EVERYONE IS UNIQUE

“EVERYONE IS UNIQUE”. This is a reality that has been acknowledged by many world renowned writers, among whom is ROLLO MAY in his book entitled “Man’s Search For Himself”.

In the Dutch Catechism, however, an observation was made that “All are born originals, but many end up as copies”.

As I look at what is happening in our nation and in our city of Tuguegarao in particular, I see the veracity of the said observation. To cite a few examples are the following:
1. Tricycles: The tricycle business started with only a few units plying the city of Tuguegarao. When people saw the profitability of this business, thousands in less than a year applied for the franchise to operate the same business. Thus, in Tuguegarao City today there is a superabundance of tricycles plying the streets.
2. Nurses: Time was when there was a dire need for nurses. Before long many nursing schools opened to accommodate the great flux of students registering for a nursing course. Today we read in the newspapers that there is an oversupply of nurses in the country such that thousands of them are unemployed.
3. Water: About ten years ago someone started the business of supplying purified drinking water. Today there are more than fifty water refiller stations in Tuguegarao City alone, some of them operating even without the necessary permits.

The above mentioned examples show that, indeed, man is prone to
to imitate what others are doing. While this may not be necessarily wrong, it would be wise to focus on one’s unique capabilities and be original in making a living or in having a personal life style.

In a Prayer Book for Eucharistic Adoration compiled by the Serra Club of Singapore this prayer is printed:
”My Lord and my God, You are Love itself, and the source of all love and goodness. Out of love You created me to know You, love You, and serve You in a unique way, as no one else can. I believe that You have a plan for my life, that You have a task in Your Kingdom reserved just for me. Your plan and Your task are far better that any other I might choose: they will glorify You, fulfill the desires of my heart, and save those souls who are depending on my generous response.”

This prayer clarified to me that God has created me in such a way that under the circumstances in which I live, I and I alone would be responsible in doing what needs to be done according to His plan. Hence, it is incumbent upon me to make use of whatever gifts or capabilities that God has bestowed on me to carry out the task that has been reserved just for me. Herein lies my uniqueness as a human being.

by: Salvador 'Buddy' Cagurangan

Feb. 6, 2011

Don't Overload

DON’T OVERLOAD. This is a wise piece of advice.

Recently ten construction workers had a tragic accident while working in a building at Makati City. Experts say that the cause is “OVERLOADING”. The elevator’s maximum capacity was limited to three (3) persons only. The ten workers, however, simply disregarded this. Hence, the elevator gave way to the overweight and crushed to the ground, killing all of them.

This is not an isolated case. Almost everyday we hear of vehicular accidents that are due to overloading. Even at sea, ships or boats have capsized due to overloading. At present our lawmakers are enacting a bill to limit the weight of cargo trucks in order to prevent the destruction of our public roads.

On further reflection, this piece of advice could very well be applied to one’s everyday life. Daily there are many things we do which need some kind of discipline in order to live a healthy and a well-balanced life. Among them, for instance are:

1. Eating: Overeating we know is the cause of many health problems.
2. Drinking: Excess in drinking hard liquor is the cause not only of various health ailments but of one’s relationship with people and even in one’s work productivity.
3. Exercise: A regular daily exercise is good for the body, but when done in excess it becomes harmful.
4. Sleeping: Our body needs rest. This is the purpose of sleeping. To sleep, however, beyond what our body needs would also cause some trouble physically, mentally and even spiritually.
5. Watching TV: Television is a very good means to be appraised of what is happening in the world we live in and to provide some kind of entertainment. Too much exposure, however, can affect our mental capabilities. Some say that the TV can become an “idiot box” if not controlled properly.

In a book entitled “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” written by Stephen R. Covey, there is a story of the Goose and the Golden Eggs. This is an Aesop’s fable which runs as follows:
“A poor farmer one day discovers in the nest of his pet goose a glittering golden egg. At first, he thinks it must be some kind of trick. But as he starts to throw the egg aside, he has second thoughts and takes it in to be appraised instead. The egg is pure gold! The farmer can’t believe his good fortune. He becomes even more incredulous the following day when the experience is repeated. Day after day, he awakens to rush to the nest and find another golden egg. He becomes fabulously wealthy; it all seems too good to be true. But with the increasing wealth comes greed and impatience. Unable to wait day after day for the golden eggs, the farmer decides he will kill the goose and get them all at once. But when he opens the goose, he finds it empty. There are no golden eggs – and now there is no way to get any more. The farmer has destroyed the goose that produced them.”

Mr. Covey further states that within this fable is a natural law, a principle – the basic definition of effectiveness, namely that: “True effectiveness is a function of two things: what is produced (the golden egg) and the producing asset or capacity to produce (the goose).

For me the lesson is clear and simple. One should take good care of his own body and make it function within the limits of its capacities. In other words, a human being is finite and entirely dependent on the creative power of God and therefore should learn how to live according to how God has designed him.

by: Salvador 'Buddy' Cagurangan
January 30, 2011

The PREX Seminar

“PREX” stands for PARISH RENEWAL EXPERIENCE. It is not an organization but a MOVEMENT for SPIRITUAL RENEWAL.

This year, 2011, marks the 17th ANNIVERSARY of PREX in the Parish of St. Peter, Tuguegarao City. As of today, January 23, 2011, there are 5,200 who have undergone this seminar in our parish. They come from all walks of life. While the great majority are lay people, some are priests and religious sisters.

Christ has said that a tree is known by its fruits. “By their fruits you shall know them” (Matt. 7:20). Hence, if we were to evaluate the PREX Seminar from the witnessing of those who participated in this movement, we may say that it is a GOOD TREE. By and large PREX graduates have come closer to God and have become more involved in the life of the Church, particularly in their respective parishes. There are some who responded to the priestly vocation after attending a PREX seminar. There are those who had a dramatic conversion experience, from a wayward life to a God-centered life. We have to admit, however, that there are those whose commitment to a renewed Faith in God have not lasted long. This is a phenomenon which Christ himself explained in the Parable of the Sower, wherein there are different kinds of soil to which the seed is planted – on the road, a rocky ground, a thorny ground, a good soil. (Matt. 13:18-23).

Historically, PREX was born in 1970. It was started by a group of priests and lay people led by Rev. Fr. Charles Gallagher, S.J., in response to the encyclical letter of Pope Paul VI “Evangelii Nuntiandi”. They reflected particularly on what the Pope said: “The Church is an evangelizer, but she begins by being evangelized herself by constant conversion and renewal in order to evangelize the world with credibility”.

The first PREX Seminar was held in the Diocese of Trenton, New Jersey, USA. From there it spread to thousands of parishes in several countries, namely; Ireland, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, England, Scotland, Fiji, Singapore and the Philippines.

PREX was brought to the Philippines through the parish priest of San Antonio of Forbes Park, Rev. Fr. Hugh Zurat, OFM. His Eminence Jaime Cardinal Sin upon seeing the wonderful manifestation of a Community Love Relationship among the parishioners during his visit to this parish decided to invite the founder, Rev. Fr. Charles Gallagher, to give a training seminar to priests. Hence, in 1983 several parish priests gathered in Baguio City to undergo a PREX training seminar by Fr. Gallagher.

In January 14-16, 1994, thru the invitation of our Archbishop, Most Rev. Diosdado A. Talamayan, the Good Shepherd Parish of Fairview, Quezon City, headed by Rev. Msgr. Fidelis Limcaco, conducted PREX Class No. 1 in the parish of Tuguegarao City with 78 participants.

As of today, Jan. 23, 2011, the PREX Secretariat of Tuguegarao has conducted 139 PREX Classes in the St. Peter’s Parish. Moreover, it has reached out to 15 parishes, and 3 non-parishes, namely: the Franciscan Apostolic Sisters, Cagayan Provincial Jail and the Civil Service Commission of Region 02. Due to this achievement, the PREX Secretariat of Tuguegarao was given a Special Award during the 7th National PREX Convention at Baguio City on January 6, 2003, for having the GREATEST NO. OF OUTREACHES.

The HIDDEN GOD is, indeed, manifesting HIS LOVING PRESENCE in a very special way through the PREX Seminar. We pray that more and more people will come to experience this SPECIAL GRACE.

by: Salvador 'Buddy' Cagurangan
Jan. 23, 2011

ACT IN THE LIVING PRESENT

“ACT IN THE LIVING PRESENT! HEART WITHIN, AND GOD O’ERHEAD!”. This is one of the lines in a poem written by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, entitled: “A Psalm of Life”.

In the past few days I have been pondering on the Mystery of God’s manifestation of His Power here on earth. Since GOD is ALIVE and all of creation depends on His creative power for its existence, is He, in one way or another, active in what is happening in the world?

Years back I have been told by my professors in Theology that for God everything is PRESENT. For us, human beings, however, time is reckoned as Past, Present and Future. This to me is a great enigma that I have been trying to understand.

Reflecting on what Mr. Longfellow has said, I see the wisdom of focusing on the PRESENT MOMENT. To paraphrase the words of Longfellow, I would say: “Focus on what you are doing now, do it with all your heart, perceiving it as the Will of God.” This is strengthened by some spiritual writers who have given this advice: “Leave the Past to God’s mercy, leave the Future to God’s providence, and live in the Present with all the love you can give.”

Verily, it is in the Present Moment that one can act and make decisions. Whatever one does now cannot be repeated under the same circumstances. As President Obama of USA has said: “We cannot step on the same river twice”. It has also been said: “We live through this world only once, and so, whatever good we can do now, let us do it now, for we shall never pass this way again.”

As there are sins of commission, there are also sins of omission. Reviewing my past life I honestly regret to have missed some opportunities of doing something good. I realize that more often it was because of shyness or false humility that I did not dare to do what I should have done. I now accept that things would have been better had I taken advantage of the opportunities open to me in those moments to share my time, talents and treasures.

For now, I firmly believe that “TO ACT IN THE LIVING PRESENT!” is a very wise dictum to follow, for as long as what one does wholeheartedly is in accordance with the WILL OF GOD.

by: Salvador 'Buddy' Cagurangan
January 16, 2011

The Hidden God

My eldest child, Josephine (Jojo) E. Cagurangan, texted to me the following:

“The Lord hides Everything in Nothing.
He hides a tree in a seed.
He hides a King in a Shepherd Boy.
He hides a Savior in a Baby.
Aren’t you excited to see what He is hiding in you?
Be prepared for the Big Blessings
that God will provide You in the coming year.
Just Believe.”

Reflecting on what she said I added further:
“God hides Himself in a small bread –
the Sacred Host.”

For several days I have been pondering on the veracity of the above statements.
I zeroed in on what is most familiar to me, the SEED.

The seed, indeed, is very small. But when planted in a soil, watered and fertilized, it grows into a big tree. What man does is just to plant, water and fertilize it. But who makes it grow? Is this not a proof of the hidden power of God?

When I visit the Lord Jesus Christ at the Adoration Chapel, I try to imagine the Greatness of God hidden in that small Sacred Host. Seeing Him with the eyes of Faith I then genuflect with both knees and bow my head till it reaches the floor to manifest my humble homage and complete surrender to Him as my Lord and Creator; for it is said that “actions speak louder than words”.

This mystery of God’s Hidden Power is actually the theme of a song entitled: “How Great Thou Art”. The first stanza of the song says: “Oh Lord, my God, when I in awesome wonder; consider all the world Thy hands have made. I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder; Thy power throughout the universe displayed.” The refrain: “Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee. How great Thou art, how great Thou art.”

Truly, the whole of creation is a manifestation of God’s infinite Power. Nobody and nothing can exist even for a moment without the creative power of God. Hence, as I look at the visible world – the people now living in it, and all the creatures, animate or inanimate, I cannot but be awed at the Greatness of God whose personality, I believe, is hidden in His creation.

This, I would say, is the function of Faith – to see the INVISIBLE GOD in this VISIBLE WORLD.

During our lifetime it is thru the gift of Faith that we can communicate with the HIDDEN GOD – through “PRAYER”. In the next life, however, spiritual writers tell us that we shall be blessed with the gift of “BEATIFIC VISION”, which would enable us to “SEE GOD FACE TO FACE”.

This “BEATIFIC VISION” is the greatest blessing that God would bestow on us, His
creatures. His infinite BEAUTY and GREATNESS would certainly fill us with an indescribable happiness that will last forever – the fulfillment of God’s design in creating us, which is TO SHARE WITH US HIS INFINITE HAPPINESS.

by: Salvador 'Buddy' Cagurangan
January 9, 2011

GOD’S SERVANT

“GOD’S SERVANT” This is how I consider myself in relation to God.

In a book entitled: “Introduction to Teilhard de Chardin”, written by Hugh McElwain, OSM, he said: “A second important point must be kept in mind when approaching a theology of salvation history, that is not to make the mistake of understanding revelation somehow simply as God’s whispering to man who he is, by way of propositional statements about Himself primarily, and about other things in relation to Himself. It might be much more realistic to approach revelation as man’s understanding of who he is in relation to God. That is man’s understanding of himself in his fullest dimensions.”

The foregoing statement made me reflect on the question: “Who am I in relation to God?”.
For several days, as I visited the Lord Jesus Christ in the Blessed Sacrament, I pondered on how I should answer the question.

Based on what our Catholic Faith Catechism says, I am a child of God, an heir in God’s eternal Kingdom, the crown and key to God’s creation. While these answers are worth considering, I have, however, been more inclined to see myself as a “SERVANT OF GOD”.

The reality that God is the Supreme Being in this world, Who knows everything, can do everything, and on Whom all of creation depends for its existence, cannot but fill my whole being with awesome wonder at the immensity of God’s greatness. Hence, when I see my nothingness and complete dependence on Him, I can only beg for an opportunity to manifest my deep gratitude by serving Him in any way He wants. To be God’s servant would be a great privilege for me.
This reflection is corroborated by a song entitled: SERVICE, whose lyrics are:
“We are made for service to care for all men,
We are made for love both time and again,
A love that will live thru sorrow and pain,
A love that will never die with strain.

God sent His Son to show us the way,
One Who gave His love every minute of the day,
One Who gave His life that we might live,
And His Spirit to help us thru the years.

Life can be so lonely when nobody cares,
Life can be so empty when nobody shares,
But if man gives himself to help other men,
The happiness of Christ shall live within him.

On further reflection, I recalled that Christ Himself said: “The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve…” (Matt. 20:28). In doing God’s Will on earth Christ considered Himself a SERVANT. Hence, I believe that SERVICE is the best way to manifest one’s love for God and men; it is simply doing what pleases God for men. It is a self sacrificing act which says: “Lord, not my will but Your Will be done.”

Consequently, enlightened by my belief that I am God’s servant, whenever I visit the Lord Jesus Christ in the Blessed Sacrament I always pray: “Here I am Lord, I come to do Your Will.” And whatever comes to my mind as what God wants me to do during the day I pray for the grace to be able to do it in the best way I can so I can be truly “GOD’S SERVANT”.

by: Salvador 'Birung' Cagurangan
Dec. 26, 2010

A WORLD OF MYSTERIES

”A WORLD OF MYSTERIES”. This is the thought that kept lingering in my mind in the past few days. Kneeling before the Blessed Sacrament in the Adoration Chapel I cannot but be awed by the Great Mystery of God’s Presence in the appearance of a very small bread. Then I began to widen my horizon and try to see the world at large. Realizing the immensity of the world I considered myself just like a small dot.

While meditating on this insight, I came across an article published by the Philippine Star (a Daily Newspaper) on December 9, 2010 entitled “When Life Is Too Big”. The last sentence of the said article reads: “Recognizing our own smallness can cause us to embrace God’s greatness.”

I now begin to see the greatness of God manifested in a world that is full of mysteries. Starting with my own self, I realize that my very being is a mystery. I simply cannot fully understand how I came into existence, how I grew up to become what I am now and how all the vital organs in my body are working to keep me alive up to this time. I believe it is only God Who created me that can fully explain who and how I am. This holds true, I suppose, to every human being in this world.

The existence of evil in this world is to me also a great mystery. For, if the whole of creation came from One Supreme Being - “GOD”, Who is infinitely Good, then where does evil come from? I believe it is also only God who can answer this question satisfactorily.

As of today, no one can yet give any scientific explanation of how this whole world came into being and how it is going to be in the future. A great thinker, Rev. Teilhard de Chardin, S.J., has presented the Theory of Evolution. But it is only a kind of viewpoint that cannot give an adequate complete answer to all the mysteries happening in this world.

As a Christian, I am awed by the great Mystery of “Incarnation”, God becoming Man. I simply cannot fathom the unconditional love of God that made Him like one of us, so we could become like Him. I am likewise overwhelmed when I think of the other Mysteries of Christ during His historical life here on earth, such as His Suffering and Death, and His RESURRECTION. Even with all the readings I had, with all the homilies I heard, and with all the renewal programs I attended, I still cannot fully understand these mysteries in the Life of Christ.

Hence, I see myself like a small dot living in a world full of mysteries. In all humility I acknowledge my total dependence on GOD who created me and say: “Lord, do with me as You please. You are the only One who really knows Who I am and Why I am. To do Your Holy Will is the reason for my existence. I, therefore, entrust myself fully to You.”

by: Salvador 'Buddy' Cagurangan
December 12, 2010

LIVE FOR GOD

“LIVE FOR GOD”. This is the thought that has been occupying my mind for the past several days. Hence, I have been reflecting on “WHY” and “HOW” I could put this into practice.

First is the “WHY?”

I believe that life is a gift from God. It is given to every human being who comes into this world. Since it is a gift, I have to accept, treasure and use it according to what may be called “Manual for Operations”. This manual comes from God Himself Who in His infinite wisdom has designed every human being in a unique way which gives him a unique personality that is different from every other human being. Hence, it is but proper to always consider God’s Will in the way I live.

Second is the “HOW?”

How to live according to the Will of God is now the question.

First of all, I have to know the Will of God. This requires my sincere desire to know God’s Will and to search for it in the many different ways by which God manifests His Will. Some of the ways by which God manifests His Will are:
1. The Holy Scripture. This is the written Word of God which if I properly and regularly reflect upon always gives me a direction for my actions.
2. Spiritual Writings. Reading spiritual books gives much enlightenment on how I can tackle problems or difficulties that come to my life.
3. Viewpoints of others. Listening to oral deliveries of the viewpoints of others also give inspiring thoughts that can serve as guidelines for my actions.
4. Observations. My observations of actual happenings in life can likewise give important insights in understanding some mysteries of life.
5. Personal Experiences. My personal experiences further strengthen my convictions on the REALITIES that provide the basic values that should govern my life.

After knowing the Will of God, I always PRAY for enough courage to pursue it in the best way I can and with all the love I can give. This to me is the test of my sincerity in trying to LIVE FOR GOD. This is also when my attitude is tested on whether I am really GOD CENTERED or SELF CENTERED. This, I believe, is what Our Lord Jesus Christ meant when He said: “He who wants to be my disciple must deny himself, take up his cross daily and come follow Me.” (Lk. 9:23)

To LIVE FOR GOD, then, means to me “TO BE GOD CENTERED”.

by: Salvador 'Buddy' Cagurangan

Nov. 21, 2010

HOLD GOD'S HAND

“WE OUGHT TO GO THROUGH LIFE HOLDING GOD’S HAND.” This is the first line of a Meditation For Spiritual Growth contained in the Vatican II Weekday Missal on page 1568.

The image of one holding God’s Hand flashed in my mind and it made me reflect on how I could be holding God’s Hand. “HOLDING GOD’S HAND” is of course an idiomatic expression – a kind of metaphor. I believe, however, that the real meaning is “TO BE UNITED WITH GOD”.

To further understand what it means to be united with God I pondered on the human experience of an electric current coming from a generator. The electric current is power provided by the generator. To use this power one has to have his electric appliances connected to the generator, otherwise there would be no current at all. And thus one would experience what they call “brown out”.

After typhoon Juan, we have actually gone through a long period of brown out. Everyone waited anxiously for power to be restored. Meanwhile we have to bear with so many inconveniences due to no electric power.

Somehow this experience enlightened me on what it means to be united with God. I see God as the Generator that provides the power I need to live in His love. “Holding God’s Hand” is to me living in the state of grace wherein I would be “doing the Will of God” and thus uniting with Him.

The meditation further states: “There is much suffering that has to be gone through in this life, and it makes all the difference of pleasure or pain, whether we have our hand in God’s or not….Try and love God. He wants us all to be saints. It is our own fault if we are not. In spite of darkness and despondency we must keep on asking Him to be with us.”

When one is united with God, sufferings and difficulties that are inevitable in his life can be born with joy. So, I believe that God, indeed, is our Father, and He will provide each of us with all the power and strength that we need to overcome all kinds of trials. Hence, we have to be always united with Him by sincerely doing what our conscience tells us as His Holy Will.

The only evil that can separate us from God is SIN – a mortal sin – because this is an act that deliberately prefers to please oneself and make himself his own God instead of acknowledging the Sovereignty of God and His Dominion over all creation – He, being the Supreme Being in this world – the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and End of the whole universe.

by: Salvador 'Buddy' Cagurangan
Nov. 14, 2010

SHARE WHAT YOU HAVE

“SHARE WHAT YOU HAVE” is an afterthought that came to my mind when I attended a Reunion of Thomasians (Alumni of the University of Santo Tomas). While I did participate in the open forum by asking a couple of questions, I became just a spectator during the Fellowship Program in the evening. I had in mind to share my concern for the unabated deforestation of Sierra Madre Mountain and sing a song “The Trees”, but my timidity got the better of me and I just kept to myself my idea.

After the program, I felt somehow a guilty conscience for not having taken advantage of the occasion to share something that could help make this world a better place to live in. It is a kind of sin of omission.

This made me reflect further that one should dare share what he has whenever there is an opportunity to do so. What one has, materially as well as spiritually, should be shared with others and not kept for oneself.

Materially I do not have much to share. But spiritually there is, I believe, much that I can share based on some wonderful personal experiences and an accumulated store of knowledge from readings and studies.

Scripture says: “When much has been given a man, much will be required of him. More will be asked of a man to whom more has been entrusted” (Lk. 12:48)

The task of evangelization is, indeed, a sharing of one’s Faith. The faith I have in God’s infinite wisdom, infinite goodness, infinite power and unconditional love is something I should not keep for myself but should share with others whenever there is an opportunity to do so. This, I believe, is God’s Will which is the reason for my existence in this world.

by: Salvador 'Buddy' Cagurangan
Nov. 7, 2010