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The Lord Is My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II Monday in the Sixth Week of Ordinary Time, Year II, 12 February 2023 James 1:1-11 ><))))*> + ><))))*> + ><))))*> Mark 8:11-13
Dear Jesus: I love that word "kind" from the responsorial psalm "Be kind to me, Lord, and I shall live" and that scene from the Gospel when you "sighed": the word "kind" is from the root "kin" or "kindred", that is, someone like us, from the same family, or the same tribe; being kind is treating others as one's family or kin and that is how you are to us - kind!
And you were most like one of us, and kind, dear Jesus when you "sighed from the depth of your spirit" (Mk. 8:12) after the Pharisees asked you for sign from heaven to prove you were the Christ; of course, that meant nothing for the Pharisees but for us who believe in you, it was something; like you, dear Jesus, many times we sigh out of exasperation and exhaustion, acceptance and surrender, hope and inspiration to persevere, to keep on, to forge on in life.
You became like us, dear Jesus, in everything except sin but, when you sighed we felt you being so kind too, truly a brother to us like when St. James addressed us 15 times as "brothers and sisters" in his short letter while teaching us the important lesson of bearing all trials in life as you did at your Crucifixion, Lord.
Whenever we sigh, may we remember your kindness, your being one with us, Jesus because you too sighed during those amazing moments of difficulties and trials, powerlessness and poverty when we most gain character and depth as person, not when we are strong and powerful or successful. Amen.
