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The Lord Is My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II Thursday, Memorial of St. Maria Faustina Kowalska, Virgin, 05 October 2023 Nehemiah 8:1-4, 5-6, 7-12 <[[[[>< + ><]]]]'> Luke 10:1-12
Every day we tell you, dear Father, "thanks be to God!" but what do we really thank you for? More than the gift of life, the joy of a wonderful morning, or when the universe simply aligns with us that we get what we prayed for, what we worked for, and what we like most is the fact that you, O God, is speaking clearly to us, that you love us, that you have forgiven us, that you believe in us as you send us forth to a mission.
How beautiful to read Nehemiah's account today when your people after getting back to Jerusalem from their long exile in Babylon heard anew your words proclaimed from the Sacred Scriptures, many cried even wept because you have spoken to them anew; how sad these days we take your words for granted, O God, after being proclaimed in the Mass; many say "thanks be to God" without realizing its deep meaning, its incomparable joy of hearing your words again, God.
Let us love your words, O God; let us immerse ourselves in your words found in the scriptures to cleanse us of our impurities and see one another as brother and sister in you our Father; most of all, let us open ourselves to your word who became flesh, Jesus Christ, and be transformed to enflesh your words in this world so empty of meaning and direction, most especially of peace.
Let us listen to your words always, dear God, and be witnesses of your speaking to us. Amen.