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The Lord Is My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II Thursday, Memorial of St. Clement, Pope & Martyr, 23 November 2023 1 Maccabees 2:15-29 ><)))*> + <*(((>< = ><)))*> + <*(((>< Luke 19:41-44
God our Father, bless our cities, bring back life to our dying cities; amid the many signs of progress and affluence, there are also the many signs of decay and poverty that cannot be hidden. And they all begin in our hearts that have turned away from you.
Jesus drew near Jerusalem, he saw the city and wept over it, saying, “If this day you only knew what makes for peace – but now it is hidden from your eyes.
Luke 19:41
So many of us, O Lord, are so allured by the glitter and lights of the city that we forget you, our only light that can vanish all darkness within us; we have been so fascinated with the material prosperity, wealth and fame our cities offer us that we have forgotten your Cross, dear Jesus, that enable us to love truly and bring life to others; we have turned away from you, Jesus, our Lord and God, to worship new gods that leave us empty, lost and confused than ever.
Like Mattathias and his sons along with his many followers during the Maccabean revolt in Israel, let us "leave" our cities and its many temptations and sins, lies and empty promises to search our hearts, to find you again and follow you in order to bring you back to our cities like your martyr St. Clement. Amen.
