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Lord My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II Tuesday, Sixth Week in Ordinary Time, Year II, 17 February 2026 James 1:12-18 <*((((>< + ><))))*> Mark 8:14-21
Help me understand, Lord Jesus! Until now like your Apostles, I grapple and still baffled by your immense love for me, your boundless care and grace that most of the time I still don't get what you mean when you speak to me. How I see myself seated there in your boat, side by side with the Twelve, thinking along the same line, still could not get your point vis-a-vis your recent gifts and blessings.
No one experiencing temptation should say, “I am being tempted by God”; for God is not subject to temptation to evil, and he himself tempts no one. Rather, each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his desire. Then desire conceives and brings forth sin, and when sin reaches maturity it gives birth to death. Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers and sisters: all good giving and every perfect gift is from above coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is not alteration or shadow caused by change (James 1:13-17).
This is another thing that must be clarified among us, Lord Jesus: God tests us but never tempts us!
God tests us, allows us to be tested to strengthen our faith, to make us grow and mature as persons dependent in him; temptations are pressures and enticements to lure us into sin, to disobey God that comes from many sources like pride and selfishness, the world and its comforts, and the devil himself.
This is the leaven of the Pharisees we must take guard against always, Lord Jesus; keep us focused on you alone, clear me of doubts and self-serving interests, to be always open to you by sharpening my perception of your loving presence. Amen.
