Killing the “goose that laid the golden eggs”

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The Lord Is My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II
Tuesday, Memorial of St. Ignaitus of Antioch, Bishop & Martyr, 17 October 2023
Romans 1:16-25   ><}}}}*>  +  <*{{{{><   Luke 11:37-41

God our Father,
today I felt you tickled my bone
in prayer as your words reminded
me of one of Aesop's famous fable,
"The goose that laid the
golden egg", 
of how often we are like
the husband and wife owners 
of that Goose who foolishly 
slaughtered the poor bird 
only to find its inside 
was just like any other other
without any gold at all inside!

In killing the Goose,
they have deprived themselves
of their fortune.

Is it not the same thing
St. Paul is telling us today
as he had told the Romans before?

While claiming to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of immortal God for the likeness of a mortal man or of birds or of four-legged animals of snakes. Therefore, God handed them over to impurity through the lusts of their hearts for the mutual degradation of their bodies. They exchanged the truth of God for a lie and revered and worshipped the creature rather than the creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.

Romans 1:22-25

Forgive us, dear Father,
in "killing" you so often
in our unconscious subscription
to that most untrue and foolish
statement that "God is dead";
in continuously "crucifying"
Jesus your Son in exchange of
our perceived good like these
new, liberal thoughts about
sexuality and genders,
freedom and morals,
science and technology
that we so worship these days
than you!

We are like that Pharisee 
in today's gospel who pretend
to always invite Jesus into our lives
only to test him,
to catch lapses in his words
and teachings so we can lead
our lives the way we want it;
forgive us, dear Lord for
being so foolish!

Grant us the enlightenment
and courage you bestowed
upon St. Ignatius of Antioch
to remain faithful to you and your
Cross, Lord Jesus Christ,
bearing all pains and sacrifices
for the sake of your church unity
and for charity; let us heed his
words to the Romans before
dying at the Colosseum to 
"Do not talk about Jesus Christ
as long as you love this world."
Amen.

St. Ignatius of Antioch,
Pray for us!