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The Lord Is My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II Thursday in the First Week of Ordinary Time, 12 January 2023 Hebrews 3:7-14 ><]]]]'> + ><]]]]'> + ><]]]]'> Mark 1:40-45
The word "today" resonates so clearly this day in your words, O Lord our God: indeed, let us not harden our hearts if today we hear your voice; let us not be like your people at Meribah who quarreled and rebelled against you for lack of water in the desert; let us not be like your people in Massah where they failed your test of faith and trust, even Moses who struck the rock twice instead of once as you have commanded him.
Meribah and Massah continue to exist today right in our hearts when we rebel against you and those above us like our parents and teachers, our elders and superiors and leaders in the Church; until now we refuse to heed your voice, recognize your presence in Jesus Christ in every here and now, in each day, in the TODAY. Forgive us, merciful Father, let us hold on to faith to be "partners in Christ" by finding him, loving him, and serving him in the here and now.
Like that leper, let us have that complete trust and faith in you, Jesus, waiting for you each day, in every TODAY to tell you, "If you wish, you can make me clean" (Mk.1:40) because you have always been present with us in all our lives, especially in our pains and sufferings; you always have that compassion for us that always, your grace appears most when we are in our crosses. And for that, we praise and thank you, dear Jesus! Fill us with your Spirit, make us enthusiastic like that leper in every TODAY to proclaim you saving presence. Amen.
