God's Children

          “WE ARE GOD’S CHILDREN, NOT HIS SERVANTS!”  This is the message of the Parable of the Prodigal Son. (Luke 15:11-32)

          Listening to the homily of our parish priest, Rev. Fr. Gerard Ariston Perez, at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass this morning of March 2, 2013, I got a deeper understanding of the message that our Lord Jesus Christ wanted to convey when He narrated the Parable of the Prodigal Son.

            I used to share in my reflections of this parable that God loves each and everyone of us unconditionally.  But why?  The homily of Father Gerry gave me the very reason for it, and that is: “BECAUSE GOD IS OUR FATHER AND WE ARE HIS CHILDREN, NOT HIS SERVANTS.”

            In his analysis of the attitudes of the two sons, Father Gerry brought out their misconception of their relationship with their father.  The younger son, when he decided to return to his father, asked that he be admitted no longer as a son but as a servant.  The father, however, replied by giving him a robe, a ring, a pair of shoes and even a big celebration, which are clear signs that he is welcoming him not as a servant but as a son.   The elder son too, when he refused to join the celebration because it was unfair that his father was welcoming his brother with such a big feast, killing a fatted calf, whereas he never got even a kid goat to celebrate with his friends, got the answer: “My son, you are always with me, and everything I have is yours.  But this brother of yours was dead, and has come back to life. He was lost and is found.  And for that we had to celebrate and rejoice.” (Lk.15:31-32)

            The reason then for God’s unconditional love for each and everyone of us is because He created us to be His children, not His servants.  This was confirmed by our Lord Jesus Christ when in teaching us how to pray He began with these words: “Our Father, Who art in heaven” (Matt.6:9)

            This realization of being a CHILD of GOD and not just a Servant fills me with joy and an indescribable  feeling  of gratitude for such a great privilege.  Thinking of God as my Father, Who is  the Supreme Being in this world, on whom everything depends, for without Him nothing can exist, I am at a lost for words to adequately manifest my love in return for His unconditional love for me.

by: Buddy Cagurangan

March 2, 2013   

Focus on God

“FOCUS ON GOD”.  This is the simple guide that came to my mind as I prayed during one of my visits to the Blessed Sacrament at the Adoration Chapel of the Saint Peter’s Cathedral Parish in Tuguegarao City.

As I was reviewing in my mind the many events that I went through in the past 84 years of my life I was longing for some simple guide to direct me in living the rest of my life here on earth.   The answer I got is: “FOCUS ON GOD”.

I then reflected on what I should do in order to follow this guide and make my life truly focused on God.  The insights I got made me dwell on the three Theological Virtues of FAITH, HOPE and LOVE.

1.    FAITH:  I have to make an unwavering decision based on my conviction that there truly exists a SUPREME BEING Who is All-Knowing, All-Powerful,  All-Loving,  and on Whom I depend entirely for my existence, for without Him I would simply be nothing.  This is a decision that should permeate my whole being and make me always aware of my complete dependence on God.

2.    HOPE:  Since God is infinitely Good, I should trust in whatever He has  in store for me.  Life is a great mystery and there are many things I may never be able to comprehend, but the virtue of hope makes me confident that everything will turn out well for me as long as  God is with me.

3.    LOVE: With deep gratitude for all the blessings that God has bestowed on me, I should manifest my love by surrendering myself completely to Him and allow Him to use me as He pleases.  Hence, my constant prayer is: “Lord, here I am, I come to do your Will!”   I should dedicate all my life in “DOING THE WILL OF GOD”,  for this is the reason for my existence.

To “FOCUS ON GOD” I then  have to  faithfully practice in my daily  life these three theological virtues of FAITH, HOPE and LOVE.

by: Buddy Cagurangan

Feb. 24, 2013