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The Lord Is My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II Friday, Memorial of Our Lady of the Way (Madonna Della Strada), 24 May 2024 James 5:9-12 ><))))"> + ><))))"> + ><))))"> Mark 10:1-12
Lord Jesus Christ, on this 24th of May, I join the Society of Jesus in honoring Your Mother they have affectionately called Santa Maria Della Strada, Our Lady of the Way; thank You for introducing me to her last year, a wonderful title of Mary reminding me always of You, Jesus, who declared Yourself as "the Way, the Truth, and the Life" (John 14:6).
Help me, O Lord, along the way, to be faithful to You, keeping in mind the reminders of St. James today to "not complain about one another... to persevere like the prophets... and do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath, but let your 'Yes' mean 'Yes' and your 'No' mean 'No'" (James 5:9, 11, 12).
How timely are Your words, O Lord, in this world where promises and oaths are made only to be broken; make us more sincere in our words, to really mean what we say, to be committed and persevering always in standing by who we are as children of the Father, called to love and be merciful like Him.
We pray for all couples as well as priests and religious having crises in keeping their vows to You, Jesus, to lovingly serve You among the people You have entrusted us; through Mary Your Mother, our Lady of the Way, may we find You always Jesus in every turn and stop we make, to persevere especially when the path is so narrow and difficult, never to turn away when we find the Cross looming in sight.
Forgive us, dear Jesus, for the "hardness of our hearts", especially in those moments we refuse to listen and even stifle Your tiny voice of truth and compassion in our hearts, when we insist on following our own ways of pride and power than Your ways of peace and justice, kindness and care; take away our stony hearts, Lord, and give us natural hearts that beat with firm faith, fervent hope and unceasing charity and love in You like Mary, our Mother. Amen.
