God-Our Father

“OUR FATHER” – These are the first two words THE LORD’S PRAYER, which was taught by Our Lord Jesus Christ Himself. (Matt.6:9-13)

We may say that this is the Prayer that is most frequently recited by all Christians; but is its significance adequately understood and interiorized? I wonder and my wondering leads me now the share what I learned from the Catechism of the Catholic Church and the Catechism for Filipino Catholics regarding THE LORD’S PRAYER.

1. Summary of the whole Gospel, It presents in the form of prayer the essential contents of the whole Gospel.

2. Composed of three (3) parts:
a. Address – “Our Father, Who art in Heaven”
b. YOU Petitions – Man’s Worship of God
c. WE Petitions - Man’s Need for God

3. A Brief Exposition of the three (3) parts:
a. The invocation “Our Father” should make us aware of our being adopted children of God through the redeeming grace of Our Lord Jesus Christ.
“Who art in Heaven” is a biblical expression that indicates not a place but a way of being. It refers to God’s majesty, His holiness and presence in the hearts of the just. It constitutes our true homeland towards which we are moving in hope while we are still on earth.

b. There are three (3) YOU Petitions:
These are petitions to manifest our WORSHIP OF GOD by:
- Knowing Him – Sanctification of His Name
- Loving Him - Coming of His Kingdom
- Serving Him – Fulfillment of His Will

c. There are four (4) WE Petitions:
These are petitions to address man’s need for God by:
- Asking for Daily Bread – Man’s need to live spiritually and physically
- Asking for Forgiveness – Man’s need to be forgiven of his sinfulness
- Asking for Help to overcome temptations – Man’s need to be strengthened
against the sinful allurements of this world
- Asking for Protection from the Evil One – Man’s need to be protected from
the snares of Satan who opposes God and who wants to deceive the whole world.

4. Meaning of “AMEN”
The prayer ends with “AMEN” which means “SO BE IT”. By this word one ratifies all that is contained in the Prayer.

Whenever I pray the “Our Father” the foregoing considerations help me a lot to give meaning to what I say and thus enable me to concentrate and focus my attention on God, the Almighty, Whom I am addressing as “FATHER”.

by: Salvador 'Buddy' Cagurangan
June 20, 2010

LIVE FOR GOD

“WHAT AM I LIVING FOR?” This is the first line of a song that has kept me pondering on the right answer.

Looking back to more than eighty one (81) years of life here on earth, I have been asking myself what actually would give meaning to my existence.

People, places, properties, power, prestige and pleasures have, indeed, contributed in one way or another to make life enjoyable here on earth. They cater to the satisfaction mostly of our senses – to see, to hear, to smell, to taste, to touch and to feel great. However much as these give satisfactions to our senses, they are all transitory or fleeting that sooner or later their satisfactions fade away. Hence, there remains a craving for more and more satisfaction.

St. Augustine of Hippo must have realized this phenomenon in his life and has theologized it when he said: “OUR HEART IS RESTLESS UNTIL IT RESTS IN GOD”.

Just the other day, while my wife, Ofel, and I were praying the Liturgy of the Hours, I was, indeed, struck by the first line of Psalm 62 which reads: “In God alone is my soul at rest.” I then further consulted a commentary on this Psalm in the Christian Community Bible and here I quote what it says: “Believers themselves feel the attraction of money, power and pleasure. But in pretending to respond to our hopes, all these things are deceptive since they cannot fill our hearts. They are powerless and fleeting, while God is the ultimate fullness and no one can destroy him.”

The foregoing statements made me ponder on the reason of my existence. Looking at my own self I realize that my very existence depends entirely on God. It is God Who created me, it is God who sustains me, it is only God Who knows the full mystery of my existence. Hence, I conclude that it is only God Who can give the real reason or meaning for my existence. This realization strengthens my belief that every being in this world is created for a purpose; and it is only God, our Almighty Creator, Who knows the very purpose of every creature. Every being, therefore, can only find fulfillment if he surrenders himself to God’s almighty power and allow Him to dispose of him according to His Holy Will.

Day after day as I live my life, I cannot but ask myself “What am I living for?” There are quite a number of activities, commitments or engagements that call for my attention everyday. Are these the reasons for my existence? Yes, I am expected or challenged to do them. But is this WHAT LIFE IS FOR?

I do believe that whatever we do can only be meaningful if in all sincerity we surrender ourselves to God and allow Him to use us as He pleases in accordance with the very reason for which He has created us. This is the attitude that would make our HEART REST IN GOD.

Hence, my answer to the question: “WHAT AM I LIVING FOR?”, is “I AM LIVING FOR GOD, FOR HE ALONE KNOWS THE COMPLETE REAL REASON FOR MY EXISTENCE”.

BY: Salvador 'Buddy' Cagurangan
June 13, 2010

LIVE IN HEAVEN

“A CHRISTIAN WALKS ON EARTH BUT LIVES IN HEAVEN.” This is a statement from the Easter Meditation of the Vatican II Weekday Missal.

The Easter Meditation dwells on the words of St. Paul in his Letter to the Philippians which says: “ For us, our citizenship is in heaven, from where we await the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ, the Lord. He will transfigure our lowly body, making it like his own body, radiant in Glory, through the power which is his to submit everything to himself.” (Phil. 3:20-21).

From these words of St. Paul the meditation concludes that though our bodies keep us on earth, by nature and by grace we belong to heaven.

I have been pondering on how I could really put into practice this wonderful statement. The big question that confronted me is: “WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO LIVE IN HEAVEN?”

We have been used to think of heaven as a PLACE where GOD IS. Spiritual writers, however, view heaven as a STATE wherein one is UNITED WITH GOD. Hence, even here on earth one can already be in heaven, if he is united with God. UNION WITH GOD is, therefore, the essence of HEAVEN.

The challenge to me then is “HOW TO LIVE IN UNION WITH GOD?”

This, I believe, is precisely the WORK that has been attributed in a special way to the HOLY SPIRIT – the WORK OF SANCTIFICATION.

PENTECOST – the Feast we celebrated last Sunday, May 23, is the Mystery of the Third Person of the Holy Trinity – which gives Birth to the Church and makes her alive in dispensing the graces we need to become HOLY and be UNITED WITH GOD. The Church ordinarily dispenses these graces through the seven Sacraments. There are also other means or channels, by which one can obtain these graces, such as prayer, corporal and spiritual works of mercy.

For me, then, TO LIVE IN HEAVEN, means to strive to be ALWAYS UNITED WITH GOD, through the GRACES coming from the HOLY SPIRIT Who dispenses them through the Church or through various works of sanctification.

This consciousness of being united with God, regardless of whatever situation one may be in, is indeed, a great inspiration that brings me peace and joy – a foretaste of the LIFE IN HEAVEN.

by: Salvador 'Buddy' Cagurangan
May 30, 2010

LIVE BOLDLY

“LIVE BOLDLY”. This is a challenge that came to me after reading an article entitled: “TOTAL ACTION NOT FLABBY REACTION” written by an SVD Priest, Rev. Fr. Ambrosio Manaligod.

The article is actually a criticism on how we, Christians, live our faith. It exposes the reason why there is so much graft and corruption in our country, the Philippines, in spite of the fact that we are considered the only Catholic nation in the Far East, with a population of 90% Christian. It is said that in our country Christianity actually has not failed, but that it has not been truly tried. Some describe our Christianity in the Philippines as a “Split-level Christianity”, meaning we do not really practice what we believe, that there is a dichotomy on what we believe and on how we live. Hence, the challenge to LIVE BOLDLY.

To live boldly means to live according to ones convictions; for Faith is a Conviction, not a certainty. Our Christian Faith is, indeed, a Conviction that God is Our Father and that we are all His children, and that therefore, we should love one another as God loves us. This is the Challenge where probably many of us, Filipinos, fail. This is because loving one another should not only by our lips but more so in our deeds.

Studies reveal that the great majority of our population are living in poverty. The rich are getting richer and richer, while the poor are getting poorer and poorer. Why? Because of greed. Those who have want to have more and more, even at the expense of those who have very little. We have an AGRARIAN REFORM PROGRAM, where the tillers of the land are supposed to own the land they till. But after almost half a century since its enactment into law, the great majority of the tenant farmers are still subservient to the landowners.

In the recently concluded National Elections, there is an overwhelming desire of the voting population to weed out “Graft and Corruption”. Those who were voted upon to take the reins of the government were chosen with the hope that they, indeed, will implement and enforce laws that are meant to eliminate this “evil” in the government. How they will do it remains to be seen.

Personally I believe, however, that the root cause of graft and corruption should be addressed – that of GREED. Greed for Power- for Property- for Prestige. Unless this root cause is eliminated and changed with the Christian Principle of LOVE, the problem of graft and corruption can never be eradicated.

The challenge, therefore, to live boldly is to take seriously the Words of our Lord Jesus Christ when He said: “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another as I have loved you. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another”. (John 13: 34-35)

In a nutshell, to live boldly means “TO LIVE WHAT WE BELIEVE”.

by: Salvador 'Buddy' Cagurangan

May 23, 2010

OUR DAILY BREAD

“GIVE US THIS DAY OUR DAILY BREAD”. This is one of the petitions we ask when we pray the “OUR FATHER”, the LORD’S PRAYER.
What is our Daily Bread? This is a question that has different answers depending on the different needs that people feel. These needs may be categorized as follows: physical, economic, psychological, social, ecological, political and spiritual.
Physical – is the need to be healthy in body
Economic – is the need for goods and services to live decently
Psychological – is the need to be emotionally stable
Social – is the need to have a loving relationship with people
Ecological – is the need to live in a healthy environment
Political – is the need to be governed justly and peacefully
Spiritual – is the need to be lovingly united with God

All these needs are legitimate and deserve to be satisfied. I do believe, however, that the most important of all is the SPIRITUAL NEED – TO BE LOVINGLY UNITED WITH GOD.

“Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you.” (Matt. 6:33) This is one of the statements of Our Lord Jesus Christ in His Sermon on the Mount.

While pondering on these words of our Lord Jesus Christ I asked myself the question: Where can I find God? Our Church Catechism tells us that God is everywhere, that He dwells in each human being as His temple. In a very special way, however, He is present in the Blessed Sacrament.

During the 15th Asian SERRA Convention at Singapore (April 16-18, 2010), there were some published articles on the reality of Christ’s Divine Presence in the Sacred Host. I would like to share just two of them.

The first is the Eucharistic Miracle of Lanciano. Italy. This took place in the 8th. Century A.D. in the Church of St. Legontian. A Basilian monk doubted the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. One day, however, while celebrating Holy Mass, a miracle happened. After the two-fold consecration, the Host became live Flesh and the Wine became live Blood. The results of scientific investigations made by experts have confirmed that the Flesh is real Flesh, the Blood is real Blood, that Flesh and Blood belong to the human species, and that the Flesh consists of the muscular tissue of the heart. These Flesh and Blood remain preserved in their natural state for already twelve centuries, an extraordinary phenomenon, despite being exposed to the action of the atmosphere and biological agents.

The second is the phenomenon of a Stigmatist, Teresa Neuman of Germany. In 1926 she experienced receiving from God the Grace of Suffering from a ‘Stigmata’. She began a complete fasting with the Eucharist as her only nourishment. Without food or drink, Teresa lived for 35 years sustained only by the Holy Eucharist which she received everyday.

These miracles have, indeed, strengthened my Faith in the Real Presence of Christ in the Blessed Sacrament. If I wish to find God, there would be no other better place than the Adoration Chapel where He is exposed.

Reflecting on the reality that God is giving to every human being 24 hours everyday, I was challenged to spend at least one hour everyday with the Lord Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. This would be a manifestation of my Faith in His Real Presence in the Sacred Host. This would truly be my DAILY BREAD.

by: Salvador 'Buddy' Cagurangan

May 16, 2010

EQUALITY IN DIGNITY

“EQUALITY IN DIGNITY”. This I believe is a reality that should govern the relationships of all people in the whole world.

This reality is grounded on the fact that everything in this world is God’s creation. All power comes from God and every being owes its existence to God’s creative power. There is nobody and nothing that can exist and remain in existence without God’s creative power. Hence, it behooves that all honor and glory should be given only to God.

In our world today, however, we see a lot of competition, people vying with each other for honors and all kinds of power. We see this in practically all kinds of endeavors. . . in politics, in business, in education, and even in the church.

Indeed, we have to acknowledge that there are differences in the gifts and talents that individuals possess; that the performances of people differ from one to the other; that there are valid grounds for evaluating things as good, better or best. There is a diversity of functions and responsibilities of people, usually in accordance with their education, training, experiences and capacities. Based on all these factors we tend to glorify and honor people for their achievements.

Recognizing these achievements may have its own merits. However, the fact remains that the ultimate author or source of everything that is good is God Himself. It is to Him that we owe everything, and it is to Him that all honor and glory should be given.

This, I believe, is the essence of humility – to attribute to God everything that is good. . . all that we are and all that we have. This is the attitude exemplified by our Blessed Mother Mary when, after being praised by her cousin, Elizabeth, she said: “MY SOUL GLORIFIES THE LORD, MY SPIRIT REJOICES IN GOD MY SAVIOR… FOR THE MIGHTY ONE HAS DONE GREAT THINGS FOR ME AND HOLY IS HIS NAME” (Luke 1:46-49)

In dignity, therefore, we are all equal for we are all creatures of God - - - we owe everything that we are and everything that we have to Him. We may be bestowed with different gifts and talents and may have varied responsibilities, but we all remain God’s creatures, made in His own image and likeness. Hence, in DIGNITY we are all EQUAL. We are all CHILDREN OF GOD.

by: Salvador 'Buddy' Cagurangan
May 9, 2010

LET GOD BE GOD

“LET GOD BE GOD”. This was a thought that kept lingering in my mind for several days before I flew to Singapore to attend the 15th Asian SERRA Convention that was held there on April 16-18, 2010.

The Convention was, indeed, graced by Spirit-filled speakers who inspired us with their talks on the Real Presence of Christ in the Blessed Sacrament. There were many sharings that made me ponder on the immeasurable love of God that is manifested in this great mystery of Christ’s Eucharistic Presence.

One of the sharings that struck me most, however, came from the testimony of a member of the SERRA Club of Singapore, Mrs. Lucy Yeo, the wife of the President of Singapore SERRA Club, Mr. Sean Yeo. She shared her personal experience of making time to adore Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, despite her very busy schedule attending to the needs of her family and her duties as a government employee.

In one of her visits to the Blessed Sacrament she received this inspiration from Our Lord Jesus: “It is not what you do when you come to me, but what I do with you that matters”.

This, indeed, struck me most because it gave me a deeper understanding of what it means to “LET GOD BE GOD” in one’s life. It made me review the way I spent the time when I was adoring Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. I realized that most of the time I was talking to the Lord instead of giving Him time to do with me what He wants. I then realized the wisdom of Psalm 46: 11 which reads: “Keep still, know that I am God”.

To LET GOD BE GOD in my life means truly making Him my Master, to surrender entirely to Him, and let Him do with me as He pleases. This, I believe is the real essence of holiness – to do whatever God wants to be done and to become whatever God wants me to become. In short, to be completely committed to do the WILL OF GOD. It is to echo what Jesus Himself has said: “LORD, NOT MY WILL, BUT YOUR WILL BE DONE”.

by: Salvador 'Buddy' Cagurangan

April 19, 2010

EVERYDAY IS A NEW DAY

“EVERYDAY IS A NEW DAY”. This is a reality worth meditating on.

This reality inspires me to go on living with joy in my heart day in and day out even as I am about to reach the age of 82. Chronologically I am considered to be among the senior citizens who are already at the pre-departure area of life here on earth. How long I will still live is a matter only God knows. It is a joy for me, however, to realize that everyday of my life is a new day. A day that comes from God as a Gift.

Several years ago I heard this statement from a Municipal Mayor of Tuguegarao, the late Honorable Apolonio P. Reyes, “We pass through this world only once. Hence, whatever good we can do now, let us do it now; for we shall never pass this way again.” This statement I have tried to interiorize and it has influenced my way of life.

As I wake up in the morning, I turn my thoughts to God and say: “Thank You, O Lord God, for this beautiful day which You are giving me. Do help me to use this Gift in the best way I can according to Your Holy Will. And whatever I do today I gratefully offer to You for Your greater glory.”

There are three points contained in this short prayer which serve to strengthen my personal relationship with God.

First, is that every day is a GIFT from God. It is a New Day which only God can give. For this reason , I must treasure the day and be grateful for it.

Second, each New Day is an OPPORTUNITY to do something good to manifest one’s love for God and fellowmen. Hence, I ask for enlightenment to know what God would like me to do for the day to manifest His loving presence in the community where I live. This is an opportunity which I have to avail of NOW for it will never come back again.

Third, whatever I do should always redound to GOD’S GLORY. As such, I should disabuse my mind from wanting to do anything for any selfish motive. I should not expect to receive any appreciation or congratulation for the good I do and simply offer them all to God for His glory.

With God’s own grace, I welcome EVERYDAY that comes my way, considering it as God’s gracious Gift to me, living it in accordance with God’s Holy Will and humbly offering it back to God for His greater glory.

BY: Salvador 'Buddy' Cagurangan
April 4, 2010

WALK WITH FAITH

“WALK WITH FAITH” are the first three words of a song that has been challenging me to put into practice what it entails.

I would like to share these challenges that have influenced my outlook in life.

“TO SEE THINGS WITH THE EYES OF FAITH” and not just with one’s naked eyes has confronted me with three (3) GREAT CHALLENGES; namely:
1. God’s Presence in this world
2. God’s Action
3. God’s Glory

The reality of God’s Presence in this world is something that at times I just take for granted. Since God is invisible it requires an act of faith to see Him in the visible world He has created. When I realize that I am taking His Presence for granted, I remind myself that the whole world is His creation and therefore in every creature there is a sign of God’s creative power that has brought it into existence and sustain its being. Hence, it is logically inferred that God is everywhere. The challenge, then, is to see God as the Almighty Creator and who sustains every being in this world with His creative power. In these moments that I become conscious of God’s Omni-Presence, I bow down in adoration and acknowledge my complete dependence on Him.

God’s Action in this world is a reality that emanates from His being the Creator. All creation depends on Him, and thus every action in this world must eventually contribute in one way or another to the world’s development or evolution for the better . God’s Will must find its fulfillment in the multifarious activities in this world. In faith I always have to pray for guidance so as to be enlightened and act on whatever may be the Will of God.

God’s Glory in this world must be the ultimate Goal of all creation. God, as the Bible says (Rev. 1:8), is the “ALPHA” and “OMEGA”, the Beginning and the End of everything in this world. The gratitude of all of creation for its existence must be manifested by giving GOD ALL THE GLORY THAT HE DESERVES.

For me then, To WALK with FAITH, means that I should strive to be EVER- CONSCIOUS of God’s loving PRESENCE in this world, to be EVER-OBEDIENT in doing His HOLY WILL, and to be EVER-GRATEFUL by offering everything to Him for HIS GREATER GLORY.

By: Salvador 'Buddy' Cagurangan
March 28, 2010

The Good Samaritan

“The Good Samaritan” is a parable narrated by our Lord Jesus Christ when a certain lawyer asked Him: “And who is my neighbor”. We read this parable in Luke 10:25-37.

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This is a story of how we are supposed to manifest our love.

Our Lord praised the lawyer for answering correctly his own question: “What shall I do to inherit eternal life?”. His answer was to love God and to love one’s neighbor. But he further asked: “who is my neighbor?” Our Lord then narrated the Parable of the Good Samaritan.

I would like to share my reflection on this parable.

The parable tells us “whom” to love and “how” to love.

“Whom” to love is our neighbor. Who is our neighbor? Our neighbor is one in need of help. This someone is actually anyone we encounter in life, regardless of who he is, whether a friend, a stranger, or an enemy. It means, therefore, that we cannot choose whom to love. We have to love anyone who comes our way who is in need of help. It means we cannot love in a vacuum. We have to love in a concrete situation. We cannot love people who have already gone ahead of us, or people who will come after us. We can only love those we are living with here and now.

“How” to love? Love is a decision. To enable us to make a decision God gave us the gift of “Freedom”. Freedom is a power which one has to exercise to choose what is good and avoid what it evil. It is not a license to do whatever one wants to do, regardless of the consequences. It is a gift that enables us to love. For love is something that can be done or given only with a free will. When one loves, he has to make a decision to do what he believes is good under the circumstances, taking into account whatever resources he has and what the particular person is in need of.

In the parable of the Good Samaritan, the person in need of help was actually a stranger or even an enemy. Two persons, a priest and a Levite, who saw the person lying half dead just passed by without doing anything. The Samaritan, however, “moved by compassion, went over to him, treated his wounds with oil and wine and wrapped them with bandages. Then he put him on his own animal and brought him to an inn where he took care of him.” The next day as he had to leave, “he gave two silver coins to the inn-keeper and said to him: ‘Take care of him and whatever you spend on him, I will repay when I come back’.

After narrating this story, our Lord then asked the lawyer: “Which of the three, do you think, made himself neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” “The teacher of the Law answered: ‘the one who had mercy on him’. And Jesus said: “Go then and do the same.”

This parable reminds me of the importance of loving everyone in need who comes my way, without making any discrimination, and that the way to love is to use whatever resources I have to help the person in his particular need. This, indeed, is a tall order. It requires an all-out giving of time, talents and treasures to help the one in need who comes our way. This, I believe, is how God wants us to love in order to “become as perfect as He is” (Matt.5:48)

by: Salvador 'Buddy' Caguranganb

March 21, 2010