The Lord Is My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II Monday in the Twenty-Fourth Week of Ordinary Time, 12 September 2022 1 Corinthians 11:17-26, 33 ><)))*> + <*(((>< ><)))*> + <*(((>< Luke 7:1-10
On this blessed Monday after a weekend of heavy rains and thunderstorms, I pray dear Lord Jesus for those dearest to me, the persons I value for they have all showed me a glimpse of your goodness and kindness; most of all, it was from them that I have experienced your love and care.
When Jesus had finished all his words to the people, he entered Capernaum. A centurion there had a slave who was ill and about to die, and he was valuable to him.
Luke 7:1-2
How touching, lovely, and so sweet Luke's opening lines for today's gospel: of how a gentile military officer valued a slave, asking for representation to Jesus for a much needed healing, because "he was valuable to him."
How lovely as the story went on when the centurion declared those very words we also pray before receiving you, Jesus, in Holy Communion: "Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and I shall be healed" (Lk.7:6).
So true, indeed, when we have deep faith in you, dear Jesus, like that centurion, we would surely have great love for others; it is in this deep faith in you, O Lord who is most present with us in the Eucharist that we pray for the healing of our loved ones, those we value most of their sickness not only in body but also in mind, heart and soul; deepen and strengthen their faith in you, keep their hopes alive in you always despite the pains and fears within them.
O dear Jesus, may we truly be Eucharistic in our lives, valuing every person especially those going through sufferings and difficulties these days so that "as often as we eat this bread and drink this cup, we may proclaim your death Lord until you come again" (1 Cor.11:26). Amen.
