GOD’S PRESENCE

             “I AM ONE OF GOD’S PRESENCE IN THIS WORLD”.  This thought came to me when I attended a funeral Mass for the repose of the soul of Kuya Jay-R Quimado, a PREX (Parish Renewal Experience) Graduate.

            At first I was reluctant to attend the funeral due to the time involved and the lined up activities I had to accomplish.  However, I had a feeling of awareness of God’s Will for me to be an instrument in showing His love to Jay-R, his family, relatives and friends who were grieving deeply especially as Jay-R was just 27 years old.

            This made me reflect further on how God makes Himself present in this world. I recalled that recently I wrote an article “Enjoy Your Life” wherein I acknowledged what spiritual writers say that God’s methods are people and events.  I realized the truth of that statement as I experienced in my daily life God’s love through the people I am living with in the present.  This time, however, I focused on the fact that God is using me as His instrument to manifest His love through my presence.  I realized I am very much a Channel of God’s love.  I felt this as I felt the deep appreciation and gratitude expressed especially by Jay-R’s sister “Ate” Abie and her mother.  It dawned on me that this is precisely what St. Francis of Assissi wanted to convey in the Prayer he composed which runs thus:

            Make me a channel of your peace,

            Where there is hatred let me bring your love;

            Where there is injury your pardon, Lord,

            Where there is doubt true faith in you.

            Make me a channel of your peace,

            Where there is despair in life let me bring your hope,

            Where there is darkness only light;

            And where there is sadness ever joy.

            Refrain: O Master, grant that I may never seek

                           So much to be consoled, as to console,

                          To be understood, as to understand,

                          To be loved as to love with all my soul.

            Make me a channel of your peace,

            It is in pardoning that we are pardoned;

            In giving to all men that we receive; and

            In dying that we are born to eternal life.

            I now realize as I conclude that, indeed, I am one of God’s methods in making Himself present in this world.  Hence, I humbly pray that God will continue to enlighten me on how I should conduct myself so as to manifest His loving presence in whatever situation I find myself.  I more fully acknowledge the wisdom of getting involved as much as possible in projects or activities in my community which would redound to God’s Glory.

by: Buddy Cagurangan

September 11, 2011