“THE PRIVILEGE TO LOVE GOD” – is for me the greatest privilege that can ever be bestowed on mankind.
This is a conviction that came to me while I was adoring JESUS CHRIST in the Blessed Sacrament. As I was talking to Our Lord JESUS CHRIST, I was filled with awe to realize that the one I was conversing with is GOD – the SUPREME BEING, the REDEEMER of mankind, and the CO-CREATOR of the whole world.
With this realization I questioned myself as follows:
1. Who am I to be given such a great privilege?
2. What makes it possible for me to exercise such a privilege?
To the first question, I have to humbly acknowledge that I am a creature
that God has designed in His own image and likeness. (Gen. 1:26) And to the second question, I realize that God has bestowed on me and on all human beings the gift of FREEDOM which empowers everyone to love.
The realizations brought me to further reflect on the function of the gift of freedom in order to love. After some deep reflections on this matter, I became aware of some characteristics underlying this great phenomenon of love, namely:
1. To love means to give of oneself to the beloved.
2. The giving of oneself has to be done freely, for no one can be forced to love.
If I am to give of myself to God, what can I give Him? I cannot but realize
my nothingness before God. All that I am and all that I have come from Him. Hence, there is simply nothing that I can give Him save the desire to love Him. This is where I can exercise the gift of Freedom and offer to God my whole self as He created me together with all that I have done which may not have always been pleasing to Him.
It has been axiomatic to consider Loving God as a Commandment. To my mind a Commandment is something I have to obey, whether I like it or not. With my reflections, however, wherein I am given the opportunity to address an Almighty God and offer myself to Him, with all my nothingness and sinfulness, I would rather consider this ACT OF LOVING GOD as a GREAT PRIVILEGE.
by: Salvador 'Buddy' Cagurangan
July 11, 2010
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Sunday, July 4, 2010
THE GREATEST LOVE REENACTED
“THE GREATEST LOVE REENACTED”. This is how I consider the Celebration of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. For as the Catechism of the Catholic Church states: “In this divine sacrifice which is celebrated in the Mass, the same Christ who offered himself once in a bloody manner on the altar of the cross is contained and is offered in an unbloody manner.” (CCC 1367) and likewise in the Catechism for Filipino Catholics we read: “ Through the mystery of the Eucharist, the sacrifice of the Cross which was once offered on Calvary, is remarkably reenacted and constantly recalled, and its saving power exerted for the forgiveness of sins”. (CFC 1689)
Having reflected on these two statements of the Catholic Church, time and again I am filled with awe at what is actually happening whenever I participate in the celebration of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.
First of all I see Christ putting into action what He Himself said: “ There is no greater love than this, to give one’s life for his friends…” (John 15:13)
Then, what amazes me is the great Mystery of this Love of Christ being reenacted in an unbloody manner.
I consider Christ’s Crucifixion and Death on the Cross as the Greatest Love that can ever be manifested in this world. This is because of the personality of Christ Who is God made Man through the Mystery of INCARNATION. No one can ever have such a Dignity as JESUS CHRIST, the only begotten Son of God the Father. God though He is, He manifested His love for men by actually bearing the sacrifice of dying on the Cross in order to obtain for mankind the Grace of Redemption. He is, therefore, a God Who suffered and died for the salvation of all men.
This greatest act of love of Christ has been done historically for more than 2,000 years ago, but the same act of love is being reenacted in an unbloody manner whenever the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is celebrated.
The Catechism for Filipino Catholics says: “ Christ instituted the Eucharist so that his once-and-for-all saving Death on the Cross might be made present even to us – 2,000 years later. The Eucharist is a sacrifice because Christ is present precisely as ‘offering himself for us as a sacrifice to the Father. Thus, the heart of the Eucharistic celebration is: Christ, our Lord’s perfect saving LOVE.” (CFC 1690)
I praise the Lord for this deep enlightenment to look up to the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass as a Great Mystery wherein the Greatest Love is being reenacted, so that I and every man on earth can participate in the Mystery of Redemption and be given the privilege of belonging to the Family of God.
by: Salvador 'Buddy' Cagurangan
July 4, 2010
Having reflected on these two statements of the Catholic Church, time and again I am filled with awe at what is actually happening whenever I participate in the celebration of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.
First of all I see Christ putting into action what He Himself said: “ There is no greater love than this, to give one’s life for his friends…” (John 15:13)
Then, what amazes me is the great Mystery of this Love of Christ being reenacted in an unbloody manner.
I consider Christ’s Crucifixion and Death on the Cross as the Greatest Love that can ever be manifested in this world. This is because of the personality of Christ Who is God made Man through the Mystery of INCARNATION. No one can ever have such a Dignity as JESUS CHRIST, the only begotten Son of God the Father. God though He is, He manifested His love for men by actually bearing the sacrifice of dying on the Cross in order to obtain for mankind the Grace of Redemption. He is, therefore, a God Who suffered and died for the salvation of all men.
This greatest act of love of Christ has been done historically for more than 2,000 years ago, but the same act of love is being reenacted in an unbloody manner whenever the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is celebrated.
The Catechism for Filipino Catholics says: “ Christ instituted the Eucharist so that his once-and-for-all saving Death on the Cross might be made present even to us – 2,000 years later. The Eucharist is a sacrifice because Christ is present precisely as ‘offering himself for us as a sacrifice to the Father. Thus, the heart of the Eucharistic celebration is: Christ, our Lord’s perfect saving LOVE.” (CFC 1690)
I praise the Lord for this deep enlightenment to look up to the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass as a Great Mystery wherein the Greatest Love is being reenacted, so that I and every man on earth can participate in the Mystery of Redemption and be given the privilege of belonging to the Family of God.
by: Salvador 'Buddy' Cagurangan
July 4, 2010
Sunday, June 27, 2010
FUNDAMENTAL COMMITMENT
“FUNDAMENTAL COMMITMENT” is a term used by the National Catechetical Directory of the Philippines (NCDP) to signify our “Moral Standing Before God”.
1. Self-Centered: a life orientation toward self-sufficiency.
2. Other-Directed: a life of self-giving in loving service of God and neighbor.
I would term the first as “SELFISHNESS” and the second as “UNSELFISHNESS”.
“Selfishness” is, I believe, the essence of SIN. It is too much concern on how to please oneself rather than on how to please God and others.
“Unselfishness” is, on the other hand, the essence of LOVE. It thinks first of God – on how to please Him by doing His Holy Will. It thinks second on how to promote the welfare of others. It is actually a giving of oneself, what one can do or can be in order to serve God and one’s neighbor.
These two ways of acting are the results of one’s exercise of the Gift of Freedom. Our choices or decisions, however, are to a large extent based on our moral convictions. Hence, it is of paramount importance to have strong convictions on how we view the “Mystery of Life” on earth.
The Catechism for Filipino Catholics (CFC-293) states that “the evil in the world is not some ‘problem’ to be solved, but a ‘mystery’ to be faced. Three faces of evil – fate, sin and death – can never be answered by any rationalistic ‘head knowledge’. What alone is effective is a vibrant spiritual life of believing, hoping and loving God, our Father Almighty, through Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior, in their indwelling Holy Spirit.”
Life on earth is, indeed, a great Mystery which we can never fully understand. It is for this reason, I believe, that God, in His infinite Goodness, sent His only begotten Son, JESUS CHRIST, to enlighten and empower us with His HOLY SPIRIT so we could exercise our gift of freedom to make decisions that are “Other-Directed”, a FUNDAMENTAL COMMITMENT to love and serve God and our neighbor.
by: Salvador 'Buddy' Cagurangan
June 27, 2010
Sunday, June 20, 2010
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”.
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
June 20, 2010
Sunday, June 13, 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”.
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
June 13, 2010
Sunday, May 30, 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.
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
May 30, 2010
Sunday, May 23, 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
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
Sunday, May 16, 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.
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
May 16, 2010
Sunday, May 9, 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.
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
May 9, 2010
Monday, April 19, 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”.
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
April 19, 2010
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