Finding Jesus among our siblings

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Lord My Chef Daily Recipe for Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II
Wednesday in the Seventeenth Week of Ordinary Time, Year II
Memorial of Sts. Mary, Martha, and Lazarus, 29 July 2026
1 John 4:7-16     <*{{{{><  +  ><}}}}*>     John 11:19-27

Glory and praise 
to you, God our Father
for sending us your Son
Jesus Christ who continues
to come to us in various ways:
in nature,
in the events that happen to us
in our lives, both good and bad,
most especially 
in persons like our siblings
that this Memorial of 
Saints Mary, 
Martha
and Lazarus reminds us;
how lovely to remember
how our Lord Jesus
was described as very close
with the blessed sisters and brother
he frequently visited in their
home at Bethany.

We pray for all brothers and
sisters now living apart from
each other due to work
and marriage, raising a 
family of their own;
may they never forget each other
as siblings, "magkakapatid"
with invisible bonds that transcend
their physical separations;
keep them mindful of one
another, checking on each others
needs and well-being,
becoming your very presence 
in each other especially when
there is sickness and death:
Martha said to Jesus, 
"Lord, if you had been here,
my brother would not have died"
(John 11:21).

Like the blessed siblings
of Sts. Mary, Martha and Lazarus,
keep every brother and sister
open to your coming
and visits, Lord Jesus,
that are always in disguise;
make our hearts like theirs
filled with warmth and hospitality,
understanding and forgiveness
for each other so that you may stay
and reign in our hearts,
revealing the face of God
with one another;
most of all, Lord Jesus,
like the three holy sisters
and brother,
may we share 
your gift of kindness
of being a kin 
to everyone in you,
with you,
through you.
Amen.