Gospel Reading for July 08, 2025 – Matthew 9: 32-38
NEVER GIVE UP AND JUST FOCUS
A demoniac who could not speak was brought to Jesus, and when the demon was driven out the mute man spoke. The crowds were amazed and said, “Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel.” But the Pharisees said, “He drives out demons by the prince of demons.” Jesus went around to all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom, and curing every disease and illness. At the sight of the crowds, his heart was moved with pity for them because they were troubled and abandoned, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest.”
————
There will be people like the Pharisees who will say discouraging things and even insult us; people the devil will use to weaken our resolve. It is always best to ignore them and not let them triumph over good. If there are those we should not ignore, it is the people who are in need – those troubled and abandoned like sheep without a shepherd. Jesus shows us how it is to be a laborer for his harvest: to NEVER GIVE UP AND JUST FOCUS on the mission. He assures us that he will always be with us through the Holy Spirit.
Let us ponder on this hymn written by Crosby and Doane, RESCUE THE PERISHING –
Rescue the perishing,
care for the dying.
Snatch them in pity from sin
and the grave;
Weep o’er the erring one;
Lift up the fallen;
Tell them of Jesus the mighty to save.
Rescue the perishing,
Care for the dying;
Jesus is merciful,
Jesus will save.
Though they are slighting Him,
still He is waiting;
Waiting the penitent child to receive;
Plead with them earnestly,
Plead with them gently;
He will forgive if they only believe.
Down in the human heart,
Crushed by the tempter,
Feelings lie buried that grace can restore;
Touched by a loving heart,
Wakened by kindness,
Chords that are broken
will vibrate once more.
Rescue the perishing;
Duty demands it;
Strength for thy labor the Lord will provide;
Back to the narrow way,
patiently win them;
Tell the poor wand’rer a Savior has died.
Lord My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul, 08 July 2025
Tuesday in the Fourteenth Week of Ordinary Time, Year I
Genesis 32:23-33 <*((((>< + ><))))*> Matthew 9:32-38
Photo from wikipedia.org, “Jacob Wrestling with the Angel” by Leon Bonnat (French, d.1922).
Once again,
you challenge us O Lord
to get closer to you like
the readings yesterday;
but, this time much, much
closer like in wrestling.
Jacob was left there alone. Then some man wrestled with him until the break of dawn. When the man saw saw that he could not prevail over him, he struck Jacob’s hip at its socket, so that the hip socket was wrenched as they wrestled. The man then said, “Let me go, for it is daybreak.” But Jacob said, “I will not let you go until you bless me.” Then the man said, “You shall no longer be spoken of as Jacob, but as Israel, because you have contended with divine and human beings and have prevailed” (Genesis 32:25-27, 29).
How I love this scene,
God most powerful yet
so loving,
so engaging,
always inviting us to a wrestling
but nobody would dare
not because we are afraid of you
but more because of pride -
we do not want to lose,
we always want to be on top,
always in control
even with you,
O God;
remind us always,
Lord,
that every fight
we have in this life is
already assured of victory in you.
At the sight of the crowds, his heart was moved with pity for them because they were troubled and abandoned, like sheep without a shepherd (Matthew 9:36).
Like that Angel
wrestling with Jacob,
you finally wrestle with us
in your Son Jesus Christ
who became truly human like us;
and like your Angel at Peniel,
humans prevailed over you,
Lord;
your heart
is always moved
with pity,
stirred
to bow down
to us from your immense
love and mercy;
we are all Jacob,
Israel who prevailed over you
not because we are stronger
but because we believe
and rely only on you, Lord.
Let us pick up your fight,
Jesus;
let us not be proud
and be humble
to wrestle with you
because whether we win
or lose our battles in life,
we still prevail
for after every fight
and struggle,
we are transformed
into a better person
in you,
O most loving
Jesus.
Amen.
Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II
Our Lady of Fatima University
Valenzuela City
Photo by author, Chapel of St. Francis Xavier, Sacred Heart Novitiate, March 2024.
Mga Kapanalig, inanunsyo ng Department of Labor and Employment (o DOLE) na magkakaroon ng dagdag na ₱50 sa arawang minimum wage sa Metro Manila. Ayon sa National Wages and Productivity Commission, ang halagang ito ay napagkasunduan upang balansehin ang pangangailangan ng mga pamilyang Pilipino at ang kakayahan ng mga employers na magpasahod.
Epektibo ang bagong dagdag sa sahod simula Hulyo 18. Tinatayang 1.2 milyong minimum wage workers sa Metro Manila ang makikinabang dito. Para sa mga non-agricultural na manggagawa sa NCR, tataas mula ₱645 hanggang ₱695 ang kanilang arawang sahod. Para naman sa mga nagtatrabaho sa sektor ng agrikultura dito sa Metro Manila, sa maliliit na retail establishments na may 15 o mas kaunting empleyado, at sa mga manufacturing establishments na may regular na 10 o mas kaunting manggagawa, tataas mula ₱608 hanggang ₱658 ang kanilang arawang sahod.
Mas mataas ito kaysa sa dagdag na ₱35 na ibinigay noong Hulyo 2024. Tanggap ng ilang labor groups ang dagdag na ito, pero kulang pa rin daw. Dahil sa patuloy na pagtaas ng presyo ng mga bilihin sa NCR, ang ₱50 ay “drop in the bucket”, gapatak lang kung tutuusin. Paulit-ulit nilang ipinananawagan: ang kailangan ay living wage, isang sahod na sapat para sa mga pangangailangan ng mga manggagawa at ng kanilang pamilya. Hindi raw uubra ang paunti-unting dagdag. Ang kailangan ay malawakan at makabuluhang pagbabago, at hindi lang para sa mga mga manggagawa sa Metro Manila kundi para sa lahat ng manggagawa sa bansa.
Ayon sa mga panlipunang turo ng ating Simbahan, “a just wage must not be below the level of subsistence of the worker.” Kung gusto nating malaman kung makatarungan ang sahod, itanong natin: may masustansya at sapat bang pagkain sa mesa ng mga pamilya? May pambayad ba sila ng upa? May pambaon at pamasahe ba para sa kanilang mga nag-aaral na anak? Kung ang sagot ay hindi, o kung ang mga ito ay napakahirap makamit, malinaw na hindi living wage ang natatanggap nila.
Kailangan nating seryosohin ang pagsusuri sa kasalukuyang sistema ng pasahod. Paano ba natin tunay na pinahahalagahan ang manggagawang Pilipino? Kukmbaga sa katawan ng tao, gulugod ng ating ekonomiya ang mga manggagawa. Pero kadalasan, sila rin ay pinakaapektado ng pagtaas ng presyo ng mga bilihin.
Sana naman, ang ₱50 na dagdag sa minimum wage sa Metro Manila ay hindi maging bitin o panandaliang ginhawa, kundi magsilbing senyales na unti-unti nang pinakikinggan ng gobyerno ang kanilang boses. Sana, hudyat ito na kinikilala talaga na ang makatarungang sahod ay mahalaga para sa isang buhay na may dignidad.
Paalala sa atin ng Mga Kawikaan 3:27, “Ang kagandahang-loob ay huwag ipagkait sa kapwa, kung ika’y may kakayahan na ito ay magawâ.” Malaki ang papel ng ating mga mambabatas sa pagkamit ng makatarungang sahod. Noong 19th Congress, nakita man nila ang pangangailangan para sa wage hike, hindi pa rin naipasá bilang batas ang panukalang dagdag na ₱100 hanggang ₱200 sa sahod.
Ngayon, sa pagbubukas ng 20th Congress, muling inihain ng ilang mambabatas ang iba’t ibang bersyon ng wage hike bill. Sa pagkakataong ito, sana hindi malimutan ng ating mga kinatawan at ng ehekutibo—sa pangunguna ng pangulo—ang mga manggagawang Pilipino. Matagal nang hinihingi ng mga manggagawa ang umento sa sahod para sa lahat, at panahon na para ito ay pakinggan at tugunan.
Mga Kapanalig, ang ₱50 na dagdag ay magandang hakbang, pero hindi ito dapat maging huli. Dapat tayong magpatuloy sa panawagan para sa sahod na sapat, makatao, at marangal. Bawat manggagawa ay karapat-dapat sa sahod na hindi lang pantustos sa araw-araw na gastusin, kundi nakatutulong sa pag-angat ng kanilang buhay.
Mga Kapanalig, noong nakaraang Lunes ay nagsimula na ang termino ng mga nanalo sa nakaraang eleksyon. Maraming mga opisyal—mula sa mga senador hanggang sa mga gobernador, mayor, at konsehal—ang nanumpa sa pasinaya ng kanilang termino.
Unahin natin ang mga senador. Sa pagsisimula ng termino ng labindalawang bagong senador, naghain din sila ng kani-kanilang priority bills.
Si Senador Erwin Tulfo ay nagpanukala sa pag-review sa Rice Tarrification Law. Layon niyang bigyan muli ang National Food Authority ng kapangyarihan na bumili o mag-angkat ng bigas sa mga lokal na magsasaka upang maibenta ito sa mas murang presyo. Naghain din siya ng sarili niyang bersyon ng National Land Use Act.
Ipinanukala naman ni Senador Bam Aquino ang E-textbook Act na hangad bigyan ng mas malawak at libreng access ang mga guro at mag-aaral sa mga textbooks ng DepEd sa pamamagitan ng internet.
Si Senador Tito Sotto naman ay naghain ng mga panukalang batas katulad ng People’s Freedom of Information Bill at Anti-False Content and Fake News Bill.
Nagsimula na rin ang mga local chief executives sa kani-kanilang mga bayan at lungsod.
Sa kanyang huling termino, nangako si Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto na ipagpapatuloy niya ang kanyang good governance agenda, na layuning tanggalin ang korapsyon sa kanilang lokal na pamahalaan at magpatupad ng mga patakarang nakatutulong sa mga taga-Pasig.
Sa kanyang unang termino bilang bagong alkalde ng Naga City, patakaran din ni dating Vice President Leni Robredo na alisin ang korapsyon sa pamamagitan ng pagtanggal ng mga confidential funds, transparent procurement, at regularisasyon ng mga kawani ng Naga LGU. Sa mga paraang ito, nais niyang maging mabilis at mabisa ang paghahatid ng serbisyo publiko sa mga taga-Naga.
Sana all!
Talagang kapanapanabik ang panibagong termino ng ating mga pambansa at lokal na mga opisyal. Sa isang banda, ang pagpapakitang-gilas na ito ng mga nanalo noong eleksyon ay isang magandang tanda ng kasabikan sa paglilingkod. Sa kabilang banda, isa ring matinding pananagutan para sa kanila ang kanilang mga pangako. Ang tanong o ang hamon natin sa kanila ngayon ay: “Magagampanan o maisasakatuparan niyo ba ang lahat ng inyong mga ipinangako?”
Pinaaalalahanan tayo ng ating mahal na Inang Simbahan na tayo ay may responsabilidad na makilahok sa pamamahala. Sinabi ni Saint Pope John Paul II sa Centessimus Annus na pinahahalagahan ng Simbahan ang demokrasya sa punto na ang mga mamamayan ay nakikibahagi sa mga gampaning pulitikal at sa pagpapanagot ng kanilang mga inihalal na pinuno.
Sa yugtong ito ng ating kasaysayan at pulitika, mahalaga na tayong mga mamamayan ay hindi lang mga tambay katulad ni Juan Tamad na naghihintay na lang na bumagsak ang mga bunga para makakain. Hindi! Inaasahan tayo ng Simbahan at ng ating bayan na kumilos. Panagutin natin ang ating mga lider kapag sila ay umaabuso sa kapangyarihan at ginagamit sa mali ang pondo ng bayan. Makipagtulungan tayo sa pagpapatupad ng programa at patakarang tunay na pakikinabangan ng taumbayan. Taimtim din nating ipanalangin sila para maging mga mabubuting lider ng ating bayan.
Mga Kapanalig, ang ating mga pinuno ay mga katiwala. Ang kanilang paglilingkod ay bunga ng tiwala at pag-asa ng publiko sa kanilang mga kakayahan, hangarin, at programa. Sa kanilang pagsisimula, atin silang suportahan at panagutin sa kanilang tungkulin. Nawa’y maging tiwala at hindi katiwalian ang manaig sa kanilang puso sa paglilingkod sa Diyos at bayan. Umaasa ang Diyos sa kanila, bilang Kanya ring katiwala, na, ayon nga sa Lucas 16:10-12, “ang tapat sa kakaunti ay tapat din naman sa marami at ang di-tapat sa kakaunti ay di rin naman tapat sa marami.” Public office is public trust. Ka-tiwala, hindi ka-tiwali!
Gospel Reading for July 07, 2025 – Matthew 9: 18-26
“GOD ALONE SUFFICES”
While Jesus was speaking, an official came forward, knelt down before him, and said, “My daughter has just died. But come, lay your hand on her, and she will live.” Jesus rose and followed him, and so did his disciples. A woman suffering hemorrhages for twelve years came up behind him and touched the tassel on his cloak. She said to herself, “If only I can touch his cloak, I shall be cured.” Jesus turned around and saw her, and said, “Courage, daughter! Your faith has saved you.” And from that hour the woman was cured.
When Jesus arrived at the official’s house and saw the flute players and the crowd who were making a commotion, he said, “Go away! The girl is not dead but sleeping.” And they ridiculed him. When the crowd was put out, he came and took her by the hand, and the little girl arose. And news of this spread throughout all that land.
————
The very humble official, who knelt before the son of a carpenter, believed that his daughter who had just died, would live with just the touch of Jesus’ hand. A woman suffering hemorrhages for twelve years believed she would get healed by just touching Jesus’ cloak. And so, the things happened as they believed. Jesus never attributed the healing of persons to his power. He always attributed their healing to their Faith.
One thing we have to realize though, is that to have TRUE FAITH, the one that can move mountains, we need to be humble. We need to recognize that we are truly in need and “GOD ALONE SUFFICES” as St. Teresa of Avila wrote. When we believe in God, we need nothing more; we have everything we need!
Lord My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul, 07 July 2025
Monday in Fourteenth Week of Ordinary Time, Year I
Genesis 28:10-22 <*((((>< + ><))))*> Matthew 9:18-26
Photo by author, Mount Sinai, May 2019.
If.
A conjunction so short
we often use to express
a condition or a supposition,
expressing something not certain
like when we say,
"If it rains, then we stay."
But today, dear God, you taught me
another dimension of this conjuction
"if" just like that verb "to doubt"
last week at the Feast of St. Thomas Didymus.
Like the verb "to doubt",
to use the conjunction "if"
is not necessarily negative in
meaning; it could even be a grace
too in itself as it already implies
certainty like when the woman
suffering hemorrhages for 12 years
came up behind Jesus and touched
the tassel on his cloak:
She said to herself, “If only I can touch his cloak, I shall be cured.” Jesus turned around and saw her, and said, “Courage, daughter! Your faith has saved you.” And from that hour the woman was cured (Matthew 9:21-22).
Teach me, Lord Jesus
like that woman to have that deep
faith and trust in you,
to claim always what is mine,
what I truly deserve because
you know what is best for us;
many times, Jesus,
we prefer to stay on the side
of the road, afraid to dare get close
and touch you because
of the more negative connotations
of that conjunction "if"
like what if I fail,
what if I don't get it,
and many other "ifs"
of hesitancy;
like that woman,
let my "if" be my final push
to get close to you.
Or,
like Jacob in the first
reading, let my "if" lead me
into action, into doing something
like an altar for the Lord
after meeting him in a dream
to remind him of your promise,
of your presence,
of your power.
Like Jacob,
we flee for many reasons
yet always end up being found
by you, Lord,
in the most ordinary instances.
If we could just learn
from your ways, Lord,
then our ifs would be
more of certainty
than suppositions.
Amen.
Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II
Our Lady of Fatima University
Valenzuela City
Sa gitna ng ilog ng alaala at trahedya, nananatiling nakalutang ang pag-asa—ang Krus sa Wawa ay hindi lamang paalala ng sakit kundi paanyaya ng pananampalataya: na sa bawat unos ng buhay, may Diyos na hindi lumulubog; sa bawat takot at pangambang dinadala natin, may liwanag na patuloy na naglalayag, patungo sa katiyakan ng Kanyang pag-ibig at kaligtasan.
“Sangkalupaang nilalang, galak sa Poo’y isigaw.” Galak at tuwa ang mensahe sa atin ng Diyos ngayong Linggo. Pero kakaiba ito sa mga nararanasan ng marami ngayon sa mundo. Ang damdamin ng marami ay pangamba. At ang direktang naaapektohan ay nakararanas ng sakit, takot at kamatayan. Ano ba ang mangyayari sa mundo na dumadami ang mga digmaan? Malalaki ang mga bomba na pinapalipad ngayon sa mga kaaway. Gumagamit ng drones ang Russia at Ukraine laban sa isa’t-isa. Marami ang tinatamaan ng mga drones na ito ay mga civilians. Patuloy na binobomba at pinupulbos ng Israel ang Gaza at ang Lebanon. Pinapatay nila ang mga walang kalaban-labang mga tao. Nagpapadala ng bomba ang Israel at ang Iran laban sa isa’t-isa at ganoon din ang ginagawa ng America laban sa Iran. Saan ba papunta ang mundo natin? Paano tayo magagalak sa ganitong sitwasyon?
Pero narinig natin sa sinulat ni propeta Isaias: “Magalak ang lahat, magalak kayo dahil sa Jerusalem.” Paano tayo magagalak dahil sa Jerusalem na siya nga ng bumobomba sa Gaza, sa Lebanon at sa Iran? Hindi ang Jerusalem ngayon at ang namumuno doon ang dahilan ng ating kagalakan, kasi kahit na mga Hudyo sila, hindi sila sumusunod sa Bibliya ng mga Hudyo. Mapaghiganti sila at pumapatay ng mga bata, ng mga kababaihan at ng mga matatanda at may kapansanan. Ayon sa plano ng Diyos ang mga Hudyo, ang mga anak ni Abraham, ay dapat maging pagpapala para sa mga bansa. Hindi nila ito ginagawa. Sila ang nagdadala ng kamatayan at pagkasira sa maraming mga Palestinians na wala namang kalaban-laban.
Narinig natin kay propeta Isaias sa ating pagbasa: “Akong Panginoon ang kumakalinga sa mga tumatalima sa akin.” Iyan dapat ang maging dahilan ng ating kagalakan, ang pagsunod natin sa kalooban ng Diyos. Ang tunay na Israel, ang tunay na Hudyo, ay ang sumusunod sa batas ng Diyos.
Iyan nga ang naging dahilan ng kagalakan ng mga apostol sa ating ebanghelyo. Pinadala sila ni Jesus sa hindi madaling misyon. Malaki ang misyon nila. Marami ang aanihin. Mapanganib pa. Para silang mga tupa sa gitna ng mga asong gubat. At sinabi pa ng Diyos na huwag silang magdala ng anuman – walang supot, walang lukbutan, walang panyapak. Huwag silang maging mapili kung saan sila tutuloy at hindi maging mapili sa kanilang kakainin. Tatanggapin nila ang anumang ihahain sa kanila. Huwag din sila magalit sa hindi pagtanggap sa kanila. Hayaan na lang nila sila at patuloy sila sa kanilang pagmimisyon. Hindi dapat sila mapigilan ng mga komokontra sa kanila.
Hindi madali ang pinagagawa sa kanila ni Jesus. Pero sinunod nila at hindi sila binigo ni Jesus. Talagang pinangangalagaan ng Diyos ang sumusunod sa kanya. Walang nakapinsala sa kanila ng mga mabangis at makamandag na mga hayop. Naging matagumpay sila. Pati ang mga demonyo ay sumusuko sa kanila. Napapakita nila sa mga tao na dumarating na nga ang paghahari ng Diyos. Naipaghanda din nila ang daraanan ng Panginoon.
Pero hindi lang ito ang ikagalak nila. Mas lalo dapat nilang ikagalak na nakatala ang kanilang pangalan sa langit. Ang ibig sabihin nito, na may gatimpala sila sa langit, hindi lang dito sa lupa. Mas higit pang kaligayahan ang nag-aantay sa kanila doon sa kabilang buhay.
Minsan sinabi ni Jesus na maging handa tayo na iwanan ang lahat upang sumunod sa kanya. Sinabi ni San Pedro: “Panginoon, iniwan namin ang lahat – ang aming pamilya, ang aming ariarian, ang aming lupain at ang aming trabaho, upang sumunod sa iyo. Ano naman ang mapapala namin?” Sinagot siya ni Jesus na ang sinumang tumalikod sa pamilya, sa bahay, sa ari-arian at sa kanyang sarili alang-alang sa kanya ay magkakaroon ng isang daang ibayo ng mga ito sa buhay na ito at ng buhay na walang hanggan sa kabilang buhay. Hindi natin matatalo ang Diyos sa kabutihan at sa pagiging mapagbigay. Ito ay ang dahilan ng ating kagalakan. Kaya magalak tayo kung tayo ay naglilingkod sa Diyos, kung tayo ay nagbibigay ng panahon sa kanya, kung tayo ay nagbabahagi ng ating kayamanan sa ating balik-handog para sa Diyos at sa ating kapwa. Magalak tayo at magsaya. Malaki ang ating gantimpala sa Diyos. Hindi siya pabaya. Hindi lang niya alam ang ating mga kasalanan, binibilang din niya ang lahat ng kabutihan natin. Sumunod lang tayo sa kanya.
Sa ating ikalawang pagbasa, hindi natatakot si Pablo sa mga krus at kahirapan sa buhay. Naniniwala siya na mabisa ang krus at nagtatagumpay ang krus. Nabubuhay siya dahil sa krus ni Jesus. Binago siya ng krus. Noong si Jesus ay namatay sa krus, nagkaroon siya ng bagong buhay. Gayon din binago tayo ng krus ni Jesus. Naging bagong nilalang tayo. Hindi na tayo naging makalaman; naging maka-espiritu na tayo. Sumaatin na ang kapayapaan at pagpapala ng Diyos. Ito ang dahilan ng ating kasiyahan.
Tayo ay masaya hindi dahil sa maayos ang lahat, hindi dahil sa walang problema, at ni hindi dahil sa lahat ng ginugusto natin ay napapasaatin. Nagagalak tayo dahil sa sinusunod natin ang kalooban ng Diyos. Nagagalak tayo na binago tayo ng krus ni Jesus. Nagagalak tayo na may gantimpalang nag-aantay sa atin dito sa lupa at sa langit. Gusto ng Diyos na ibahagi ang kanyang kaligayahan sa atin. Ito ang dahilan ng ating kasiyahan, isang kasiyahan na hindi maibibigay ng mundong ito. Magalak tayo!
Gospel Reading for July 06, 2025 – Luke 10: 1-12, 17-20
STAND IN AWE
At that time the Lord appointed seventy-two others whom he sent ahead of him in pairs to every town and place he intended to visit. He said to them, “The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest. Go on your way; behold, I am sending you like lambs among wolves. Carry no money bag, no sack, no sandals; and greet no one along the way. Into whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace to this household.’ If a peaceful person lives there, your peace will rest on him; but if not, it will return to you. Stay in the same house and eat and drink what is offered to you, for the laborer deserves his payment. Do not move about from one house to another. Whatever town you enter and they welcome you, eat what is set before you, cure the sick in it and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God is at hand for you.’ Whatever town you enter and they do not receive you, go out into the streets and say, ‘The dust of your town that clings to our feet, even that we shake off against you.’ Yet know this: the kingdom of God is at hand. I tell you, it will be more tolerable for Sodom on that day than for that town.”
The seventy-two returned rejoicing, and said, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us because of your name.” Jesus said, “I have observed Satan fall like lightning from the sky. Behold, I have given you the power to ‘tread upon serpents’ and scorpions and upon the full force of the enemy and nothing will harm you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice because the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice because your names are written in heaven.”
————
Being successful in the mission is not a reason to be rejoicing, but rather an opportunity to STAND IN AWE of God who makes everything possible, and who can never be overpowered by the demons. Rather than rejoice, success in the mission is a reason to be grateful to God for using us as his instrument, unworthy though we are.
When we are called and are sent by God, we have to bear in mind, that all powers and gifts we might possess, including making the demons subject to us, is not something we can be proud of, because they all come from God and are given to fulfill the mission to which he sends us.
As Jesus says, it is having our names written in heaven that should be the reason for us to rejoice.
Yes, Lord, may we always be your humble servants as we work in the harvest,!
Lord My Chef Sunday Recipe, 06 July 2025
Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle C
Isaiah 66:10-14 ><}}}*> Galatians 6:14-18 ><}}}*> Luke 10:1-12
Photo by author, Atok, Benguet, 27 December 2024.
Finally, we hit the fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time with Luke as our guide after a month of Solemnities.
We are at the turning point in the gospel of Luke – chapter 9 and first half of chapter 10 – where Jesus was identified by Peter as the Messiah (9:20) while Jesus for the first time made known his coming pasch (9:22). From this point on, Luke tells us of how Jesus “resolutely determined to journey to Jerusalem” (9:51) to fulfill his mission as they took a detour from a Samaritan town that had refused them passage (9:53). After this scene comes our gospel this Sunday.
At that time the Lord appointed seventy-two others whom he sent ahead of him in pairs to every town and place he intended to visit. He said to them, “The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of harvest to send out laborers for his harvest. Go on your way; behold, I am sending you like lambs among wolves. Carry no money bag, no sack, no sandals; greet no one along the way. Into whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace to this household’… Stay in the same house and eat and drink what is offered to you, for the laborer deserves his payment. Do not move about from one house to another. Whatever town you and enter and they welcome you, eat what is set before you, cure the sick in it and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God is at hand for you.’” (Luke 10:1-5, 7-9)
First thing we notice about discipleship according to Jesus is that it is never easy, “behold, I am sending you like lambs among wolves.” Disciples need to be “resolutely determined” in the mission like Jesus, focused only on Jesus.
Early in his teachings during the Sermon on the Plain, Jesus enunciated in his Beatitudes the contradictions of his life and teachings to the ways of the world his followers have to imitate. Hence, his list of “do’s” and “don’ts” of discipleship in today’s gospel.
Do’s: greet peace every household they entered; stay in same house; eat and drink whatever is offered; cure the sick; and proclaim “the kingdom of God is at hand.”
Don’ts: no money, no sack, no sandals, no greetings along the way, and do not move about from one house to another.
Notice there are five do’s and five don’ts. And there are only two “do’s” that require speaking: to greet every household with peace and then the other is to proclaim to everyone the kingdom of God is at hand (10:5, 9) which is the sum of discipleship in Christ.
Photo by author, Sacred Heart Novitiate, Novaliches, QC, 20 March 2025.
“Into whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace to this household’”…
The only valuable we as disciples of Christ must have is peace that we have to offer generously to everyone.
Peace is the work of the Holy Spirit, a sign of the coming of the Kingdom of God as the angels proclaimed on Christmas, “on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests” (Lk. 2:14). Most of all, peace is the fruit of Easter that the Risen Lord offered his disciples upon seeing them on that evening, “Peace be with you” (Jn.20:19).
Vatican II defined peace “is not merely the absence of war… but the fruit of love which goes beyond what justice can provide” (Gaudium et Spes 78). Peace is something we all have to work and strive for, entailing wounds and sacrifices for us to achieve it by cooperating with the grace of Jesus Christ in overcoming sin and evil. It is a process that never stops, calling for perseverance and daily conversion on our part.
Peace comes when we disciples are open for Christ, for others, and for change and transformation. That is why Jesus insisted us his disciples not to bring anything material that may influence our dealings with others, especially with those who are poor.
The great irony of our time is that the more we have grown affluent with wealth and material things, the more we have become empty in meaning and directions in life. So many are disturbed, longing for peace but could not have it because we the disciples are also lost in the things and the ways of the world.
Photo by author, Sacred Heart Novitiate, Novaliches, QC, 20 March 2025.
“…cure the sick in it and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God is at hand for you.’”
In the Luminous Mysteries of the Holy Rosary introduced by St. John Paul in 2002 is its third mystery, the proclamation of the Kingdom of God.
It is truly a mystery of light because Jesus is the Kingdom of God! To proclaim the coming of the Kingdom of God is to proclaim the coming of Jesus Christ in our midst. When John the Baptist’s disciples asked Jesus if he was the One they were waiting for or had to wait for another, Jesus said in reply, “Go and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind regain their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have the good news proclaimed to them” (Lk.7:22).
Where there is healing, there is new life, there is proclamation of the good news, there is Jesus Christ! Proclaiming the Kingdom of God is representing Jesus in our lives, in our mission.
From vaticannews.va
In the previous chapter and scenes before our gospel this Sunday, Jesus asked his disciples what people said about him, the very same gospel we have last Sunday during the Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul.
Recall how Jesus was mistaken for John the Baptist, Elijah and Jeremiah or one of the prophets.
That’s the problem we still have today: many followers of Jesus do not represent him well that people are lost at who he really is! And it first happens right in the Sunday Eucharist as noted by a Facebook group called Catholic Fortress in its series this past week.
Many reacted positively for the series that was really good and timely for us priests and ministers at the altar who have unconsciously abused the Mass, unknowingly deviating from Christ himself who could no longer be found and experienced by the people. Truly the Mass is about Jesus; but, when it becomes like a showbiz with so many ek-ek and palabas by the priest, the servers and ministers and the choir, then it leads us away from Jesus who is paloob or inside our hearts.
In 400 AD, St. Augustine wrote the first manual for catechism called De Catechizandis De Rudibus (On Instructing Beginners) detailing, step by step the many things to consider and lessons to teach people being prepared for Baptism. From a simple request by his deacon named Deogratias, St. Augustine came up with an entire book on how to catechize with a final lesson that is the heart of his book when he wrote, “Remember, the catechist is the lesson himself.”
The same thing is very true with us priests and altar ministers and every disciple of Jesus Christ! Do we have Jesus Christ or not especially in the celebration of the Holy Mass where we proclaim the Kingdom of God is at hand and share peace with everyone?
How can there be peace of Christ among us when priests fail to love first of all Jesus in prayers as reflected in his love for the people by preparing for the Mass so that the sick and the burdened may experience Jesus – not an actor or actress of a telenovela no matter how popular it may be?
Where is the Kingdom of God when people have to bear the tantrums and antics and hangups of their priest as they already have so much burdens in life? Or, when people have a hard time tightening their belts and the priest keeps on asking for collections without any reports?
Where is the Kingdom of God when priests play favorites among the parishioners and servers, when some support Pride Movement and corrupt officials?
How can there be peace when all we have in the Mass is clapping of hands that we never have time to listen to God speaking to us in silence?
Photo by author, St. Joseph’s Chapel of the Order of Friars, Tagaytay City, 17 January 2025.
This Sunday, Jesus invites us to examine our faith journey in him if we are still following him or somebody else.
Let us pray for that grace to represent Jesus well always in our lives as priests and laity alike that we truly become the Body of Christ, his presence on earth.
It is the relationships that we have with God that matters in discipleship which Isaiah likened to that of a mother and child in the first reading. This finds it fulfillment when like St. Paul in the second reading, it is Christ’s Cross that we carry in ourselves – not bags nor money nor self and fame. Amen. Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II, Our Lady of Fatima University, Valenzuela City.
The concluding verses of Third Isaiah emphasize rejoicing, reflecting the end of Jerusalem’s trials and the beginning of a new era. Feminine imagery is used, notably a pregnant woman giving birth, symbolizing joy in salvation (vv. 7-11). The citizens of Jerusalem experience contentment as beloved children of a nurturing mother (vv. 12-14). Jerusalem’s significance in Israel’s faith is highlighted by the abundance flowing to her after a period of suffering, marking a time of divine favor and boundless joy.
Gal 6:14-18
Paul addresses the Judaizers’ efforts to reintroduce circumcision and emphasizes that his only boast is in the cross of Christ, which represents His saving work. He explains that the world, which opposes God, no longer holds power over him due to his incorporation into Christ’s death and resurrection through baptism. Paul asserts that true transformation comes from God’s spirit, resulting in a new creation, and he extends his greetings to those who accept this message. He identifies the church as the new Israel, the true descendants of Abraham, and highlights that the marks he bears are the signs of Christ’s suffering, contrasting them with the physical sign of circumcision promoted by his opponents.
Lk 10:1-12, 17-20
The passage discusses the sending of the seventy-two disciples by Jesus, highlighting themes of joy and urgency. There’s a debate about whether the number is seventy or seventy-two, possibly relating to Moses’ assistants. The disciples are sent in pairs to spread their message through both word and example, focusing on the urgency of their mission.
The readiness of people for conversion is emphasized, along with the potential for opposition vv2-3). The missionaries are instructed to travel light and avoid excess, with their needs to be met by the host community. They should expect hostility similar to what Jesus faced and are to leave places of rejection without hesitation.
The return of the disciples is marked by joy as they report successes in their mission, including the defeat of evil (v17). Jesus emphasizes their significant role in the reign of God, reassuring them of their place in the divine kingdom.
Isaiah expresses joy in God’s promises to Jerusalem, while the apostles celebrate their successful mission and the establishment of God’s reign. Jesus assures them that even greater things are to come. Paul’s joy is grounded in the cross of Christ, which grants him new life. May we all discover true happiness in living out our Christian faith and fulfilling our mission. Amen.
50-pisong dagdag sa arawang sahod ng mga minimum wage earners. Dapat bang matuwa ang mga manggagawang Pilipino lalu sa National Capital Region?
Sa July 18, 2025 ipapatupad ng Department of Labor and Management ang 50-pesos na umento sa sahod. Mabibiyayaan nito ang 1.2-milyong minimum wage workers sa NCR. Mula sa 645-pesos na minimum wage ng mga non-agricultural workers ay magiging 695-pesos na ang kanilang arawang sahod. Sa mga manggagawa sa agri,services at retail mula sa 608-pesos magiging P658 na ito.
Mabilis na kumilos ang NCR Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board sa pag-aprubado ng wage increase matapos kapusin sa oras ang Senado at Kamara na mapag-isa at maisapinal ang 200-pesos at 100-pesos na across the board legislated wage increase nationwide. Kung naisabatas ang legislated wage increase, ibig bang sabihin., dapat nang buwagin ang mga TWPB sa bawat probinsya sa Pilipinas? Di kaya, mabilis na tumugon ang TWPB sa pakiusap ng mga negosyante dahil sa takot sa legislated wage increase? Maigi nang mauna kaysa mahuli… Sa pagbubukas ng 20th Congress, marami sa mga mambabatas ang naghain ng panukala para sa legislated wage increase.
Kapanalig, katanggap-tanggap ba sa mga manggagawa ang 50-pesos na umento sa sahod ng mga minimum wage earners sa NCR?
Para sa Church People-Workers Solidarity (CWS), welcome ang wage hike… Pero, ang sabi ng grupo…hindi makatao ang dagdag sa sahod, malayo ito sa 1,200-pesos na daily cost of living..Tinagurian ng grupo na pro-business at anti-workers ang kakarampot na pagtaas sa sahod ng mga manggagawa sa NCR na hirap na hirap na pagkasyahin ang suweldo sa pang-araw araw na gastusin.. mahal ang mga bilihin., mahal ang bayarin sa mga serbisyo, pamasahe.
Gusto ng mga manggagawa ang legislated wage increase., ayaw ito ng mga employers., magsasara daw ang maraming kumpanya lalu na ang mga Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). Ang totoo Kapanalig, ang isang minimum wage earners sa Pilipinas., magreretiro na lang, mahirap pa rin dahil sa maliit na sahod… ang mga employer, triple ang kinikita. Nasaan ang social justice?
Kapanalig, sang-ayon ka ba na ang desisyon ay pagpapakita ng kawalan ng habag ng DOLE at RTWRB lalu na ng mga employer sa mga manggagawa?
May epekto kaya ang 50-pesos na wage hike sa mga manggagawa na sumasahod ng minimum? Nabunyag sa SWS survey noong April 2025 na tumaas ng 20-porsiyento ang bilang ng mga Pinoy na dumaranas ng involuntary hunger (kagutuman). Naitala sa Mindanao ang mataas na bilang ng kagutuman 17.3-percent.,14.3-porsiyento sa Visayas at 20-percent sa Metro Manila habang 17-percent sa Luzon
Ipinaalala ni Pope Leo XIII sa kanyang encyclical na RERUM NOVARUM (45) sa mga lider ng pamahalaan at mga employer na “The working man is not be treated as a slave;in the market place, he is not simply a merchandise”.The worker is not a cog in the machinery of capital. He is a person, made in the like and image of God. The rich have a responsibility to help the poor, and charity is an important duty of all Christian”.
Gospel Reading for July 05, 2025 – Matthew 9: 14-17
ALL THAT MATTERS
The disciples of John approached Jesus and said, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast much, but your disciples do not fast?” Jesus answered them, “Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast. No one patches an old cloak with a piece of unshrunken cloth, for its fullness pulls away from the cloak and the tear gets worse. People do not put new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise the skins burst, the wine spills out, and the skins are ruined. Rather, they pour new wine into fresh wineskins, and both are preserved.”
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The Pharisees fasted twice a week purportedly to express humility, repentance and to be closer to God. Being with Jesus, Son of God was the closest they could get to God, but their rejection of him made them lose that opportunity and instead got lost in religious practices that were meant for show. The Pharisees were called hypocrites by Jesus because when they fast, they look somber to disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting (Matthew 6: 16-18).
Fasting is a form of sacrifice and as such is meant to be kept private. Our Father in heaven sees our intentions and that is ALL THAT MATTERS. It would be very good for our spiritual and physical well-being to fast as sacrifice even outside the Lenten Season, and offer it for various intentions of our family, friends, our country and the world.
Lord, may we learn to do only the things that matter to our heavenly Father!
Gospel Reading for July 04, 2025 – Matthew 9: 9-13
CHANGE
As Jesus passed by, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the customs post. He said to him, “Follow me.” And he got up and followed him. While he was at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat with Jesus and his disciples. The Pharisees saw this and said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” He heard this and said, “Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do. Go and learn the meaning of the words, I desire mercy, not sacrifice. I did not come to call the righteous but sinners.”
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Matthew was a tax collector, and tax collectors were hated by the Jews as they were known to be corrupt as well as traitors because they collected for the Roman Empire and made profit as such. In short, they were regarded as sinners by the Jews, and therefore, have to be shunned. It was not surprising then that the Pharisees reacted when they saw Jesus mingling with them, especially at table. To dine with sinners was seen by the Pharisees as a violation of social and religious norms. It must have been worst for them when they came to know that Matthew became a regular follower of Jesus!
This thing of looking down on sinners when we ourselves are not sinless is not normal behavior. It is an indication of something being basically wrong within ourself. The most common reason for being such is Projection – we cannot accept we are unclean so we brand others to be unclean, thus making us hypocrites, as Jesus called the Pharisees.
When Jesus said that he did not come to call the righteous but sinners, it was short of saying that those of us who think we are pure and blameless, cannot be saved. Even when we sin, God does not brand us as sinners because for him, there is always room for CHANGE. Through his Spirit, we can always be victorious over sin and self-destruction.
Let us ponder on this song written in 1968 by Atek Jacinto, which won second place at a songwriting contest of the then Youth Movement – Sing-Out Asia, TIME TO CHANGE –
It’s time for us to make our dreams come true.
A guiding voice will tell us what to do.
It’s the time to change ourselves and
show the world that we still care for men
and we’ll lead them there…
We’ll lead them to a place beyond the sea;
A place of love where everyone is free.
Don’t despair, the path to happiness is wide
if we must change our ways call on God for our guide;
if we must change our ways call on God for our guide;
Kapag palpak ang pagpapatakbo ng gobyerno at ahensiya nito sa isang public services., dahil sa kakulangan ng kakayahan., korapsyon… ang solusyon, (privatization)… isapribado ito.
Noon pang 1990’s nagsimulang maging agresibo ang pamahalaan ng Pilipinas sa pagsasapribado ng mga serbisyong pag-aari ng gobyerno sa pagsasabatas ng Republic Act 6957 o BOT law(Build Operate Transfer at Build and Transfer).,Inamyendahan ng RA 7718 ang RA 6957 at nakilala ang Build Own and Operate gayundin ang Build Lease and Transfer. Sa kasalukuyan ito ay tinatawag na Private-Public Partnerships(PPP). Bakit gustong-gusto ng pamahalaan ang privatization? Ang record ng success at failure ng mga nakaraang pangulo ng Pilipinas sa privatization ay 50-50.
Kapanalig, ang privatization ay tinatawag na Structural Adjustment Policy (SAP). Ang SAP ay kondisyon na ini-impose ng International Monetary Fund(IMF), World Bank(WB) at Asian Development Bank (ADB) sa mga developing countries para makapangutang o makapag-loan.
Ibig sabihin Kapanalig, kapag ang gobyerno ng isang mahirap na bansa tulad ng Pilipinas ay hindi magpatupad ng privatization program, hindi ito makapangutang sa IMF,WB at ADB para pondohan ang mga proyekto nito. Kaya naman pala!
Unang sinimulan ng dating Pangulong Corazon Aquino ang privatization program sa pagbibenta ng Non Performing Assets, mga government owned and controlled corporations, government owned financiual institutions ng gobyerno ng Pilipinas na sinasabing kontrolado ng pinatalsik na dating pangulong Marcos.
Unang palpak sa privatization program ng Pilipinas ang EPIRA law, na naging daan para ibenta ang National Power Corporation(NAPOCOR), layon nitong basagin ang monopolya sa power distribution at bumaba ang presyo ng elektrisidad na lalong tumaas dahil kontrolado naman ng MERALCO. Naging palpak din ang privatization ng Philippine Orthopedic Center kung saan limitado ang ibinibigay na serbisyo sa mga indigent o mahihirap na pasyente. Noong 1997, isinangkalan ng Ramos administration ang krisis sa tubig upang isapribado ang Metropolitan Waterworks and Severage System(MWSS).Ang resulta Kapanalig, tumaas ang singil ng tubig., hindi lang triple ang kinita ng Manila Water at Maynilad.
Ang Ninoy Aquino International Airport ay naibenta ng pamahalaan ng 170.6-bilyong piso. Nasaan ang pera, saan ito ginamit? Ito ang madalas na problema sa privatization program., walang transparency, walang accountability.
Sa kasalukuyan, nagmamadali ang Department of Transportation (DOTr) sa pagsasapribado ng Light Rail Transit Line 2(LRT-2) at Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MTR-3) gayundi ang EDSA Bus Line.
Tulad ng inaasahan, palpak ang pagpapatakbo ng DOTr… magiging efficient daw ang serbisyo ng mga ito kung hawak na ng pribadong sektor… Pero noong pang 2010, nagbabala ang isang transportation consultant sa Economic Journalist Association of the Philippines Forum na kabilang ang LRT-2 at MTR-3 sa PPP project na “designed to fail”.
Kapanalig, sa bawat palpak na proyekto ng gobyerno., ang karaniwang mamamayan ang laging apektado, ito ang pumapasan sa mga kamalian, sa nalustay na kaban ng bayan.
Para kay Pope Leo XIII sa kanyang encyclical na Rerum Novarum, ang social justice ay“the norms of the common good” by which “one class is forbidden to exclude the other from sharing in the benefits”
