A MEANINGFUL LIFE

               “STRIVE TO LIVE A MEANINGFUL LIFE AND NOT A COMFORTABLE LIFE”.

          This thought which I have been pondering in my mind for the past few days challenges me. Why? Because it has kept me doing everyday whatever I have to do with my whole mind, my whole heart, and with all my strength.

          As I sometimes experience physical weakness due perhaps to  being  83 years old, I tend to just take things easy and excuse myself from getting involved in commitments that require some sacrifices.  In short, I want to live a comfortable life.

          It seems that this desire to live a comfortable life is what everyone wants.  For this reason it is axiomatic that everyone, as he grows older, looks forward to a retirement plan wherein he could enjoy the rest of his life.

          Pondering on the challenge, I asked myself these questions: “What am I living for?”  “Am I here just to enjoy life?”  “What is the reason for my existence in this world?” These questions made me realize that there must be a purpose for my existence; that this purpose is what gives MEANING TO MY LIFE.  Hence, my life should be focused on this purpose in whatever situation I find myself.

          In general, the purpose of life is TO KNOW, LOVE & SERVE GOD. This is the Church teaching that is enunciated in catechism books.  I believe, however, that everyone has to make a concrete commitment on how to serve God in his own life. 

          In my case, the concrete commitment I have made is TO BRING CHRIST TO EVERY HOME WITHIN MY REACH because  I  believe that CHRIST is the SAVIOR OF THE WORLD, that  HE IS THE WAY, THE TRUTH AND THE LIFE. (John 14:6). 

          At present, in the City of Tuguegarao where I live, my way of  bringing Christ to every home is through  GOSPEL SHARING and the BLOCK ROSARY DEVOTION.  During this month of October,  conducting the Block Rosary Devotion every day in our barangay, Centro 07, I find that it has been a powerful way of making Christ Jesus and Mother Mary alive in the hearts of men.  Because of this I have in mind to propose to my co-lay leaders in our barangay to continue this para-liturgical practice throughout the whole year.  Hopefully this will lead towards the enduring formation of Basic Ecclesial Communities (BEC) which is the Trust of the Church in the Philippines today – this being the NEW WAY OF BEING CHURCH.

          Relying on the grace of God, I hope to have the courage to pursue this commitment despite all the sacrifices it may entail so as to make my LIFE really MEANINGFUL.

By: Buddy Cagurangan

October 30, 2011