God in light & shadows

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Lord My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul, 18 July 2025
Friday in the Fifteenth Week of Ordinary Time, Year I
Exodus 11:10-12:14     <'[[[[>< + ><]]]]'>     Matthew 12:1-8

How lovely are your words
today, O God,
on this dark, rainy Friday
with many light and shadows
that show life's many contrasts
with you still remaining 
with us,
in us,
and among us.

Although Moses and Aaron performed these various wonders in Pharaoh’s presence, the Lord made Pharaoh obstinate, and he would not let the children of Israel leave his land (Exodus 11:10).

You know everything,
dear God that is why you
set the stage for the first passover
at "evening twilight" just in time
for the people to see the light
of freedom in you;
you sometimes allow storms
to happen but 
you already have
provisions for us
beforehand:

Jesus was going through a field of grain on the sabbath. His disciples were hungry and began ton pick the heads of grain and eat them (Matthew 12:1).

What a beautiful contrast
is today's gospel!

How did it happen
the Twelve were hungry
while with Jesus
who had fed more than
5000 people with just five
loaves of bread and two pieces
of fish?

Right there under
the glaring light
and heat of the sun
on a Sabbath
when you "fed" on the Twelve
with grains in the field;
moreover,
when criticized by your
enemies,
you defended the Twelve!

You are a God of
mystery, Jesus!
Truly "greater than
the temple" for you are
the Christ,
the Son of God
who became human like us
to show us you are with us,
in us,
and among us
when everything seems
so dark or so bright
that may blind our sights;
incline our hearts to you, Jesus
who "desires mercy,
not sacrifices"
 so that when we grapple
in light and shadows,
it is solely you whom we hold on.
Amen.

Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II
Our Lady of Fatima University
Valenzuela City