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The Lord Is My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II Friday, Memorial of the Dedication of the Basilicas of Sts. Peter and Paul, Apostles, 18 November 2022 Revelation 10:8-11 ><000'> + ><000'> + ><000'> Luke 19:45-48
Lord Jesus Christ, as we celebrate today the memorial of the Dedication of the last two Basilicas in Rome - St. Peter's in Vatican and St. Paul's Outside the Walls - you give us a "taste" of what is to be your Church, your Body, and your accompanying mission.
I took the small scroll from the angel’s hand and swallowed it. In my mouth it was like sweet honey, but when I had eaten it, my stomach turned sour. Then someone said to me, “You must prophecy again about many peoples, nations, tongues, and kings.”
Revelation 10:10-11
Thank you, Lord Jesus Christ, for the sweet taste, for the sensation of being a Christian, of listening to your words, of being a Catholic, of serving you, of worshipping you, of being loved by you. Definitely so sweet indeed to experience you in the Church!
But everything becomes sour and bitter when we internalize your words, your call, your mission for that is when reality happens, when we realize being your disciple is a way of life in you, a way of the Cross, of giving one's self to others like the two pillars of your Church, St. Peter and St. Paul.
Sometimes, Lord Jesus, give us a taste of your anger like when you cleansed the temple; let us taste your strong words when we make the church a den of thieves literally speaking; let us have a taste of your discipline when we dirty your Body, when we hurt your Body, and worst, when we mutilate your Body, the Church with our lives so far from your calling and mission especially us your apostles. Let us learn to love and accept being Christian is savoring both the sweet and sour tastes of proclaiming your gospel both in words and in deeds. Amen.
*Photos from en.wikipedia.org.
