The Lord Is My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II Thursday, Week I in Ordinary Time, Year I, 16 January 2025 Hebrews 3:17-14 <*((((>< + ><))))*> Mark 1:40-45
Encourage yourselves daily while it is still “today,” so that none of you may grow hardened by the deceit of sin. We have become partners of Christ only if we hold the beginning of the reality firm until the end (Hebrews 3:13-14).
Let us not waste the present moment, the "today", Lord Jesus to be faithful and true to you always; may we not imitate the Israelites at Meribah and Massah where they tested God though they have seen his works; soften our hearts and open them to your truth, Jesus that we may not turn like the Jewish Christians to whom this letter was addressed because they could not accept you as the Christ, the Messiah.
In this time when your most holy name dear Jesus is being mocked and laughed at by those supposed to be learned and sophisticated, make us realize the fact there are so many things in this world and universe still so beyond our knowing nor understanding; instead of disregarding and ignoring you among us, may we acknowledge your presence in the many instances of grace and salvation in life; teach us to turn to you more often, Lord Jesus as your part-ners, that is, part of your very self because without you, we are incomplete; open our eyes so we may meet you especially when you go out of your way to find us in our alienation and sin as well as darkness and sufferings like that leper you have healed; make us ponder more deeply your realities and mystery, Jesus as we follow your instruction to be silent and to go to the temple to the church to pray more, to listen more to your instructions. Amen.
