“THE CHURCH SHOULD BE LIKE GOD”. This was the opening statement of Rev. Fr. Catalino G. Arevalo, SJ when he gave a talk on the “Vision of the Church” at the 2nd Plenary Council of the Philippines held at San Carlos Pastoral Formation Complex, Makati City, Metro Manila, from January 20 to February 17, 1991.
He then elaborated on the word GOD which in Latin is D E U S.
D – stands for DIVERSITY. In God there is a Diversity of Persons: God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit, each different from the others. To God the Father is attributed the Work of Creation, to God the Son the Work of Redemption, and to God the Holy Spirit the Work of Sanctification.
E – stands for EQUALITY. Each Person is equal to the others in dignity. They are all God.
U – stands for UNITY. There is, however, only ONE GOD. This is the great Mystery of the Blessed Trinity wherein in ONE GOD there are three DIVINE PERSONS.
S – stands for SHARING. God is Love. Out of love they share their whole being with each other.
“In like manner”, Fr. Arevalo says: “we as a Church should be like God, where there is diversity, equality, unity and sharing”
There is DIVERSITY OF FUNCTIONS in the Church. The Pope, the Bishops, the Priests, the Religious, the Laity, differ from each other in their functions in the life of the Church.
There is EQUALITY IN DIGNITY. All are CHILDREN of GOD. Therefore, we have only one and the same dignity.
There should be UNITY in the Church. As children of God we should love one another. True love binds us together and makes us ONE.
There should be a SHARING of RESOURCES. To love means to give of oneself to others. Hence, out of love we, the children of God, should share our time, talents and treasures to each other.
This is what the Church should be.
Looking at what we, the Church in the Philippines, are actually doing, this Vision of the Church is still very much a dream.
One of the obstacles that has been hindering the attainment of this vision is the lack of active participation of the laity in the life of the Church. In the Acts and Decrees of PCP II, it says: “In the Philippines, participation largely means enabling the laity to participate more fully in the life of the Church and in its task of mission. That life and task have been, for too long, looked at almost exclusively as the special responsibility of the appointed pastors, the priests and bishops of the Church. This narrow understanding has effectively reduced the laity to being mere objects of pastoral care, passive and compliant recipients of the clergy’s evangelizing effort. In truth, the lay faithful are, by right, subjects of evangelization, active workers of the Gospel, tasked with basically the same mission as the Church’s pastors.” (PCP II, Part II, No. 99).
It is further stated in PCP II, Part II, Nos.100-101: “Therefore we need to emphasize today the insights of Vatican II on co-responsibility, shared responsibility in the mission of the entire Church. The movement must henceforth be towards the actual and active sharing of responsibilities among pope and bishops, clergy and religious, lay men and women. And if heavier emphasis is laid on the laity now, it is not to set them against the hierarchical part of the Church nor to form them into a so-called “Church of the People”, understood as having no place for hierarchical authority and office. It is rather to restore their neglected role of evangelizers, to enable them to exercise that role more fully and efficaciously for the spread of Christ’s Kingdom. When we participatively share charism and ministry for the one mission, we become a Church of Communion in truth and in deed. It is a veritably new way, at least for us of this century, of being Church.”
May we all heed this admonition of PCP II so as to become a Church like God.
by Salvador "Buddy" Cagurangan
Date: Nov. 22, 2009
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Sunday, November 15, 2009
DESTINY – A CHOICE
“DESTINY – A CHOICE, NOT A MATTER OF CHANCE”. These words struck me when I went to the Office of RBC Cable Master System at Luna St., Tuguegarao City to pay my bill.
I pondered on the truthfulness of this statement and would like to share my viewpoints.
Destiny, I believe is a Vision of one’s reason for living. As Christians we believe that we have been created to live with God forever as His adopted children. To attain this destiny we have to attune our way of life so as to make it pleasing in the eyes of God. In other words, we have to live a life of holiness and become saints, living in union with God.
One of the greatest gifts that man has received from God is the Gift of Freedom. With this gift man is given the capability to make decisions that would bring about what is good for him and for others. Used properly it will certainly enable man to attain his true destiny. But if it is abused and considered like a license to do whatever one wants, then it can cause his destruction and ultimate ruin. Hence, one has to know how to use this Gift of Freedom properly.
First of all, one has to know and be convinced that he has been created and destined to live with God forever. Secondly, this conviction should be manifested in the way one lives. And whatever may be the difficulties, problems and trials in carrying out this conviction, one must have the courage and perseverance to stick to it.
“He who has a WHY for living can bear with almost any HOW”, says Mr. Victor Frank in a book written by him. In that book he narrates how people who were physically frail were able to survive the rigors of prison life rather than those of a stronger built. This shows that the will to live due to a reason for living can enable one to withstand the hardships or difficulties of life.
Life in this world, however, is full of temptations, trails and problems which oftentimes make it difficult for us to do what our conscience would consider as the Will of God and thus succumb to following what is more pleasing to oneself. This is where the strength of our Faith is tested. This is where our “Why” for living would come out strong enough to overcome whatever trials there may be.
As Christians we have been given a Vision that spells out our Destiny. It is a Destiny that gives meaning to our existence here on earth. It is a Destiny that tells us that we come from a Creator, called God, Who created us out of love, and we are expected to go back to Him as we use our gift of freedom to respond to His love with our love.
It is then, a matter of Choice on our part, if we decide to reach the Destiny that God has planned for us. This decision, however, has to be carried out despite all the trials that may come our way in our everyday life. It must be a decision to respond to the Love of God by loving Him with all our mind, with all our heart, with all our soul, and with all our strength.
Indeed, our Destiny is a matter of Choice, and not a matter of Chance.
By: Salvador "Buddy" Cagurangan
Nov. 15, 2009
I pondered on the truthfulness of this statement and would like to share my viewpoints.
Destiny, I believe is a Vision of one’s reason for living. As Christians we believe that we have been created to live with God forever as His adopted children. To attain this destiny we have to attune our way of life so as to make it pleasing in the eyes of God. In other words, we have to live a life of holiness and become saints, living in union with God.
One of the greatest gifts that man has received from God is the Gift of Freedom. With this gift man is given the capability to make decisions that would bring about what is good for him and for others. Used properly it will certainly enable man to attain his true destiny. But if it is abused and considered like a license to do whatever one wants, then it can cause his destruction and ultimate ruin. Hence, one has to know how to use this Gift of Freedom properly.
First of all, one has to know and be convinced that he has been created and destined to live with God forever. Secondly, this conviction should be manifested in the way one lives. And whatever may be the difficulties, problems and trials in carrying out this conviction, one must have the courage and perseverance to stick to it.
“He who has a WHY for living can bear with almost any HOW”, says Mr. Victor Frank in a book written by him. In that book he narrates how people who were physically frail were able to survive the rigors of prison life rather than those of a stronger built. This shows that the will to live due to a reason for living can enable one to withstand the hardships or difficulties of life.
Life in this world, however, is full of temptations, trails and problems which oftentimes make it difficult for us to do what our conscience would consider as the Will of God and thus succumb to following what is more pleasing to oneself. This is where the strength of our Faith is tested. This is where our “Why” for living would come out strong enough to overcome whatever trials there may be.
As Christians we have been given a Vision that spells out our Destiny. It is a Destiny that gives meaning to our existence here on earth. It is a Destiny that tells us that we come from a Creator, called God, Who created us out of love, and we are expected to go back to Him as we use our gift of freedom to respond to His love with our love.
It is then, a matter of Choice on our part, if we decide to reach the Destiny that God has planned for us. This decision, however, has to be carried out despite all the trials that may come our way in our everyday life. It must be a decision to respond to the Love of God by loving Him with all our mind, with all our heart, with all our soul, and with all our strength.
Indeed, our Destiny is a matter of Choice, and not a matter of Chance.
By: Salvador "Buddy" Cagurangan
Nov. 15, 2009
Sunday, November 8, 2009
THE MYSTERY OF THE RESURRECTION
On the Feasts of All Saints (Nov. 1) and All Souls (Nov.2), our cemeteries are filled with people visiting their beloved dead in their graves. For many, what fills their minds and hearts are the fond memories they had with those who had gone ahead. Hardly are there those who envision the glorious resurrection of their dead when this is one of the tenets of our Christian Faith which should fill us with joy. Such faith we profess every time we pray the “Apostles Creed” and proclaim “the resurrection of the dead”. How and when shall this happen?
Rev. Fr. Manuel V. Francisco, S.J. in his column- “God’s Word Today”, Philippine Star, Nov. 1, 2009, gives us some enlightening thoughts on this matter. He says: “Beyond all human logic, beyond the conjectures of science, we believe that on the Last Day, God will reunite our personhood with our transformed bodies. How this glorified body will look like, we can only speculate. Nonetheless our belief is not spiritual illusion, but rather, religious faith and conviction grounded on the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ. How do we know that what God the Father has done for Jesus, He will do for us? The assumption of Mary, body and soul, into heaven is the icon of our universal destiny.”
In the letter of Paul to the Philippians (3:20) he says: “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself.”
From the foregoing, as we remember the earthly life of our dear dead, it would be very heartening also to focus on the great mystery of their resurrection as foretold in the following Scripture passages: “For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth. And the former things shall not be remembered or come to mind.” (Isaiah 65:17) and in 2 Peter 3:13, “But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells.”
Rev. Fr. Francisco further states: “The ultimate end of humanity and the world is divinization, a participation in the divine life of God: ‘we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is’. This is our faith. It is indeed too good to be true. And yet, assured us by the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Based on the premise that the God Who created this world is all-knowing and all-powerful, it is my conviction that the whole of creation will definitely have a happy ending. Hence, despite all the inevitable trials, hardships and/or sufferings that we encounter in this world, let us put all our trust in God, our Creator, Who knows what is best for each of us and in His time He will make all things beautiful.
By: Salvador "Buddy" Cagurangan
Date: Nov. 8, 2009
Rev. Fr. Manuel V. Francisco, S.J. in his column- “God’s Word Today”, Philippine Star, Nov. 1, 2009, gives us some enlightening thoughts on this matter. He says: “Beyond all human logic, beyond the conjectures of science, we believe that on the Last Day, God will reunite our personhood with our transformed bodies. How this glorified body will look like, we can only speculate. Nonetheless our belief is not spiritual illusion, but rather, religious faith and conviction grounded on the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ. How do we know that what God the Father has done for Jesus, He will do for us? The assumption of Mary, body and soul, into heaven is the icon of our universal destiny.”
In the letter of Paul to the Philippians (3:20) he says: “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself.”
From the foregoing, as we remember the earthly life of our dear dead, it would be very heartening also to focus on the great mystery of their resurrection as foretold in the following Scripture passages: “For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth. And the former things shall not be remembered or come to mind.” (Isaiah 65:17) and in 2 Peter 3:13, “But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells.”
Rev. Fr. Francisco further states: “The ultimate end of humanity and the world is divinization, a participation in the divine life of God: ‘we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is’. This is our faith. It is indeed too good to be true. And yet, assured us by the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Based on the premise that the God Who created this world is all-knowing and all-powerful, it is my conviction that the whole of creation will definitely have a happy ending. Hence, despite all the inevitable trials, hardships and/or sufferings that we encounter in this world, let us put all our trust in God, our Creator, Who knows what is best for each of us and in His time He will make all things beautiful.
By: Salvador "Buddy" Cagurangan
Date: Nov. 8, 2009
Sunday, November 1, 2009
WHAT IS A PILGRIMAGE?
In an interview with Most Rev. Socrates Villegas, Archbishop Elect of the Archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan, as published in the Philippine Star of Oct. 25, 2009, this question was posed to him. “What is the significance of a pilgrimage to modern-day Filipinos?”
The answer he gave has further deepened my understanding of this religious activity. And so I quote: “A pilgrimage is actually a departure from the self to God. Sometimes it is a departure from comfort to a moment of sacrifice, like the pilgrimage of the Way of the Cross. The important thing to keep in mind is that God is walking with us and God will be our destiny. For me, however, the most important pilgrimage that we need to make is not to the holy sights, but the pilgrimage to Jesus in our midst. In other words, we don’t need money to make a pilgrimage. What is important is for you to have love. So from your house, you can make a pilgrimage to a government hospital to visit a sick person, or someone who has been forgotten by his loved ones. Or to an orphanage, or to a home for the aged. That is also a pilgrimage.”
Reflecting on the answer of Archbishop Socrates there are four important points that further enlightened me and broadened my concept of a pilgrimage.
1. It is a departure of self to God.
2. God is walking with us and He is our destiny.
3. The most important pilgrimage is to Jesus in our midst.
4. Love is what we must have to make a pilgrimage.
The first point stresses an attitude of unselfishness, of dying to oneself. This I believe is what our Lord Jesus Christ meant when He said: “Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.” (Jn.12:24) In my understanding one has to give up any vestige of selfishness and make a complete surrender of oneself to the Will of God. To partly fulfill the call of dying to oneself, I have made it a habit to pray every time I visit the Lord Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament so that with His grace I can heartily say: “Here I am Lord, I come to do Your Will.” and then go out of my way to be of help to whoever God sends my way.
The second point makes me aware that God, indeed, is with us. He is travelling with us and is our final destination. It means that we are never alone, because God in His infinite goodness is ever ready to help us. This reminds me of the story of a man in the “Footprints on the Sand”. Given the privilege of looking back at his past life and seeing two pairs of footprints he was told that the other pair of footprints belongs to the Lord. Then he noticed that when he was in great trouble there was only one pair of footprints. So he questioned: Why, Lord, have You abandoned me when I needed You most? The Lord answered: “When you were in great trouble it was then that I carried you in my arms.” Verily, God never abandons anyone.
The third point makes me realize that Jesus Christ is very much alive in this world, for He said: “I am with you always until the end of this world.”(Mt.28:20) By the power of the Holy Spirit He lives in us and therefore He should be the Center of our life. Like St. Paul we can strive to say: “It is no longer I that live but Christ Who lives and reigns in me.”(Gal. 2:20)
The fourth point which is love gives the very reason for our existence. We were created out of love and our life can only be meaningful if we love. The essence of love is unselfishness which is actually the opposite of sin, the essence of which is selfishness. This brings us back to the first point which requires a departure of self to God.
In a nutshell, a pilgrimage is a journey towards our permanent address- HEAVEN, where we shall live with God forever.
By: Salvador "Buddy" Cagurangan
Date: Nov. 1, 2009
Sunday, October 25, 2009
WE ARE PILGRIMS ON EARTH
To live meaningfully on earth one has to have strong convictions on “WHO” he is and “WHY” he is. These convictions are usually the result of one’s personal experiences, readings and interactions with people.
One of the statements that keep lingering in my mind is from the Dutch Catechism which says: “We live together in this world; we ourselves a part of this world; but endowed with some spirituality.”
While we Christians have been taught by Christ thru the Church Officialdom that we are children of God and our destiny is to be with God forever, one has still to grapple with these two fundamental questions and elicit an answer that he has mentally digested and made a part of himself.
As for me, the image of a PILGRIMAGE has been a constant inspiration. Seeing people travelling together towards a common destination and helping each other to be able to reach their destiny is, indeed, very heartening. Because of this I have viewed life on earth as a PILGRIMAGE – each and everyone of us travelling.
Where are we going? This is a question that people answer in different ways, depending on their points of view. As for me, time and again I have reflected on the tenets of our Christian Faith and at this point in my life, I have arrived at some convictions which I am ready to die for, if necessary, by the grace of God.
Briefly these are my convictions.
1. The world we live in must have been created by a Supreme Being we call God, Who is all knowing and all powerful.
2. We all came into existence thru the power of this Supreme Being, and we can remain in existence only thru His continued sustaining power.
3. At present there is only one planet, we call the Earth, where all of us live.
4. In God’s infinite Goodness He has destined us to live with Him forever.
5. To live with God means to really love Him.
6. Since love can only be given freely, God has given us the Gift of Freedom to be able to love Him in return.
7. Our life on earth is then a time for us to decide on whether to love or not to love God in return.
8. Those who have made up their minds to love God in return are on a Pilgrimage towards their predetermined destiny – To live with God forever.
9. We who have made this choice are on a Pilgrimage to Heaven.
10. As Pilgrims, it is a corporate responsibility for us to help each other reach our destiny.
Meditating on the aforesaid convictions, I have been challenged to live in such a way as to help, with the grace of God, everyone who comes in contact with me to reach his destiny. Deep in my heart I believe that anyone who in one way or another has given a helping hand to someone so as to enable him to reach his destiny may be assured of his eternal salvation.
By: Salvador "Buddy" Cagurangan
Date: October 25, 2009
Sunday, October 18, 2009
WHERE IS GOD?
“WHERE IS GOD?” This was the cry of a little girl while typhoon “Ondoy” was pouring torrential rains that flooded their residence up to the roof top. It was, indeed, a cry for help.
Mr. Isagani A. Cruz in his column at the Philippine Daily Inquirer, dated October 11, 2009, says: “ A look at our present situation seems to suggest that the little girl’s searching question has denied us His protection. We seem to be helpless in the moral and material problems caused by Ondoy and Pepeng. Thousands of lives have been claimed by inundations and landslides, depriving parents of their children, families of their homes and possessions, sons and daughters of their hope for a better life.”
From my readings, however, I have learned that God’s methods are people. God uses people to come to the rescue of those whose lives are being exposed to dangers. While not all may be rescued, the number of those whose lives are spared thru the help of other people would still be the great majority.
And so, Mr. Isagani Cruz further states: “God has united us in coping with our common problems. God has given us the gift of unity in resisting the holocaust that is threatening all our people. All our people include the Christians – the Catholics and Protestants alike – and those of other faiths, the Muslims, the Jews, the Buddhists, and the followers of Hare Krishna. Hallelujah for the men and women of the Philippines who are obeying the Will of God in helping their fellow Filipinos in distress like the Good Samaritan in the Bible. This is probably your answer, little girl.”
Time and again, I have personally experienced this loving presence of God in my life. Hence, when I reached the age of 76 I wrote “A Thanksgiving Memoir to God”. As a Foreword to that Memoir I said: “This is a humble attempt to put into writing the deep feelings of gratitude that are welling in my heart for all the blessings that God has graciously bestowed on me during my earthly sojourn through the instrumentality of persons who came along my path and helped me find a meaning to my life. I hope that those who will read this memoir, especially those whose names shall be mentioned, if they are still alive, will praise God for having been used by Him as channels of His bountiful blessings on me. May this memoir, therefore, serve as my personal testimony to the loving presence of God in my life which I believe He extends to every human being in this world, regardless of race, religion or nationality, for His love is universal, unconditional and has no favorites”. (Deut. 10:17; Gal.2:6)
God, therefore, is here with us in this world. People are His representatives or instruments in answering our prayers. When people, enlightened and empowered by His grace make themselves available to serve the needs of their fellowmen, it is God, indeed, Who is in action thru them.
By: Salvador "Buddy" Cagurangan
Date: Oct. 18, 2009
Mr. Isagani A. Cruz in his column at the Philippine Daily Inquirer, dated October 11, 2009, says: “ A look at our present situation seems to suggest that the little girl’s searching question has denied us His protection. We seem to be helpless in the moral and material problems caused by Ondoy and Pepeng. Thousands of lives have been claimed by inundations and landslides, depriving parents of their children, families of their homes and possessions, sons and daughters of their hope for a better life.”
From my readings, however, I have learned that God’s methods are people. God uses people to come to the rescue of those whose lives are being exposed to dangers. While not all may be rescued, the number of those whose lives are spared thru the help of other people would still be the great majority.
And so, Mr. Isagani Cruz further states: “God has united us in coping with our common problems. God has given us the gift of unity in resisting the holocaust that is threatening all our people. All our people include the Christians – the Catholics and Protestants alike – and those of other faiths, the Muslims, the Jews, the Buddhists, and the followers of Hare Krishna. Hallelujah for the men and women of the Philippines who are obeying the Will of God in helping their fellow Filipinos in distress like the Good Samaritan in the Bible. This is probably your answer, little girl.”
Time and again, I have personally experienced this loving presence of God in my life. Hence, when I reached the age of 76 I wrote “A Thanksgiving Memoir to God”. As a Foreword to that Memoir I said: “This is a humble attempt to put into writing the deep feelings of gratitude that are welling in my heart for all the blessings that God has graciously bestowed on me during my earthly sojourn through the instrumentality of persons who came along my path and helped me find a meaning to my life. I hope that those who will read this memoir, especially those whose names shall be mentioned, if they are still alive, will praise God for having been used by Him as channels of His bountiful blessings on me. May this memoir, therefore, serve as my personal testimony to the loving presence of God in my life which I believe He extends to every human being in this world, regardless of race, religion or nationality, for His love is universal, unconditional and has no favorites”. (Deut. 10:17; Gal.2:6)
God, therefore, is here with us in this world. People are His representatives or instruments in answering our prayers. When people, enlightened and empowered by His grace make themselves available to serve the needs of their fellowmen, it is God, indeed, Who is in action thru them.
By: Salvador "Buddy" Cagurangan
Date: Oct. 18, 2009
Sunday, October 11, 2009
IS THERE A PURGATORY?
IS THERE A PURGATORY?
This was the question that my professor in theology asked me to dwell on when I was a seminarian at St. Francis de Sales Seminary at Lipa City in 1953.
I would like to share the results of my study on this matter.
The first one to come out openly against the doctrine of Purgatory was Martin Luther, an Augustinian Friar, when on the eve of All Saints Day, 1517, he posted a list of 95 propositions on the church door in Wittenburg, Germany. His denial of purgatory was a logical consequence of his doctrine that we are saved by faith alone.
In the General Council of Trent in 1563 there was a Decree on Purgatory which reads as follows: “The Catholic Church, instructed by the Holy Spirit and in accordance with sacred Scripture and the ancient Tradition of the Fathers, has taught in the holy Councils that there is a purgatory, and that the souls detained there are helped by the acts of intercession (suffragia) of the faithful, and especially by the acceptable sacrifice of the altar. Therefore this holy Council commands the bishops to strive diligently that the sound doctrine of purgatory, handed down by the Holy Fathers and the sacred Councils, be believed by the faithful and that it be adhered to, taught and preached everywhere.”
In the Old Testament (2 Mc. 12:46) it says: “This was the reason why Judas offered this sacrifice for the dead, so that the dead might be pardoned for their sin.”
In the New Testament (1 Cor. 3:15) it says: “…but if your work becomes ashes, you will pay for it. You will be saved, but it will be as if passing through fire.”
“Salvation through Faith Alone” is actually the basic ground for denying the existence of Purgatory.
In the Letter of James, however, we read the following: “Brothers, what good is it to profess faith without showing works? Such faith has no power to save you. If a brother or sister is in need of clothes or food and one of you says, ‘May things go well for you; be warm and satisfied’, without attending to their material needs, what good is that? So it is for faith without deeds: it is totally dead. … So you see, a person obtains holiness by his deeds and not by faith alone….So, just as the body is dead without its spirit, so faith, without deeds, is also dead.” (James 2:14-26)
The Catechism for Filipino Catholics says: “Purgatory means ‘the state of final purification’ so that those who died in the state of grace but are weighed down by the remnants of selfishness and sin, may be purified and thus enter into everlasting glory with the Lord.” (2104)
Here in the Philippines on November 1-2 of every year, we witness huge crowds of people visiting the graves of their beloved dead and praying for the eternal repose of their souls. This to me is a phenomenon which manifests the deep faith of the great majority of our people that somehow in God’s infinite goodness and mercy they can still do something to hasten or mitigate any temporal punishment that a soul has to undergo in order to be fully cleansed and be worthy to be admitted into the Kingdom of God where there is everlasting peace, love and happiness.
by: Salvador "Buddy" Cagurangan
Date: Oct. 11, 2009
This was the question that my professor in theology asked me to dwell on when I was a seminarian at St. Francis de Sales Seminary at Lipa City in 1953.
I would like to share the results of my study on this matter.
The first one to come out openly against the doctrine of Purgatory was Martin Luther, an Augustinian Friar, when on the eve of All Saints Day, 1517, he posted a list of 95 propositions on the church door in Wittenburg, Germany. His denial of purgatory was a logical consequence of his doctrine that we are saved by faith alone.
In the General Council of Trent in 1563 there was a Decree on Purgatory which reads as follows: “The Catholic Church, instructed by the Holy Spirit and in accordance with sacred Scripture and the ancient Tradition of the Fathers, has taught in the holy Councils that there is a purgatory, and that the souls detained there are helped by the acts of intercession (suffragia) of the faithful, and especially by the acceptable sacrifice of the altar. Therefore this holy Council commands the bishops to strive diligently that the sound doctrine of purgatory, handed down by the Holy Fathers and the sacred Councils, be believed by the faithful and that it be adhered to, taught and preached everywhere.”
In the Old Testament (2 Mc. 12:46) it says: “This was the reason why Judas offered this sacrifice for the dead, so that the dead might be pardoned for their sin.”
In the New Testament (1 Cor. 3:15) it says: “…but if your work becomes ashes, you will pay for it. You will be saved, but it will be as if passing through fire.”
“Salvation through Faith Alone” is actually the basic ground for denying the existence of Purgatory.
In the Letter of James, however, we read the following: “Brothers, what good is it to profess faith without showing works? Such faith has no power to save you. If a brother or sister is in need of clothes or food and one of you says, ‘May things go well for you; be warm and satisfied’, without attending to their material needs, what good is that? So it is for faith without deeds: it is totally dead. … So you see, a person obtains holiness by his deeds and not by faith alone….So, just as the body is dead without its spirit, so faith, without deeds, is also dead.” (James 2:14-26)
The Catechism for Filipino Catholics says: “Purgatory means ‘the state of final purification’ so that those who died in the state of grace but are weighed down by the remnants of selfishness and sin, may be purified and thus enter into everlasting glory with the Lord.” (2104)
Here in the Philippines on November 1-2 of every year, we witness huge crowds of people visiting the graves of their beloved dead and praying for the eternal repose of their souls. This to me is a phenomenon which manifests the deep faith of the great majority of our people that somehow in God’s infinite goodness and mercy they can still do something to hasten or mitigate any temporal punishment that a soul has to undergo in order to be fully cleansed and be worthy to be admitted into the Kingdom of God where there is everlasting peace, love and happiness.
by: Salvador "Buddy" Cagurangan
Date: Oct. 11, 2009
Sunday, October 4, 2009
THE ROSARY
October is a month specially dedicated to our Blessed Mother Mary. It is a Christian tradition to pray the Holy Rosary not only individually but also in groups of families coming together. In practically every parish in our country, the Philippines, this is the devotion that is being practiced.
There are two questions which I would like to dwell on in this matter. First, “Why pray the Rosary?”. And secondly, “How should we pray the Rosary?”
To the first question, these are some of the reasons:
1. It is a very powerful prayer for intercession.
a. In the naval battle of Lepanto, which occurred on October 7, 1571, the victory of the Christians over the Moslems was attributed to the praying of the Rosary.
b. Sometime in October of 1616 at the shores of Manila Bay, 15 Dutch vessels invaded us. Though outnumbered with only 3 Spanish ships we overpowered them thru the intercession of Blessed Mother Mary as the faithful and soldiers prayed the Rosary.
2. It is a prayer advocated by our Blessed Mother Mary.
In her miraculous appearances at Lourdes of France and at Fatima of Portugal, our Blessed Mother Mary enjoined the praying of the Rosary to bring about peace in the world.
3. It is a prayer endorsed by several Popes.
a. Pope Leo XIII on Sept. 1, 1883, in his Encyclical “Supremi Apostolatus Officio” proposed the Rosary as an effective spiritual weapon against the evils afflicting society.
b. Blessed Pope John XXIII in his Apostolic Epistle on Sept. 29, 1961, endorsed the Rosary for the success of the Second Vatican Council.
c. Pope Paul VI, in his Apostolic Exhortation “Marialis Cultus”dated Feb. 2, 1974, emphasized the Rosary’s evangelical character and its Christocentric inspiration.
d. Pope John Paul II in his Apostolic Letter “Rosarium Virginis Mariae” issued on Oct. 16, 2002, said that the Rosary is a “prayer of great significance, destined to bring forth a harvest of holiness”.
3. It is an effective means of obtaining one’s salvation.
Blessed Bartolo Longo, considered a True Apostle of the Rosary, heard an inspiration in the depths of his heart which says: “Whoever spreads the Rosary is saved!”
To the second question, Pope John Paul II says that the Rosary is “an exquisitely contemplative prayer”. He further says: “Without this contemplative dimension, it would lose its meaning, as Pope Paul VI clearly pointed out: Without contemplation, the Rosary is a body without a soul, and its recitation runs the risk of becoming a mechanical repetition of formulas, in violation of the admonition of Christ: ‘In praying do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think they will be heard for their many words’ (Mt. 6:7). By its nature the recitation of the Rosary calls for a quiet rhythm and a lingering pace, helping the individual to meditate on the mysteries of the Lord’s life as seen through the eyes of her who was closest to the Lord. In this way the unfathomable riches of these mysteries are disclosed.”
The Rosary, therefore, if prayed meditatively, will enable us to grow in our knowledge of Christ and thus bring us closer to Him thru the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary.
By: Salvador "Buddy" Cagurangan
Date: Oct. 4, 2009
There are two questions which I would like to dwell on in this matter. First, “Why pray the Rosary?”. And secondly, “How should we pray the Rosary?”
To the first question, these are some of the reasons:
1. It is a very powerful prayer for intercession.
a. In the naval battle of Lepanto, which occurred on October 7, 1571, the victory of the Christians over the Moslems was attributed to the praying of the Rosary.
b. Sometime in October of 1616 at the shores of Manila Bay, 15 Dutch vessels invaded us. Though outnumbered with only 3 Spanish ships we overpowered them thru the intercession of Blessed Mother Mary as the faithful and soldiers prayed the Rosary.
2. It is a prayer advocated by our Blessed Mother Mary.
In her miraculous appearances at Lourdes of France and at Fatima of Portugal, our Blessed Mother Mary enjoined the praying of the Rosary to bring about peace in the world.
3. It is a prayer endorsed by several Popes.
a. Pope Leo XIII on Sept. 1, 1883, in his Encyclical “Supremi Apostolatus Officio” proposed the Rosary as an effective spiritual weapon against the evils afflicting society.
b. Blessed Pope John XXIII in his Apostolic Epistle on Sept. 29, 1961, endorsed the Rosary for the success of the Second Vatican Council.
c. Pope Paul VI, in his Apostolic Exhortation “Marialis Cultus”dated Feb. 2, 1974, emphasized the Rosary’s evangelical character and its Christocentric inspiration.
d. Pope John Paul II in his Apostolic Letter “Rosarium Virginis Mariae” issued on Oct. 16, 2002, said that the Rosary is a “prayer of great significance, destined to bring forth a harvest of holiness”.
3. It is an effective means of obtaining one’s salvation.
Blessed Bartolo Longo, considered a True Apostle of the Rosary, heard an inspiration in the depths of his heart which says: “Whoever spreads the Rosary is saved!”
To the second question, Pope John Paul II says that the Rosary is “an exquisitely contemplative prayer”. He further says: “Without this contemplative dimension, it would lose its meaning, as Pope Paul VI clearly pointed out: Without contemplation, the Rosary is a body without a soul, and its recitation runs the risk of becoming a mechanical repetition of formulas, in violation of the admonition of Christ: ‘In praying do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think they will be heard for their many words’ (Mt. 6:7). By its nature the recitation of the Rosary calls for a quiet rhythm and a lingering pace, helping the individual to meditate on the mysteries of the Lord’s life as seen through the eyes of her who was closest to the Lord. In this way the unfathomable riches of these mysteries are disclosed.”
The Rosary, therefore, if prayed meditatively, will enable us to grow in our knowledge of Christ and thus bring us closer to Him thru the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary.
By: Salvador "Buddy" Cagurangan
Date: Oct. 4, 2009
Sunday, September 27, 2009
THEOLOGY-FAITH-RELIGION
Theology, Faith, Religion – these are words which are often times mentioned in discussions on religious matters.
What is the difference of each one from the other?
Based on my readings I have gathered the following:
Theology is what we know about God.
Faith is what we accept or believe of what we know.
Religion is how we live or practice what we believe.
When it comes to Theology, practically every man has some knowledge of God and His relationship to the world from what he reads, hears or experiences. One, however, does not necessarily accept whatever he reads or hears. When he accepts what he knows, then it becomes a conviction, though not may be a certainty. This is what we call Faith.
One’s faith is manifested in the way one lives. If one merely believes but does not put into practice what he believes, his faith is dead. Thus, St. James, the Apostle, says” “Faith without works is dead” (James 2:20). When one does not live what he believes in, he becomes a person with a split personality. Faith to be meaningful must therefore, be put into action in one’s everyday life.
We pride ourselves as a Catholic country, since the great majority of us (80%) subscribe to the Christian Faith. This Christian Faith tells us that we should love one another as Christ loves us. It tells us to break the cycle of evil by overcoming evil with good. It tells us to be honest, responsible and to share our time, talents and treasure for the good of our community. But, why is there so much graft and corruption in our country? Why are we considered as among the most corrupt country in the world?
I believe that the answer is simply because most of us, so-called Christians, do not live what we believe. For this reason many of us may be branded as KBLs – because we go to Church only when we are wedded (Kasal), when we are baptized or have our children baptized (Biniag), and when we die (Libing) to be blessed. We are sacramentalized but not evangelized.
The great challenge for us is to have a decent life in our country.
While the means to meet this challenge may somehow be answered politically and economically, I submit that the real answer lies in the sphere of morality – when every citizen would live according to the dictates of his conscience and abide by what our Christian Faith dictates.
Then and only then can we form communities where there is true love. And where there is true love, there will be peace and harmony in our relationships with each other; and there will be generous sharing of what we are and what we have to make our country truly great.
By: Salvador "Buddy" Cagurangan
Sep. 27, 2009
What is the difference of each one from the other?
Based on my readings I have gathered the following:
Theology is what we know about God.
Faith is what we accept or believe of what we know.
Religion is how we live or practice what we believe.
When it comes to Theology, practically every man has some knowledge of God and His relationship to the world from what he reads, hears or experiences. One, however, does not necessarily accept whatever he reads or hears. When he accepts what he knows, then it becomes a conviction, though not may be a certainty. This is what we call Faith.
One’s faith is manifested in the way one lives. If one merely believes but does not put into practice what he believes, his faith is dead. Thus, St. James, the Apostle, says” “Faith without works is dead” (James 2:20). When one does not live what he believes in, he becomes a person with a split personality. Faith to be meaningful must therefore, be put into action in one’s everyday life.
We pride ourselves as a Catholic country, since the great majority of us (80%) subscribe to the Christian Faith. This Christian Faith tells us that we should love one another as Christ loves us. It tells us to break the cycle of evil by overcoming evil with good. It tells us to be honest, responsible and to share our time, talents and treasure for the good of our community. But, why is there so much graft and corruption in our country? Why are we considered as among the most corrupt country in the world?
I believe that the answer is simply because most of us, so-called Christians, do not live what we believe. For this reason many of us may be branded as KBLs – because we go to Church only when we are wedded (Kasal), when we are baptized or have our children baptized (Biniag), and when we die (Libing) to be blessed. We are sacramentalized but not evangelized.
The great challenge for us is to have a decent life in our country.
While the means to meet this challenge may somehow be answered politically and economically, I submit that the real answer lies in the sphere of morality – when every citizen would live according to the dictates of his conscience and abide by what our Christian Faith dictates.
Then and only then can we form communities where there is true love. And where there is true love, there will be peace and harmony in our relationships with each other; and there will be generous sharing of what we are and what we have to make our country truly great.
By: Salvador "Buddy" Cagurangan
Sep. 27, 2009
Sunday, September 20, 2009
A POSTHUMOUS BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION
“THE BEST BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS ARE POSTHUMOUS”. Thus says Rev. Fr. Rufino C. Sescon Jr. in one of his articles in a book entitled: “Glimpses of Grace”.
“It is good”, he says, “when we organize our own birthday parties. But it is much better when people come to remember the day you were born even long after you are gone. It means they are so grateful that you came to their lives. It just shows that you were truly a blessing to them”.
It was on the occasion of the Birthday Celebration of our Blessed Mother Mary, September 8, that Rev. Sescon Jr. said those statements.
We have, indeed, been celebrating the Birthday of our Blessed Mother Mary since time immemorial. The blessings we have received and are still receiving thru her are countless. It was thru her that the Savior of the World, Jesus Christ, was conceived and born. It was thru her that Jesus Christ performed His first public miracle of changing water into wine at the wedding in Cana. It was in her care and protection that Jesus Christ entrusted each and everyone of us, for we form the Church which He founded. It is thru her intercession that the Church has been receiving extraordinary blessings up to this time. These blessings continue to be poured on us in various ways, especially thru her miraculous apparitions in places like Lourdes in France, Guadalupe in Mexico, Fatima in Portugal, etc. These and many more are reasons why we celebrate the Birthday of our Blessed Mother Mary.
Can we be also a blessing to people?
We are told that Christ has a “Mystical Body” which we call the Church. We, who compose the Church, are members of this Mystical Body of Christ. Just as one is concerned with every part of his body, so is Christ concerned with every one who is a member of His Mystical Body. This, I believe, is the fundamental reason why one should live a life that others can consider as a blessing for them. The source of any blessing is actually God Himself, but God can use anyone as His instrument to pour out His blessings. One has only to make himself available to be used by God by surrendering oneself like our Blessed Mother Mary and say: “Behold the servant of the Lord, be it done unto me according to The Word”. (Lk.1:38)
Since our life is a Gift from God, this Gift should be used not only for our own good but also for the good of others. For this reason God also gave us the Gift of Love, because it is only thru the power of love that we can truly do something good for others. Love can be manifested in many ways. One of the best ways, however, is thru service. Serving the needs of others is actually what Our Lord Jesus Christ meant when He said: “For I was hungry and you fed me, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me into your house. I was naked and you clothed me. I was sick and you visited me. I was in prison and you went to see me. …Truly, I say to you: whenever you did this to one of the least important of these brothers of mine, you did it for me.” (Matt. 25: 35-40
Service to others is, indeed, the great challenge of Christianity. It is a challenge that requires a strong conviction in the personal relationship of Christ with every person in this world. In other words, one has to see the ‘Face of Christ’ in each and every person served. For those who are lovable, one may just be too willing and be glad to serve their needs; but for others who may be unlovable, one would need a special grace from God to be able to fulfill this command of Christ.
By: Salvador Cagurangan
Sep. 20, 2009
“It is good”, he says, “when we organize our own birthday parties. But it is much better when people come to remember the day you were born even long after you are gone. It means they are so grateful that you came to their lives. It just shows that you were truly a blessing to them”.
It was on the occasion of the Birthday Celebration of our Blessed Mother Mary, September 8, that Rev. Sescon Jr. said those statements.
We have, indeed, been celebrating the Birthday of our Blessed Mother Mary since time immemorial. The blessings we have received and are still receiving thru her are countless. It was thru her that the Savior of the World, Jesus Christ, was conceived and born. It was thru her that Jesus Christ performed His first public miracle of changing water into wine at the wedding in Cana. It was in her care and protection that Jesus Christ entrusted each and everyone of us, for we form the Church which He founded. It is thru her intercession that the Church has been receiving extraordinary blessings up to this time. These blessings continue to be poured on us in various ways, especially thru her miraculous apparitions in places like Lourdes in France, Guadalupe in Mexico, Fatima in Portugal, etc. These and many more are reasons why we celebrate the Birthday of our Blessed Mother Mary.
Can we be also a blessing to people?
We are told that Christ has a “Mystical Body” which we call the Church. We, who compose the Church, are members of this Mystical Body of Christ. Just as one is concerned with every part of his body, so is Christ concerned with every one who is a member of His Mystical Body. This, I believe, is the fundamental reason why one should live a life that others can consider as a blessing for them. The source of any blessing is actually God Himself, but God can use anyone as His instrument to pour out His blessings. One has only to make himself available to be used by God by surrendering oneself like our Blessed Mother Mary and say: “Behold the servant of the Lord, be it done unto me according to The Word”. (Lk.1:38)
Since our life is a Gift from God, this Gift should be used not only for our own good but also for the good of others. For this reason God also gave us the Gift of Love, because it is only thru the power of love that we can truly do something good for others. Love can be manifested in many ways. One of the best ways, however, is thru service. Serving the needs of others is actually what Our Lord Jesus Christ meant when He said: “For I was hungry and you fed me, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me into your house. I was naked and you clothed me. I was sick and you visited me. I was in prison and you went to see me. …Truly, I say to you: whenever you did this to one of the least important of these brothers of mine, you did it for me.” (Matt. 25: 35-40
Service to others is, indeed, the great challenge of Christianity. It is a challenge that requires a strong conviction in the personal relationship of Christ with every person in this world. In other words, one has to see the ‘Face of Christ’ in each and every person served. For those who are lovable, one may just be too willing and be glad to serve their needs; but for others who may be unlovable, one would need a special grace from God to be able to fulfill this command of Christ.
By: Salvador Cagurangan
Sep. 20, 2009
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