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Lord My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II Monday, First Week in Ordinary Time, Year II, 12 January 2026 1 Samuel 1:1-8 <*((((>< + ><))))*> Mark 1:14-20
After John had been arrested, Jesus came to Galilee proclaiming the Gospel of God: “This is the time of fulfillment. The Kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the Gospel” (Mark 1:14-15).
Thank you dear Jesus for this brand new week, for this start of Ordinary Time in our liturgical calendar; how wonderful to remind us it is the time of fulfillment, of completion and wholeness in you, O Lord because it is only in you lies our fulfillment.
Teach us to open our hearts and souls to your call, Jesus like the brothers Peter and Andrew, James and John, your first disciples; was it really that quick and easy for them to leave everything behind including the father of James and John just to follow you? Yes, dear Jesus, like them, we felt incredulous and even fearful with your call, not only last year but even this year; in fact, as we begin our Ordinary Time this Monday, the more I felt your calling continues everyday because without you we shall never be complete.
Like Hannah, our lives will never be complete and fulfilled without having you that may take several forms like a child for Hannah; many times Lord we wonder why we cannot have what we are specifically praying for like Hannah who has become a subject of ridicule by others for being barren and childless; but, inasmuch as your call continues for us, then you hereby assure us too of your continuing works in our many deficiencies if we can only be patient and persevering in you in awaiting your calls. Amen.
