would wrestle and struggle until they prevail like Jacob, the Roman centurion and that Canaanite woman. Wrestling in Filipino is magbuno – that’s how I imagined the Canaanite woman coming forward to Jesus in homage, begging, insisting, “Please, Lord, for even the dogs eat the scraps that fall from the table of their masters.”

What an amazing faith!

It was very clear with the Canaanite woman they as pagans were not one of the “children” or Jews entrusted with the covenant with God signified by the “bread”; the woman clearly had no intentions of usurping any rights from the chosen people for she knew very well their share, the mere crumbs falling from the table.

However, the Canaanite woman expressed in her tough engagement with Jesus her faith and hope as well that day, they were contented with crumbs but some day, they shall be seated at the table too as expressed by God to Isaiah in the first reading that eventually was fulfilled in Christ. And that’s the other miracle that happened that day: the woman’s hope for salvation in the future was fulfilled at the very moment she wrestled with Jesus for her daughter’s healing!

Many times in life we felt Jesus coming to us in unfamiliar grounds and situations like when he withdrew to Tyre and Sidon where we were weakest, deep into sins, doubting and unfaithful with him.

This Sunday, Jesus invites us to walk with him, even to argue and debate with him, “wrestle” with him in our own Tyre and Sidon because we have nobody else to turn to but him as our joy and fulfillment, healing and forgiveness, most of all, peace.

Do not worry if Jesus would not seem to notice us like the Canaanite woman. Intimacy is more than being close or near Jesus when we come to church or chapel to pray. Our Filipino word for intimacy is more evocative of its nature – matalik that involves active presence leading to total giving of self.

Intimacy is faith in action involving personal contact with Jesus that best happens in unfamiliar territories like Tyre and Sidon where we confront our sins, vulnerabilities and insecurities, weaknesses and failures. It is stripping ourselves naked before Christ like that Canaanite woman who accepted their being referred as “dogs” contented with crumbs. That’s when miracles happen!

Today we remember too those family and friends we have had some falling out and misunderstanding, some for years while others we may be still living with but have a long-running feud and misunderstanding. They are our Tyre and Sidon where Jesus is awaiting us to meet him for healing and reconciliation as reflected by Paul in the Second Reading. Let us have faith to bare ourselves before Christ to be freed from the pains and hurts tormenting us all these years. What matters most is we get intimate with Jesus so the rest of our relationships would follow. Amen. Have blessed, warm and dry week hopefully ahead!

Jesus our certainty & security

Lord My Chef Sunday Recipe for Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II
Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle A, 09 August 2026
1Kings 19:9, 11-13 ><}}}}*> Romans 9:1-5 ><}}}}*> Matthew 14:22-33

*Photo by author, Lake of Galilee, the Holy Land, May 2017.*

Way back in 2017 on my second pilgrimage in the Holy Land with friends from GMA News, our early morning boat ride was postponed to midmorning due to strong winds in the Lake of Galilee that locals said could be so dangerous.

And that’s how life could really be a lot often in the most poetic sense.

In this journey in life, we not only walk the earth and climb hills and mountains but also have to cross rivers and lakes and seas many times. This is exactly what we do every Sunday when we journey in faith in Jesus, with Jesus just like the disciples at that time.

This year Matthew leads us in this journey. He tells us a totally different scene and setting in giving us a glimpse of the very person of Jesus Christ this Sunday.

*Photo by author, Lake of Galilee, the Holy Land, May 2019.*

After the miraculous feeding of more than five-thousand people from five loaves of bread and two pieces of fish last week, Jesus ordered his disciples to go ahead of him on a boat to the other side of the lake as he dismissed the crowds; by evening, Jesus was left alone atop the mountain praying while his disciples encountered rough seas a few miles offshore. During the fourth watch of the night, that is, about 3AM, Jesus came to his disciples walking on water.

When the disciples saw him walking on the sea they were terrified. “It is a ghost,” they said, and they cried out of fear. At once Jesus spoke to them, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.” Peter said to him in reply, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” Peter got out of the boat and began to walk on the water toward Jesus. But when he saw how strong the wind was he became frightened, and, beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand and caught Peter, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” After they got into the boat, the wind died down. Those who were in the boat did him homage, saying, “Turly, you are the Son of God” (Matthew 14:26-33).

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

How was our journey of faith this past year? Have our trust in God grown or changed?

It is really difficult to measure our faith, of how deep it has become because most often, we still feel fragile and uncertain, afraid and so unsure.

Growing in faith is often not straightforward; many times we feel shaken, almost at a total loss when suddenly Jesus comes at the nick of time. This is most true when we experience death of a loved one or simply someone close to us.

Actually I have been going to many funerals lately: the death of a best friend last week that was followed by the demise of his mother-in-law a few hours after we have laid him to his final resting place. Last week, several friends and relatives have also died in my hometown but I had to beg off in offering Masses to most of them.

Our faith and trust in God are most tested in deaths. Many things run through our minds when we hear someone close had died: most common reaction is how quick was the shift when we have just saw each other or texted each other then suddenly, we hear death had come while we silently whisper within kailan lang magkausap/magkasama pa tayo…

Like the disciples at that time when their boat was being tossed by waves due to strong winds in the middle of the lake at night: they could not believe how a little while they left Jesus at the shore to cross the lake then suddenly, Jesus was coming toward them on water. It must be terrifying indeed!

*“Christ Walking On Water” painting by Julius Servus von Klever (1880) from commons.wikipedia.org*

Many times too we find ourselves in great difficulty believing – much more accepting – bad news like when we or somebody close to us is diagnosed with a serious illness, had separated from husband or wife, going through a depression or any mental issues, had an accident or lost everything in a fire.

The list is endless of similar situations when we feel like in a boat tossed by giant waves in the middle of the sea at midnight. Like the disciples in the boat, uncertainties and darkness blind us and drive us into fears that sometimes we fail to recognize Jesus already with us.

Just hold on to God amid all the dangers you face with all your worries and doubts, fears and uncertainties. Most of all, “take courage” as Jesus told the disciples in the boat as he approached them on water because he always comes quietly, often unexpectedly.

By the fact we are able to pray, we are able to celebrate Mass on a Sunday, we are able to cry to God, that is enough proof of his very presence in us giving us courage and strength to endure and move forward with whatever we have just like last week when Jesus asked us to give him whatever little we have. What is most important is we call to God, we believe in him no matter how imperfect it may be like Peter who said, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you.”

Ano ba talaga? “Lord, if it is you” – we recognize Jesus our Lord but we can’t remove the “IF” because we are imperfect, divided between doubt and belief.

That’s normal.

There is always that gap in us, like the shore and the sea, doubt and belief that nonetheless keep us in the journey with Christ who asks us to step out in faith even in the high seas.

God does not rush or pressure us to complete faith in him but patiently invites us to grow in trust at our own pace. Even the great Prophet Elijah in the first reading had to wait patiently for God’s coming after fleeing to Mount Horeb to escape the murderous plots of Queen Jezebel against him.

Elijah surely was not aware of everything about God’s plan for him but he had the courage to follow him, to obey him to go to Horeb which is also Mount Sinai where God appeared to Moses. Of course, Elijah knew the scriptures very well, of how God spoke and appeared to Moses and the Israelites in “strong heavy winds and crushing rocks, in earthquake and fire” but found God nowhere. Elijah remained at the mouth of the cave in Horeb until “there was a tiny whispering sound. When he heard this, Elijah hid his face in his cloak and went and stood at the entrance of the cave” (1Kgs.19:12-13).

How lovely is this scene that shows us convincingly that God comes and speaks always in silence. Incidentally, it takes a lot of courage to be silent too.

Faith, like love, comes after an encounter with Jesus. The more we follow Jesus, the more we grow in faith in him as we meet him and most of all, listen to him despite our many imperfections. Just remain in him for he alone is our certainty and security. Let us pray:

Lord Jesus,
draw me deeply into
a trusting relationship with you
by following you more closely
as I struggle with my many 
hesitations and doubts 
of your presence.
Amen.

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

Jesus our abundance

Lord My Chef Sunday Recipe for Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II
Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle A, 02 August 2026
Isaiah 55:1-3 ><}}}}*> Romans 8:35, 37-39 ><}}}}*> Matthew 14:13-21

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

Salamuch July, hello August! Though this eighth month of the year is named after the Roman emperor Augustus, August actually came from the Latin word augustus meaning venerable; used as an adjective, it describes something as majestic and grand like when we say “august halls” or “august chambers” of power and justice.

So, please stop demonizing August as “ghost month” which is a pagan belief. For us Christians who affirmed last Sunday to Jesus that we have “understood” very well his parables, Matthew challenges us this August not only how well we have understood the parables on the kingdom of heaven but most especially how much do we know and love and trust Jesus the Christ.

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

From the shores of Galilee, Matthew now brings us to the wilderness with Jesus where he fed more than five thousand people from a few loaves of bread and pieces of fish.

When he disembarked and saw the vast crowd, his heart was moved with pity for them, and he cured their sick. When it was evening, the disciples approached him and said, “This is a deserted place and it is already late; dismiss the crowds so that they can go to the villages and buy food for themselves.” Jesus said to them, “There is no need for them to go away; give them some food yourselves.” But they said to him, “Five loaves and two fish are all we have here.” Then he said, “Bring them here to me,” and he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, he said the blessing, broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples, who in turn gave them to the crowds. They all ate and were satisfied, and they picked up the fragments left over – twelve wicker baskets full (Matthew 14:15-20).

See again that distinctive detail Matthew shares with us when Jesus saw the crowds who have followed him and his disciples to the other side of the lake: his heart was moved with pity for them, and he cured their sick. That is how great is the love of Jesus for each of us. He is always moved with pity which is more than a feeling but of actually doing something, even a miracle for us like in this scene in the wilderness.

Life is a wilderness. So vast and uncertain. But, lovely and beautiful. Not really august but grand and majestic, so difficult to explain, often ambiguous, largely mysterious. Even captivating. That is why it is always good to be alive even if life is difficult.

Last Thursday I officiated at the funeral Mass of another best friend from our minor (high school) seminary. In fact, Jonas was my classmate way back in second grade who partly inspired me to become a priest. He is my second best friend after Gil also from the seminary whom I have accompanied spiritually in life and at their deathbeds. Before going to his funeral at prayer in my room, I asked God if I would still have friends alive to attend my own funeral?

The mystery deepened after we have laid Jonas to his final resting place when a few hours later his mother-in-law – the mother of his widow – died too! Imagine the devastation to my friend’s wife who has not rested yet after taking care of him for a month in the hospital then her mother died too? And to their only child just starting her career as a medical doctor?

Many times Jesus teases us.

Or seduces us as the Prophet Jeremiah insisted on how God lured him to following him despite the many hurts and pains he had to go through but could not turn away from him because he had grown to loving him so much too.

Like the people who followed Jesus to the wilderness, we gather every Sunday to listen to his words and share in his Body and Blood because we have felt so empty in life that only him could fulfill us.

But, that is so easy to claim as we can readily profess our faith in God, in Jesus Christ but it is different when it is borne out of a wilderness experience like the disciples.

How many times have we felt like them thinking more of our selves than others when in a difficult situation, telling Jesus to send the people home because it was getting late and dark; most of all, so that they could get food for themselves?

It was easy for the crowd to just come to Jesus and think only of themselves but not with the disciples – like our parents, our kuya or ate, our superiors, or those people we look up to with responsibilities over us. That is why be kind with those in positions too. So easy to accuse them of their shortcomings and worst, to spread gossips when we do not realize the enormous weight they carry on their shoulders.

The equation becomes different and heaviest when Jesus tells us to “give them some food yourselves”. It is scary because at that moment Jesus asks us too of “what do you have” which we already knew beforehand as too little. Not enough. Just five loaves of bread and three pieces of fish.

Recall those moments you knew so well your limits, you capacity. And that’s when you start regretting why you have accepted the position or why have you volunteered at all or perhaps why become a priest or why got married?

Life is a wilderness that looks so lovely with its sunrise and sunsets but in between, it is so difficult. Because it is in the wilderness of this life when we truly come face to face with the harsh realities of our insecurities and inadequacies, scarcity and emptiness.

But Jesus shows us today that wilderness too becomes our grace-filled moment when he asks us to bring to him whatever little we have. It is the crucial point, turning point when we have to choose between turning to Jesus and trusting his instructions or retreating to our selves, to what we have or believing more to what the world offers.

Let us choose to radically believe in Jesus by surrendering to him whatever we have.

*Photo by Mr. Nicko Timbol, OLFU Campus Ministry, 25 October 2025.*

This is actually an extension of his question last Sunday, “Do you understand all these things?”

As we have reflected last week, to understand in Filipino is “maunawaan” from the root word “una” which is to be first. To understand the parables of the kingdom of heaven is to entrust ourselves to Jesus completely, to surrender even the little that we have, including our fears and insecurities.

That is why in the first reading God tells us through Isaiah to “come to him” to eat the true bread and drink true water fulfilled in Jesus Christ his Son. To understand all these things is to be convinced that in this life, only God suffices. He alone in Jesus Christ can fulfill our deepest desires and longings like peace and joy, love and hope, all the real reasons for living. Not things. Or even persons and relationships that do not last, often manipulative because not rooted in Christ.

This Sunday, let us not be ashamed of the little that we have, the worst that we have. For as long as we have Jesus, there is nothing that we cannot accomplish nor be fulfilled. St. Paul said so well in the second reading, nothing – not even death – can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord (Rom. 8:39). Amen. Have a blessed august month fulfilled in Christ!

Understanding the parables, getting close to Jesus

Lord My Chef Sunday Recipe for Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II
Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle A, 26 July 2026
1 Kings 3:5, 7-12 ><}}}*> Romans 8:28-30 ><}}}*> Matthew 13:44-52

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

We now come to the final installment of the last three parables by Jesus that began two Sundays ago that speak of the mystery of the kingdom of heaven, its unfolding and demands from us his disciples.

There are a total of seven parables in Matthew 13 known as discourse in parables which started with the parable of the sower until last Sunday where Jesus repeatedly told his listeners that included us today that “whoever has ears ought to hear”; now at its final installment, Jesus asks us after explaining everything, “Do you understand all these things?”

“Do you understand all these things?” They answered “Yes.” And he replied, “Then every scribe who has been instructed in the kingdom of heaven is like the head of a household who brings from the storeroom both the new and the old” (Matthew 13:51-52).

From the French word parabolein for “along the road/path”, parables are stories taken from daily life that offer us deep, profound lessons and realities especially about God and his loving presence among us, of the coming of his kingdom in Jesus Christ. Unfortunately, most of us dismiss them because they are so plain and simple. Or ordinary, not realizing that the deepest truths in life actually come from the simplest aspects of daily living. That is why Jesus kept reminding everyone to always listen, not just hear.

Listening is more intentional, deliberate and conscious, leading to understanding which is an internalization of the lessons and message said. Our Filipino translation shows this so well: to listen is makinig while to hear is madinig or marinig.

Makinig demands attention while dinig is passive, indicating more of the surface level of sounds and words, not really minding the meaning and context. That is why, listening is more reliable, more certain than hearing that has no intention of understanding at all what is meant by being said.

*Photo by author, “St. Joseph Protector of the Child Jesus”, 20 March 2024.*

Listening leads to knowing and understanding the what, where, when, how and why of events and things of the story or lessons. When there is understanding, relationship happens because more than the facts and details we listen to, we encounter persons. Pope Leo XIV beautifully said this in his first Lenten Message in February that “listening is the first sign of our willingness to enter into a relationship.”

Now we see the intention of Jesus in teaching in parables which is to have a personal relationship with us his listeners and disciples. Moreover, the very act of listening leading to understanding is a process of formation and transformation which is the bigger picture of Jesus teaching in parables – that we may be transformed in him especially when he asked today, “Do you understand all these things?”

Again, its Filipino translation reveals its true meaning and inner dynamics, Nauunawaan ba ninyo ang mga ito? To understand is maunawaan, from the root word una or first in order.

More than knowing, to understand or maunawaan is to realize which is the first of all others because that is the most essential, the most important. “To understand all these things” is not a question of human intelligence that is often short and lacking, and unreliable. “To understand all these things” is a spiritual intelligence, of the humble and lowly, the child-like whom Jesus praised the other week in our weekday gospel (15th week, Wednesday, 15 July 2026, Mt.11:25-27).

Jesus asks us this Sunday “do you understand all these things” to stress that the kingdom of heaven which is actually the person of Christ himself is a treasure beyond price like that treasure found by a man in the field or that precious pearl a trader had found that we are willing to renounce everything to have and possess him!

Understanding the parables of Jesus is finding “God first” before anything or anybody else. In the first reading, we find why King Solomon is the wisest person of all because when asked by God for any gift, he asked for “an understanding heart to judge your people and to distinguish right from wrong” (1Kings 3:9) which delighted God so much. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom indeed!

God is the first One we must always desire, think and search in life. Without God, we only come in vicious circles of addictions and emptiness and meaninglessness. It is no surprise at all that the most corrupt and vicious people are also the ones who disregard God, who live as if there is no eternity. Without God, we are reduced to mere creatures meant to just eat and survive. Nothing else. That is why some people do not mind at all looking stupid (mukhang tanga at tunay na tanga), without any self respect because only matter matters for them like money (mukhang pera) and things like power or popularity.

With God, we find meaning and direction in everything in life as St. Paul tells us in the second reading, “Brothers and sisters: We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose” (Rom. 8:28).

*Photo by author, flower of a Balibago Tree, Anvaya Cove Resort, Bataan, 21 July 2026.*

“All things”… including trials and tribulations for they make us stronger and better persons. When we look back to our past, we see there are more things we have to be thankful to God than be sorry and have regrets. Many times, our past failures and sufferings and tears have become our gateway to our victory and comfort and joy.

Understanding the parables of Jesus and of life in general is actually a movement into getting closer to Christ, of being “every scribe who has been instructed in the kingdom of heaven is like the head of a household who brings from the storeroom both the new and the old” (Mt. 13:52).

Here we find the coming into full circle of Christ’s discourse in parables: from listening to understanding which is a process of communion and oneness with the Master, Jesus whose very Person is the kingdom of heaven.

Looking back to these past three Sundays of listening and understanding the various parables of Jesus, we find a remarkable stage in his teachings that bring us closest to him, leading us for the next route of his itinerary which is actually an inner journey into our hearts where he alone dwells. Amen. A blessed week ahead of listening and understanding Jesus among the people we meet and happenings we experience.

*Happy Feast Day to all Lolos and Lolas for today is the feast of Sts. Joachim and Anne, parents of the the Blessed Virgin Mary, grandparents of Jesus Christ.

“Change the World” (1996) by Eric Clapton

Lord My Chef Sunday Music by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II, 19 July 2026

*Photo by author, San Juan, La Union, 09 January 2026.*

Our readings this Sunday are so lovely and refreshing, yet so true and realistic with what’s happening around us. Jesus Christ’s parable of weeds among the wheat proves what we have already known as we aged – “we live in an imperfect world, that there will always be diseases and sickness, failures and death along with scammers and criminals, liars and idiots, suckers and ungrateful and traitors among us” (https://lordmychef.com/2026/07/18/our-inexpressible-groanings/).

And yes, we all want to change the world but God cautions us because many times, the solution we find to life’s and world’s many problems create bigger problems:

But though you are master of might, you judge with clemency, and with much lenience you govern us; for power, whenever you will, attends you. And you taught your people, by these deeds, that those who are just must be kind; and you gave your children good ground for hope that you would permit repentance for their sins (Wisdom 12:18-19).

It is a very tall order, most difficult of all, calling us to become holy and patient like God because any change in the world has to start in our selves. That is why we remember this Sunday Eric Clapton’s version of that 1996 collaboration by Tommy Sims, Gordon Kennedy and Wayne Kirkpatrick “Change the World.”

According to Kennedy, they wrote the lyrics and music to “Change the World” over a span of one year. It was first recorded by country singer Wynonna Judd in February 1996 then by Clapton in October of the same year with the famous R&B artist Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds as producer when the song was chosen as soundtrack music to the movie Phenomenon starring John Travolta. Aside from winning accolades from critics and awards including the 1997 Grammy for Song of the Year, Record of the Year, and Best Male Pop Vocal Performance, “Change the World” is also one of Clapton’s best-selling hit in his entire career.

It is the music and melody of “Change the World” that is most captivating of all – soulful and reverberates deep inside any lover so in love with a woman to which Clapton has always been so famous (or notorious) like his 1971 hit “Layla” but on a different level and genre. “Change the World” is closer to Clapton’s “Tears in Heaven” which he composed after the death of his four year-old son in 1991. Both songs represent for us a new character and dimension in Clapton unfolding as one of music’s foremost forces up to this time.

Clapton’s distinctive guitar-playing virtuoso in “Change the World” echoes so St. Paul’s words in this Sunday’s second reading of how the Holy Spirit within us “intercedes with inexpressible groanings” (Rom. 8:26); according to St. Paul, we do not know how to pray which is so true that is why it is the Spirit who helps us pray to God. It means that God knows so well what’s going on inside us, when we are so loss for words not only in expressing our feelings and desires but most often, we could not even understand why things are going on – like the trials and difficulties we go through, the injustices that happen.

Many times we are tempted to ask where is God amid all these sufferings we go through in life as individuals and as a nation; but, we know deep in our hearts, God is with us, within us and knows so well everything that is happening. And he is in complete control.

That is why we sigh or groan when we could not contain what’s inside us, just like Clapton’s somber yet so relaxingly confident guitar bass lines in “Change the World” he had divinely woven with the lyrics that express wishful longings of him getting better, being the best person for his beloved.

If I could reach the stars
Pull one down for you
Shine it on my heart
So you could see the truth

That this love I have inside
Is everything it seems
But for now I find
It's only in my dreams

And I can change the world
I will be the sunlight in your universe
You would think my love was really something good
Baby, if I could change the world

If I could be king
Even for a day
I'd take you as my queen
I'd have it no other way

And our love would rule
In this kingdom we have made
'Til then I'd be a fool
Wishing for the day

And I can change the world
I would be the sunlight in your universe
You would think my love was really something good
Baby, if I could change the world
Baby, if I could change the world

I could change the world
I would be the sunlight in your universe
You would think my love was really something good
Baby, if I could change the world
Baby, if I could change the world
Baby, if I could change the world

Even the music video evokes the parable of weeds among the wheat, of how Clapton remains undisturbed by the crowd in the terminal while singing, reminding us that changing the world begins in our being changed first into our best person as more loving, more kind, more patient. Have a blessed week ahead!

From YouTube.com.

Our inexpressible groanings

Lord My Chef SundayRecipe for Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II
Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle A, 19 July 2026
Wisdom 12:13, 16-19 ><))))*> Romans 8:26-27 ><))))*> Matthew 13:24-43

Before reflecting on the second set of parables by Jesus this Sunday, let us take a brief stop at the very short second reading from St. Paul’s Letter to the Romans; it is so lovely and we cannot resist reflecting on the word “groaning” by the great Apostle.

Last Sunday, St. Paul said “We know all creation is groaning in labor pains even until now… we also groan within ourselves as we await for adoption, the redemption of our bodies” (Rom. 8:22,23). And then this Sunday, he spoke again of “groaning”:

Brothers and sister: The Spirit comes to the aid of our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes with inexpressible groanings. And the one who searches hearts knows what is the intention of the Spirit, because he intercedes for the holy ones according to God’s will (Romans 8:26-27).

To groan or to sigh according to Mr. Webster is a deep, prolonged sound made involuntarily in response to pain, grief or frustration. We have a very picturesque translation of those words in Filipino which is magbuntung-hininga that many of our old folks frowned upon because it is a sign of surrendering, of giving up.

*Photo by author, St. Michael Retreat House, Antipolo City, 16 June 2026.*

Is it bad? Not at all. Even Jesus sighed at the disbelief among the Jews with him (Mk.8:12). To groan, to sigh is to be fully human and even Christian if we go by the line of thought of St. Paul last week and this Sunday.

Groaning for him is the most profound spiritual response to brokenness. That is why I love our Filipino word magbuntung-hininga that evokes an image of digging deep inside – halukayin – for breath to breathe and forge on in life. It is like gulping a handful of air to breathe before taking a plunge or meeting head on a difficult situation in life. It is actually a kind of spirituality, an expression of holiness of surrendering everything to God, of letting go and letting God.

St. Paul spoke of three kinds of groaning: the first two we heard last Sunday, creation groaning and believers groaning as we have cited earlier. Creation groaning means the world is subject to decay while Christians groan inwardly, bearing all pains and hardships in clear hopes of redemption in Christ.

This Sunday, St. Paul spoke anew of “inexpressible groaning”, of sighing because it is too deep for words that the Holy Spirit within us is doing all the expressions of our deepest feelings. It is the one fact of life we often forget when in deep trials and tribulations: that the Holy Spirit is already within us in all our weaknesses. Actually, we do not have to come before God with perfect words, clear thoughts or settled hearts when praying because he knows everything we are going through. Simply be still for God is with us.

And this my friends is the very meaning of Jesus Christ’s second set of parables this Sunday, the weeds among the wheat.

Jesus proposed another parable to the crowds, saying: “The kingdom of heaven may be likened to a man who sowed good seed in his field. While everyone was asleep his enemy came and sowed weeds all through the wheat, and then went off. When the crop grew and bore fruit, the weeds appeared as well… His slaves said to him, ‘Do you want us to go and pull them up?’ He replied, “No, if you pull up the weeds you might uproot the wheat along with them. Let them grow together until harvest; then at harvest time I will say to the harvesters, “First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles for burning; but gather the wheat into my barn” (Matthew 13:24-26, 28-30).

We live in an imperfect world, of weeds growing among the wheat. There will always be diseases and sickness, failures and death along with scammers and criminals, liars and idiots, suckers and ungrateful and traitors among us. Add to these all the other woes we have in life like that ongoing war in the Middle East that have kicked up gas prices so high like drones and missiles. Hayyyy…!

And we ask, where is God?

How could God allow all these things to happen like when a poor, hardworking motorcycle taxi rider in Caloocan City trying to make ends meet died after being stabbed with an ice pick then robbed by his passenger still at large?

We wonder as a nation how long do we have to bear all the stupidities and idiosyncrasies of those corrupt, evil people in government even in the church when the majority of us have to suffer at the consequences of their excesses and abuses?

The author of the Book of Wisdom reflected on these realities thousands of years ago and had asked the same questions we ask today. He invites us to prayerfully reflect God’s goodness and kindness:

But though you are master of might, you judge with clemency, and with much lenience you govern us; for power, whenever you will, attends you. And you taught your people, by these deeds, that those who are just must be kind; and you gave your children good ground for hope that you would permit repentance for their sins (Wisdom 12:18-19).

*Photo by author, Carmel of the Holy Family Monastery, Guiguinto, Bulacan, 21 January 2026.*

Despite the weeds – the evil men and women who seem to always prevail – the author of Wisdom in his reflections reminds us to be like God, “the just must be kind.”

It is a very tall order, even difficult but we have to give it a chance because we have seen and proven that many times our human response to the evils and injustices happening end up becoming more brutal like the wars happening right now. Many times, human solutions actually create bigger problems.

That is why all three readings this Sunday tell us to be patient, to dive deeper in prayer where the Holy Spirit enlightens us clearly.

*Photo from inquirer.net, Pandacan Church fire, 11 July 2020.*

We have seen and experienced in recent years that indeed, “where sin increased, grace abounded all the more” (Rom. 5:20) like with those two good men in the NBI testifying at the impeachment of the Vice-President or of that most decent lawyer from Cebu, Atty. Amando Virgil Ligutan smashing all the lies and grandstanding of her lawyers. Every day we experience grace after grace of deliverance from all dangers through people including strangers who have helped us kindly.

That is why we have to go back to this Sunday’s second reading where St. Paul reminds us that even when we cannot say what is happening within us, the Holy Spirit is praying in us and for us. There are more things happening in us that we have to be thankful with than be sorry or complain about.

Let go of all those negative feelings and thoughts; life is already difficult, don’t make it harder. Instead, may we come to Jesus and learn from him to be patient like God who “gave us good ground for hope that you would permit repentance for their sins” (Wis.12:19).

Let us cultivate our hearts – the field where the seeds are sown that despite the weeds they shall still bear fruit with good works and peace for everyone.

Our classes in the University have begun recently; every time I celebrate Mass with our students, I always remind them these things which I hope may help you too: study hard, work harder, pray hardest. May you have a Holy Spirit-filled week ahead. Amen.

“Sowing the Seeds of Love” (1989) by Tears for Fears

Lord My Chef Sunday Music by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II, 12 July 2026

*Photo by Dra. Eunice A. Vergara, MD, in Victoria, Laguna 19 October 2021.*

It’s a gloomy, cold “bed weather” following the exit yesterday of typhoon Inday that had spawned these rains flooding us in various parts of Metro Manila this Sunday. Gone were the days when rains meant farmers going out to their fields during this rainy season to plant and tend their crops. What we now have are commuters stranded everywhere!

How sad that our farmers are dwindling in number with their fields converted into malls and subdivisions, a very clear sign of how we have really missed the very parable of life of God’s superabundance amid our interconnectedness as persons with the environment that Matthew presents us in this Sunday’s gospel (https://lordmychef.com/2026/07/11/our-interconnectedness-in-gods-abundance-the-parable-of-life/).

And that is why we also remember the British duo Curt Smith and Roland Orzabal more known as Tears for Fears with their 1989 hit Sowing the Seeds of Love from their third studio album “The Seeds of Love” as the perfect match to this Sunday’s gospel.

Orzabal reportedly got the inspiration in writing Sowing the Seeds of Love while listening to a radio program about British folk song collector Cecil Sharp who had heard a gardener named Mr. John England singing a traditional English song called “The Seeds of Love” that eventually sparked an English folk song revival. Orzabal mentioned him – “Mister England” – in the ninth stanza “sowing the seeds of love”.

According to Orzabal, Sowing the Seeds of Love is their “most overtly political song” ever recorded. It came out two years after Margaret Thatcher had won in 1987 her third consecutive term in office as Britain’s Prime Minister, referring to her in the third stanza as the “Politician granny with your high ideals, have you no idea how the majority feels?”

Coincidentally in the same third stanza, Orzabal took a dig with his fellow musician Paul Weller with the line “Kick out the style, bring back the jam” as he felt Weller had abandoned his working class political outlook after leaving The Jam in October 1982 to form the The Style Council.

Actually, Sowing the Seeds of Love is “the gospel according to Tears for Fears”, just like their two other songs from that album “The Seeds of Love” – Woman in Chains and Advice for the Young at Heart we hope to feature someday in relation with our Sunday gospel reflections.

Sowing the Seeds of Love is an invitation like the Lord’s Parable of the Sower for us to open ourselves like the fertile ground to receive the “seed” – the Word – proclaimed daily in every Mass celebrated worldwide.

The “seeds of love” Jesus the Sower sowed in the parable are all good – fecund – and most of all, efficacious. Because it is from God, it surely bears fruit always if nurtured and cultivated well. If ever the seeds do not grow and not yield fruits, the problem is with the receiver, with the person who receives or rejects these seeds of love.

How amazing that Tears for Fears follow this line of thought even without mentioning (understandably) the name God in their song, inviting us to “open ourselves” to the seeds of love so that these may germinate and grow, eventually yield a harvest of peace, love and harmony among peoples in the world today.

But opening ourselves to the seeds of love does not merely mean receiving these idly; opening to the seeds of love calls for a lot of self-discipline and hard-work like forgetting one’s self by “Swallowing your pride” and ending “need and politics of greed with love” – exactly like what Jesus taught us these past weeks about discipleship, of forgetting one’s self to carry one’s own cross. Hence, we find too the song Sowing the Seeds of Love not only a gospel but also a parable in itself that mentions a lot of ordinary things we take for granted yet teach us a lot about the meaning of life.

Feel the pain, talk about it
If you're a worried man, then shout about it
Open hearts, feel about it
Open minds, think about it
Everyone, read about it
Everyone, scream about it
Everyone
Everyone, yeah, yeah
Everyone read about it, read about it
Everyone
Read it in the books, in the crannies and the nooks, there are books to read for us

Sowing the seeds of love
Sowing the seeds of love
We're sowing the seeds
Sowing the seeds
Sowing the seeds of love
We're sowing the seeds
Sowing the seeds of love
Sowing the seeds of love
Mr. England sowing the seeds of love

Time to eat all your words
Swallow your pride
Open your eyes
Time to eat all your words
Swallow your pride
Open your eyes

High time we made a stand
Time to eat all your words
And shook up the views of the common man
Swallow your pride
And the love train rides from coast to coast
Open your eyes
Every minute of every hour
I love a sunflower
Open your eyes
And I believe in love power
Open your eyes
Love power
Love power
Open your eyes

Sowing the seeds of love, seeds of love
Sowing the seeds
Sowing the seeds of love, the seeds of love
Sowing the seeds
Sowing the seeds
Sowing the seeds of love, seeds of love
Sowing the seeds of love, sowing the seeds
Sowing the seeds

An end to need
And the politics of greed
With love

Let’s get real this week, start working, sowing the seeds of love to experience Christ’s peace and loving presence among us. Amen. A blessed lovely week ahead of everyone!

From Youtube.com

Our interconnectedness in God’s abundance: the parable of life

Lord My Chef Sunday Recipe for Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II
Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle A, 12 July 2026
Isaiah 55:10-11 ><}}}}*> Romans 8:18-23 ><}}}}*> Matthew 13:1-23

Matthew’s opening lines in today’s gospel present us a beautiful image of God’s abundance we often take for granted just like the parables of Jesus that remind us of our interconnectedness as brothers and sisters.

On that day, Jesus went out of the house and sat down by the sea. Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat down, and the whole crowd stood along the shore. And he spoke to them at length in parable, saying: “A sower went out to sow” (Matthew 13:1-3).

For the next three Sundays beginning today, all our gospel readings are taken from this 13th chapter of Matthew known as the “Discourse in Parables” that forms one whole unit of the Lord’s teachings in parables.

From the French word parabolein or “along the way”, a parable is a simple story often taken from ordinary things and events in life that offers valuable lessons about life; but, because it is a story taken from ordinary things and events, a parable is often taken for granted.

Many times we only realize later that the most profound realities in life are those found in most ordinary like God who comes to us daily in simplest ordinary things and people and events we take for granted or even refuse to recognize.

Our Filipino word for parable which is talinghaga captures this very well. From the phrase natataling hiwaga that means “tied mystery”: tali is a rope or a tie that binds things together like mystery or hiwaga. Hence, we have talinghaga for parable that indicate how a mystery is tied with the ordinary and simple things and persons and events.

That is the purpose of Jesus in teaching us in parables: that we may learn to find the hidden truths and mysteries of life in the most ordinary things. His teaching in parables is a continuation as well as a deepening of his call to us last Sunday to “come to him and learn from him” so that we may find rest and fulfillment in him.

What I find amazing in our gospel scene this Sunday is how Jesus was by the shore of the Lake of Galilee yet, his parable is about the sower.

Why not narrate something about the life of fishermen or fish vendors?

Again, let us situate ourselves in Matthew’s opening line, “On that day, Jesus went out of the house and sat down by the sea.”

Imagine the scene, it was early morning, the sun had just risen, and people were starting to go about their usual lives when they heard Jesus teaching while seated on a boat perhaps owned by Peter. More than the parable of the sower itself, Matthew is showing us in this scene the very parable of our life that the whole world is God’s.

Every pilgrim to the Holy Land can attest to this unique beauty of the Lake of Galilee that is so lovely, so peaceful and yes, divine. It tells us of God’s superabundance in all of his creation, interconnecting us as brothers and sisters in him our Father.

This is the same parable and truth of life that God had spoken through the Prophet Isaiah in the first reading:

Thus says the Lord: Just as from the heavens the rain and snow come own and do not return there until they have watered the earth, making it fertile and fruitful, giving seed to the one who sows and bread to the one who eats, so shall my word be that goes forth from my mouth; my word shall not return to me void, but shall do my will, achieving the end for which I sent it (Isaiah 55:10-11).

Nothing happens by accident in life; God knows everything. And the good news is, he gives everything that is good like the sower. Not just the seeds but the bread we eat, the water we drink, even the very breath we breathe.

Moreover, there is the connectedness of everything in God’s superabundance like that of the rain and snow making the earth fertile and fruitful, giving seed to the sower so that there would be bread for everyone, even clothes to wear.

*Painting by Van Gogh, “The Sower on Sunset” from wikipedia.org.*

God is the Sower always coming to us, tending us, sowing us with seeds that are absolutely good. It does not really matter what kind of soil receives the seed that even the pathway becomes a conduit in feeding the birds of the air!

The seed is definitely good because God is good. In all instances where the seed had fallen, we find God the Sower himself moving in each step of our life. Observe how in this image of the sower moving from his home to his field, it shows us also the journey of the word and the purpose of God in our life. There is no problem with the seed that is so fecund and definitely efficacious as God had told Isaiah that “my word shall not return to me void, but shall do my will, achieving the end for which I sent it.”

If ever the word is not fruitful, it is due to our poor disposition as listeners or recipients. That is why St. Paul reminds us in the second reading of how we must responsibly be true to our call and role as disciples of Christ. It is a process we have to be patient but must be consistent. What we are working for is not just for this time or for one’s self or society or country: we have to see the whole reality of life from here to eternity in Christ’s work of salvation is for all. We are all interconnected so that whatever good we do will always bear fruit, “some a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold.”

This Sunday, in this beautiful scene by the Lake of Galilee, or right there on your comfortable seat or wherever you are, Jesus is asking, “where do I see myself in this wide picture and chain of events?” What have I done with the “word”, the “seed” Jesus had sown in me?

In this age of relativism worsened by social media that have blurred reality with algorithms manipulating the way we see and understand truth and reality, the more we have become empty and alienated from one’s self and one another despite the abundance of material things.

How sad that despite the worldwide connections we now have, the more we have been detached from each other, even from one’s self and ultimately from God so that indeed, many of us “look but do not see and hear but do not listen or understand” (v.13) because we have taken life in the ordinary things for granted. We live in Facebook or social media where everything has to be spectacular, even “imeldific” or at least, enhanced if not AI-generated. This Sunday, let’s get real. Enough with fakes and AI’s. Amen. Have a blessed, fruitful week ahead everyone!

Postscript to Jesus calling us, “come to me”

Quiet Storm by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II, 08 July 2026

It has been three days since Sunday when we heard Jesus calling us to “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for your selves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Mt.11:28-30).

It is one of the shortest and most memorable passage in the gospel but, how do we really come to Jesus in order to rest and feel light?

The good news is, it is Jesus who actually comes to us first, inviting us to come to him to find rest and feel light. Exactly like at the meeting of the Risen Lord and Thomas the Apostle eight days after Easter as narrated to us by John. You will recall that last Friday was the Feast of St. Thomas the Apostle (June 3) when I presented in my homily Caravaggio’s painting called The Incredulity of Thomas done in 1602. This is the second time I have used a painting by this renowned Italian painter said to be the favorite of the late Pope Francis too.

*Photo of painting by Caravaggio, “The Incredulity of Thomas” via wikipedia.commons.org.*

Thomas “refused” to believe the Apostles’ news to him that Jesus had risen, saying that “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger into the nail marks and put my hand into his side, I will not believe” (Jn.10:25).

Many times we are like Thomas, a Didymus, with a twin in life like doubt and certainty, belief and unbelief, darkness and light.

Like Thomas, we say unconsciously that “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger into the nail marks and put my hand into his side, I will not believe” (Jn.10:25) because it is when we are suffering, when we are in darkness, when we are in doubt when we truly search and long for God and Jesus.

It is not that Thomas nor we could not believe that Jesus had risen or doubted Christ at all; actually, Thomas believed in Jesus that is why he came on the eighth day to await the Lord’s coming in the same manner that we still pray despite our “doubts”.

Now a week later, his disciples were again inside and Thomas was with them. Jesus came, although the doors were locked, and stood in their midst and said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands, and bring your hand and put it into my side, and do not be unbelieving, but believe.” Thomas answered and said to him, “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:26-28)

See the artistry of Caravaggio in this painting, that characteristic play of light and darkness emanating from Jesus, illuminating Thomas and his elder Apostles Peter and John.

All darkness in life are diminished, even vanished completely when we bring everything and everyone in the light of Jesus Christ who comes to us to enlighten us, to illumine us from many darkness we go through in life like Thomas on that night of the eighth day of Easter.

But, there is more to the light of Christ that we can see in this Caravaggio painting.

Amid its stillness and silence, one could feel deeply Jesus Christ’s words last Sunday – come to me – echoed softly, personally, lovingly to Thomas. And to each one of us today.

John tells us that Jesus simply said to Thomas to “Put your finger here and see my hands, bring your hand and put it into my side, and do not be unbelieving, but believe.” Thomas answered and said to him, “My Lord and my God” (Jn.20:27-28).

Okay, fine… it is just my imagination or my contemplation that I heard Christ’s words last Sunday echoed in this scene, “come to me and I will give you rest” but, there is something so beautiful and deeply personal with Jesus in saying or implying those same words here. You can hear it so close, so near you, not from afar especially when you consider its Filipino translation of “Lumapit kayo sa akin” or the informal “Halikayo at lumapit sa akin” that both indicate a separation of even a few feet away from Jesus who is calling us.

See the proximity of the four people in this painting. That is how close Jesus gets to us whenever he comes to us, inviting us to come to him in order to find rest especially in those dark moments in our lives, when we feel hurt and abandoned. When we are so stressed out as seen in those wrinkles on the foreheads of the three apostles!

Contrast their images to the serenity of Jesus. Most of all, see also the hands of Jesus, of how his left hand with the nail wound visible moving aside his garment so that Thomas and his companions may see further his pierced side.

Whenever Jesus comes to us, calling us to come to him to show us his wounds from the cross to remind us that before all our pains and hurts came, he was there first to suffer and be wounded and died for us.

And he has come to us again, calling us to come to him because he had risen, assuring us that all our wounds like his will heal eventually! That is when we experience rest. And being light in life.

But, what I love most in this painting is the way Caravaggio depicted the Risen Lord holding the hand of Thomas while probing into his side wound:

How lovely! Caravaggio must be in the highest heaven when he painted this part.

Remember when Thomas dared to say unless he sees the nail marks in the Lord’s hands and put his hand at his side, he would not believe?

Jesus knew it so well not only with Thomas but with each one of us, of our being a Didymus, always with a twin of doubt so that he does not merely appear but touches us to experience deeply, personally his loving presence through his wounds.

See how Caravaggio depicted the left hand of Jesus again with the mark of nail holding the very hand of Thomas, directing his finger into his pierced side. You could feel the sure grip as well as gentleness of the Lord’s hand in leading the finger of Thomas into his pierced side wound. So dramatic as if it is not enough for Jesus to being present but most of all, experienced as closest at possible.

Jesus touches us always, literally and figuratively by holding our wounded selves to experience his wounded self too. He does not only call us in words but leads us with his total self.

Christ’s invitation for us to “come to him” remains personal and personalized. Not mass produced like what is happening these days where speed and reach are the main considerations, not the person.

While writing this piece yesterday, one of the blogs I follow came out with a new article exactly about last Sunday’s gospel scene, claiming that if God texts us today, these very words to “come to me” by Jesus would be his “text message” to us (https://thedevotionalguy.blog/2026/07/07/if-god-sent-you-a-text/).

I believe so. Because text messages have become the closest things we can have of anyone in these days of social media. However, if ever you receive that text message from Jesus, run outside to meet him personally for surely, he had come. Amen. God bless you.

“He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother” (1969) by The Hollies

Lord My Chef Sunday Music by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II, 05 July 2026
Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle A

*Photo by Ms. Marivic Tribiana on Facebook, 17 April 2020 following fire in Tondo,Manila*.

Our gospel this Sunday is short but one of the most loved words by our Lord Jesus Christ often quoted even in some popular songs and music: “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for your selves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30).

Everyday Jesus calls us to come to him, to learn from him, to experience lightness in life not heaviness of compulsion and duty as most people would think of his demands. However, it is not a kind of R&R we all aspire every weekend at the beach or a mountain resort. Christ calls us today to come to him and learn from him on how to have a steady, realistic, day-to-day approach to life lived in his company, lived in love for one another as brother and sister (https://lordmychef.com/2026/07/04/learning-from-jesus-2/).

And that is why we remembered and chose this beautiful song from 1969 by The Hollies, “He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother.”

...The road is long
With many a winding turn
That leads us to who knows where, who knows where
But I'm strong
Strong enough to carry him
He ain't heavy, he's my brother

… So on we go
His welfare is of my concern
No burden is he to bear
We'll get there

… For I know
He would not encumber me
He ain't heavy, he's my brother

Most captivating with this song is its opening music of a harmonica that stirs ones soul superbly balanced with a bass guitar that perfectly filled the rhythm and melody until Allan Clarke burst with the opening lines that give you a picture right away of the song meaning – love for one another as brothers and sisters.

Composed by Bobby Scott and Bob Russell who was then dying of lymphoma cancer, the song was recorder earlier by another American artist; The Hollies’ guitarist Tony Hicks heard it while searching for songs to record for their group. Hicks found the demo tape of Scott and Russell too slow, asked permission to make it a little upbeat by adding an orchestra with the young Elton John playing the piano. It became an instant hit both in Britain and the US, spawning other versions until now.

More than its beautiful music and lyrics, the ballad is so appealing because of its message of love. It is interesting to know that the phrase “he ain’t heavy, he is my brother” is the motto of the Boys Town children’s home founded in 1917 by Fr. Edward Flanagan in Omaha, Nebraska. The following year, Fr. Flanagan saw a boy carrying up a set of stairs another resident stricken with polio, wearing braces; Fr. Flanagan asked the boy if it was heavy and was told, “he ain’t heavy, Father; he is my brother.” The phrase got stuck and became the motto of Boys Town that inspired this beautiful song. (Pope Leo XIV recently declared Fr. Flanagan “Venerable” as his cause for beatification moves closer to realization.)

In today’s gospel, this is precisely the yoke Jesus is telling us that is his, light and easy: love. Everything becomes light when seen and done in love, with love. Without love, everything becomes heavy due to sadness; hence, the need for more love as the last three stanzas tell us with the long road ahead filled with more pains and sufferings.

… If I'm laden at all
I'm laden with sadness
That everyone's heart
Isn't filled with the gladness
Of love for one another

… It's a long, long road
From which there is no return
While we're on the way to there
Why not share?

… And the load
Doesn't weigh me down at all
He ain't heavy, he's my brother

… He's my brother
He ain't heavy, he's my brother
He ain't heavy, he's my brother

Amen. May you have a lighter week in Christ this week with this music.

From YouTube.com.