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The Lord Is My Chef Sunday Recipe, Week 3-A
Isaiah 8:23-9:3//1Corinthians 1:10-13,17//Matthew 4:12-23
It was only last Monday morning while guesting at Radio Veritas for the start of the Fourth World Apostolic Congress on Mercy (WACOM4) when I realized how fast time flies that it was also the same date of January 16, 2015 Pope Francis came to visit us to bring “Mercy and Compassion” with the Yolanda victims in Tacloban and Palo, Leyte. It was also around that date last year when Cebu hosted the 51st International Eucharistic Congress attended by thousands of delegates from here and around the world. What a tremendous blessing since 2015 that our country had hosted three successive international religious gatherings aimed at deepening our faith to put it into concrete actions of love and mercy! Our readings on this third week of the Ordinary Time are so timely placing the recent WACOM4 into that wonderful reality of how Jesus Christ started His ministry and mission in the far province of Galilee where so many people were suffering in poverty, sickness, and discrimination being a land inhabited with so many pagans and sinners so to speak.
When Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee. He left Nazareth and went to live in Capernaum by the sea, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali, that what had been said through Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled: Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the way to sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles, the people who sit in darkness have seen a great light, on those dwelling in a land overshadowed by death light has arisen. (Mt.4:12-16)
Last Sunday during the Feast of Sto. Nino, I have shared in my reflection (which I failed to send you) how our country the Philippines, so small in stature like a child, was chosen by God to be the center of Christianity in this part of the globe. Today as I look back the past five days of WACOM4, the first to be held in Asia, once again the Lord had shown us how much He has blessed us like Galilee that despite our many limitations and shortcomings as a nation, He visits us to entrust us with this mission of mercy to the world. In our poverty and problems, Jesus visits us to bring the light of hope to a brighter future like what He did then in Galilee. This makes WACOM4 so unique that delegates moved to other places like a pilgrimage of mercy, from Manila Cathedral to UST, then to the National Shrines of San Padre Pio in Batangas and of Divine Mercy in Bulacan, and finally last Friday for the sending off in Bataan facing the sea like in Galilee at the Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar. In this pilgrimage of mercy, we have realized from the foreign delegates who have come from 40 countries that although economic and technological advancements are important, the spiritual well-being always weigh greater than any material advantages people may have in this life. The WACOM delegates shed tears while at the Bethlehem House of Bread when they experienced that no amount of money can buy the value of a hug to a child orphaned at nine months after being left by her own mother in an empty cemetery tomb two years ago. More tears streamed from their eyes when another group of WACOM delegates felt the tremendous value of silent moments spent with the elderly at the Emmaus House of Apostolate in Malolos. Most of these elderlies were abandoned in the streets who have found meaning anew in old age while awaiting the final trip in life.
Another place of mercy visited by the WACOM delegates was Galilee Home in Dona Remedios Trinidad at the foot of the Sierra Madre Mountain range of Bulacan. Its director is my classmate and friend Fr. Joshua Panganiban. We were both assigned there before our ordination to the diaconate in 1997 and since 1998 after being ordained as priests, Fr. Joshua had dedicated his life caring for the drug dependents there. Founded 25 years ago by Fr. Boyet Concepcion, Galilee Home is a unique concept in rehabilitating drug dependents using the spiritual approach of prayer centered in the Holy Eucharist expressed in a life of communion as brothers. The gate is always open, perhaps the only drug rehab in the world where patients are always free to leave when not ready to change for the better. Most of all, rehabilitation there is free!
During my three month stay there in 1997, Fr. Boyet explained to me his concept for Galilee Home based on his belief that every addiction is caused by a failure to find our grounding in God, our very life and meaning. It may sound simplistic but everything there is truly a work of God that I for one was also changed by my experiences. During my stay there, Fr. Boyet had to leave for his annual mission appeal abroad and I was tasked as head of Galilee in his place. Two weeks later, my first crucial test came when the secretary informed me we needed about Php10,000.00 for our electric bill and other expenses, as well fresh supplies of rice and groceries especially instant noodles our patients take as viand most of the time. It was a “bad trip” for me as I was so stressed out, thinking how to solve the problem while everybody was telling me to relax because “God will provide.” Weekend came and I had decided to go home to ask help from my parents but was told by the staff to wait until Monday. Sunday morning after praying in the chapel, I had to welcome visitors at the lobby, all employees of Nestle Philippines who have brought sacks of rice, and two pick-up trucks of groceries, including boxes of Maggi Instant Noodles! Before lunch after celebrating Mass at the Parish outside, a family came to see me to hand me their gift in a long white envelope. They did not stay long and immediately after their car left our gate, we slowly opened their envelope like in a poker. Lo and behold! Written on the check was the amount of Php10,000.00, exactly what we needed!
We all have our personal Galilee or dark corners in our lives: our sinful past, our handicaps, our pains, our failures. Sometimes our Galilee can be our very family, your husband or your wife, your son or daughter, our siblings or parents and other relationships. Our job or career can also be our own Galilee when we get used to the routine after so many years but we could not decide to leave for a host of many reasons. Galilee is where we are lost, when we are in darkness but always remember, Galilee is also where Jesus Christ comes to seek us, to heal us, to love us with His Divine Mercy. Let us heed the preaching and call of Jesus Christ in Galilee at the start of His ministry that continues to this day, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” and “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.” (Mt.4:17,19) A blessed week to everyone!
Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II
Parokya ni San Juan Apostol at Ebanghelista
Gov. F. Halili Ave., Bagbaguin, Sta. Maria, Bulacan
