Lord My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II Monday, Fifth Week in Ordinary Time, Year II, 09 February 2026 1 Kings 8:1-7, 9-13 <*((((>< + ><))))*> Mark 6:53-56
God our loving Father, your words today in the first reading and gospel are both quick-paced, everything seemed to happened so fast: the arrival and enthronement of the Ark of the Covenant in the Temple of Jerusalem and of people rushing to Jesus at Gennesaret after crossing the lake of Galilee. Both scenes are exactly like my life today - everything is happening so fast and I feel left behind, tired and exhausted; if I could just touch Jesus Christ's cloak to be healed, to be comforted, to be renewed.
When the priests left the holy place, the cloud filled the temple of the Lord so that the priests could no longer minister because of the cloud, since the Lord’s glory had filled the temple of the Lord. Then Solomon said, “The Lord intends to dwell in the dark cloud; I have truly built you a princely house, a dwelling where you may abide forever” (1Kings 8:10-13).
The dark clouds remain above me, Jesus and thank you for staying, for remaining in me; thank you, Jesus, for being close to us, for allowing yourself to be interrupted by our many concerns that we can touch you like in Genessaret where people lived freely and joyfully regardless of their faith and culture as they were simply present in each moment like when you crossed over the lake and allowed yourself to be interrupted even led by them; teach me to be true to myself like those in Genessaret expressing to you my desires not just what I want; let me be present with you as you are present in me each day. Amen.
