LIFE AS I SEE IT

               “LIFE AS I SEE IT”.  This is the subject matter in my mind as I lay down in silence as recommended in the ANAWIM WAY Booklet in observance of HOLY SATURDAY, which the Church commemorates as the ”Great Sabbath Rest”.  The Church says that on this day – Holy Saturday – Christ was silent in the tomb, and so she recommends  it as a “day of silence” for everyone.

            I was then reflecting on my own life and asked myself: “Why has God given me this life?”  I believe that LIFE is a GIFT from God.  I do believe too that LIFE is a GREAT MYSTERY which only GOD can fully comprehend.  Somehow, however,  God has given me a mind to be able to understand an aspect of my life and see my significance in God’s reason for creating me.

            I see some kind of a pattern in the events of my life.  I may say it is a pattern that made me a “STARTER”.  I recall the following events wherein I served as the ‘starter’:

1.    I was one of the first elementary pupils who graduated after completing the sixth grade.

2.    I was the first one who was admitted as a novice by the Congregation of  the Immaculate Heart of Mary (CICM) and could have been the first Filipino to be ordained a CICM priest.

3.    I was the first Office Manager of the Knights of Columbus Fraternal Association of the Philippines (KCFAPI).

4.    I was one of the first six graduates of Ateneo de Manila University who obtained the degree of  Master in Business Administration (MBA).

5.    I was the First College Dean that started the Divine Word College in Urdaneta, Pangasinan.

6.    I was the one who opened the Course in Master of Business Administation at Divine Word College in Laoag City.

7.    I was the one whom the Government of Cagayan has appointed to serve as the first Assistant Provincial Development Coordinator .

8.    I  started the MBA  Course at St. Paul University of Tuguegarao.

9.    Together with Sister Adele Bonzon, SPC,  I organized the SPU Multi-Purpose Cooperative which has just celebrated its Silver Annivesary.

10. I was the first layman who was appointed to serve as an Archdiocesan Catechetical Coordinator and served for 18 years.

11. I, with Rev. Fr. Ricardo Baccay, now an Auxiliary Bishop of Tuguegarao,  started a scheme of covering all paid catechists with the Social Security System (SSS) of the government.

12. I, together with some relatives, led in the organization of the Association of Birung’s Clan (ABC).

The foregoing  events make me believe that God gave me the Gift of Life that I may somehow  serve as a ‘starter’ in some worthwhile endeavors which he blesses with his graces.  My personal experience convinces me that God has a plan in creating me and in every human being in this world, and this is what makes the life of everyone in this world a GIFT that should be treasured and used in accordance with HIS DIVINE WILL.

by: Buddy Cagurangan

March 30, 2013

The Cross of Christ

“THE CROSS OF CHRIST”  is the “MYSTERY OF GOD’S LOVE FOR MAN”. This is the insight that came to me as I was reflecting on the Lord’s Passion as narrated in the Gospel of Luke 23:1-49. 

In a way, my mind  was  wrestling with a big question: “WHY SHOULD CHRIST, THE SON OF GOD, ALLOW HIMSELF TO BE TORTURED, CRUCIFIED AND PUT TO DEATH?”   As God He has all the power to defend himself and even wipe out all those who wanted to harm him.  He, however, simply refrained from using the power of his divinity.  This somehow puzzled me. 

In reading the Gospel of St. John, however, I came across a statement of Christ which reads: “There is no greater love than this, ‘to give one’s life’ for his friends.” (Jn. 15:13)  Somehow these words gave me a clue in trying to understand the significance of the Cross of Christ.  Indeed,  it is a Mystery of God’s Love for man. And in the Gospel of St. John (3:16) we read: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have life everlasting.”

Reflecting on the above mentioned scriptural verses,  I somehow see an essential dimension of love which is called ‘SACRIFICE’.  The act of loving entails an act of sacrifice, and the greatest sacrifice that one can give is ‘laying down one’s life’ for the beloved.  This then must be the reason why Christ willingly allowed Himself to be humiliated, tortured, crucified and put to death and thus, lay down His life, because of His love for men.

Following this example of Christ, many Christians have actually laid down their life for love of Christ and died as martyrs.  Recently, we have our own countryman, Pedro Calungsod, who has been canonized a Saint for giving up his life for the sake of his faith in Christ.   

While there are some who are given the opportunity to make the sacrifice of dying for love of Christ, I believe that all of us Christians are challenged to live our faith for love of Christ. Christ said: “If anyone wishes to be my disciple, let him deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow me.” (Lk. 9:23).

For me to “take up one’s cross daily” is one of the many challenges  in one’s everyday life which call for some kind of sacrifice in one way or another. These to me are what I consider as ‘daily crosses’ which could  gladly be borne  to manifest  love.

by: Buddy Cagurangan

March 24, 2013