Thanks be to God!

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The Lord Is My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II
Thursday, Memorial of St. Maria Faustina Kowalska, Virgin, 05 October 2023
Nehemiah 8:1-4, 5-6, 7-12   <[[[[>< + ><]]]]'>   Luke 10:1-12

Every day we tell you,
dear Father,
"thanks be to God!"
but what do we really
thank you for?

More than the gift of life,
the joy of a wonderful morning,
or when the universe simply
aligns with us that we get 
what we prayed for,
what we worked for,
and what we like most
is the fact that you,
O God,
is speaking clearly
to us,
that you love us,
that you have forgiven us,
that you believe in us
as you send us forth to a 
mission.

How beautiful to read 
Nehemiah's account today
when your people after getting
back to Jerusalem from their
long exile in Babylon heard
anew your words proclaimed
from the Sacred Scriptures,
many cried even wept
because you have spoken to them
anew; how sad these days
we take your words for granted,
O God, after being proclaimed
in the Mass; many say "thanks
be to God" without realizing
its deep meaning,
its incomparable joy
of hearing your words
again, God.

Let us love your words,
O God; let us immerse ourselves
in your words found in the
scriptures to cleanse us of
our impurities and see 
one another as brother
and sister in you our Father;
most of all, let us open ourselves
to your word who became flesh,
Jesus Christ, and be transformed
to enflesh your words in this world
so empty of meaning
and direction,
most especially of peace.

Let us listen to your words
always, dear God,
 and be witnesses of
your speaking to us.
Amen.