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Lord My Chef Daily Recipe for Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II Tuesday, Memorial of St. Leo the Great, Pope & Doctor of Church, 10 November 2026 Titus 2:1-8, 11-14 ><))))*> + ><))))*> + ><))))*> Luke 17:7-10
Teach me, Jesus, to serve you freely, without asking anything in return especially recognition because it is my mission, my response to your call as servant.
Jesus said to the Apostles: “Who among you would say to your servant who has just come in from plowing or tending sheep in the field, ‘Come here immediately and take your place at table’? would he not rather say to him, ‘Prepare something for me to eat’… Is he grateful to that servvant because he did what was commanded? So should it be with you. when you have done all you have been commanded, say, ‘We are unprofitable servants; we havve done what we are obliged to do’” (Luke 17:7-8,9-10).
In this world where being recognized in "likes" and "thumbs up" are the currencies to live even to exist, our praises and recognition have become so empty, even "cringy" because we know it is a mere show, an acting out or a hypocrisy for others to see; we have even become lost on how we want to be thanked because we are confused also of what is to serve with everyone keeping accounts on our every move like selfies and photos in social media.
Your faithful servant, St. Leo the Great whose memorial we celebrate today reminded us of our dignity especially while serving you, Jesus; serving and being loved and valued are not opposites but actually go hand in hand because true service leads to freedom - free to be one's self and express freely what one feels and believes, free from what others say or think that eventually fills us with joy in having experienced you Jesus in our service.
To serve freely, therefore, is simply to be good as St. Paul reminded Titus. And us today. Amen.
