Sergeant Calaguas

SERGEANT CALAGUAS is a World War 2 Hero who was honored with a Medal that is considered the HIGHEST AWARD that could be given to an enlisted man. It is said that if he wears the Medal and he meets a General, the General should salute him first. Why? The following is his story, published in the Philippine Star several years ago, which had deeply impressed me.

Sgt. Calaguas was a Mess Sergeant when the Japanese soldiers attacked their barrack in Bataan, and their Machine Gunner was shot dead. The Captain ordered Sgt. Calaguas to take over. Immediately responding to the order, Sgt. Calaguas took hold of the machine gun and just fired and fired without any let up. The Japs were taken aback and had to retreat. Thus Sgt. Calaguas saved his Company from a Japanese onslaught on that day. After the world war, Sgt. Calaguas who was then residing in the United States came back as a ‘balikbayan’ to the Philippines. He was met by media men at the international airport and one praised him saying: “Sgt. Calaguas you must be very brave”. In reply Sgt. Calaguas said: “No, I was also afraid. But when it comes to serving my country I give all I have got.”

Time and again this reply of Sgt. Calaguas rings in my ears. It comes especially in those moments when I am faced with some difficulties in doing a given task. Human as I am, I am inclined to take it easy, consider what is most convenient for me, or take the least resistance. But the words of Sgt. Calaguas “I am also afraid, but when it comes to serving my country I give all I have got” keep on challenging me. For if he can say that, I ask myself the question – “When it comes to serving the Lord God, can I not also give all that I have got?”

The said question is, indeed, a Challenge to my Faith in Christ Jesus. If truly I consider the Lord Jesus Christ as God, the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity, to whom I owe everything that I am, then I must serve Him with all the love and strength that I can give. He deserves no less than the best that I can possibly do.

Being able to serve God is, indeed, a great privilege. When I consider the infinite Goodness and Greatness of God I cannot but be filled with joy when He gives me an opportunity to serve Him. I believe that God has created me so He could use me in His work of creation. No human being can ever fathom the great mystery of God’s Creation. It is, I believe, something without end, which shall continue in the life hereafter. As God uses me now in my earthly life, I do believe that He will continue to use me in the next life. How He will use me will most likely depend on how I cooperate with His grace in serving Him here on earth.

The example of Sgt. Calaguas continues to inspire me to really serve the Lord God with all the love I can give and in the best way I can do. This certainly requires my wholehearted commitment to share my time, talents and treasure in performing whatever task is entrusted to me. It is a tall order, realizing my limitations and imperfections, but I totally depend on God’s constant graces for WITHOUT HIM I CAN DO NOTHING, BUT WITH HIM NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE.

by: Salvador 'Birung' Cagurangan

July 24, 2011

Today Is Not Yesterday

“TODAY IS NOT YESTERDAY.” This statement of Rev. Fr. Horacio de la Costa, SJ, in one of his articles, made me ponder on its significance in my daily life. He further proposes the following attitudes to cope with life in a changing world, namely: openness to change, adaptability and discernment.

1. Openness to Change
I, indeed, realize the truth of what Rev. Fr. Teilhard de Chardin,SJ, said in his book, ‘The Phenomenon of Man’ that this world is constantly in the process of evolution, that the Church itself is in evolution, and that man himself is ‘Evolution becoming conscious of himself’. This reality calls for constant RENEWAL – to make things new again.
I, for one, have undergone the following Renewal Programs: The Life in the Spirit Seminar (LSS), the Marriage Encounter (ME) and the Parish Renewal Experience (PREX) Seminar. The said programs have renewed my Christian Faith, particularly in the way I should relate to God and my fellowmen. These have made me aware of God’s unconditional love for men, and of all men’s equality in dignity in the eyes of God. While we still have to give due respect especially to those in authority, we, nevertheless, have to maintain our dignity as children of God, which is the same for all men, regardless of their positions in this world.

2. Adaptability
Adaptations have to be made to conform to changes in perceptions or present realities. As an example, the Church itself has made an adaptation in the way the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is celebrated. Years back, the Priest Celebrant has his back turned to the people during the celebration of the Holy Mass. Since 1965, after Vatican II, which views the Church as the People of God, the Priest Celebrant now faces the people, signifying his being one with them. Now therefore, knowing that the Holy Mass is a Community Public Worship of God, I participate in the Mass by praying and singing together with the people instead of doing my own private prayers. I also strive to see how I could help in my own community, since this is where God wants me to serve as a member of a Basic Ecclesial Community.

3. Discernment
In any situation one could be faced with several options as a course of action. Hence, one needs to discern which course of action he should take to address the situation. As for me, the process of discernment usually begins with a prayer, asking for enlightenment from the Holy Spirit. Then, after sizing up the situation, and motivated by the desire to always do whatever would be in accordance with the Will of God, I make a decision which enables me to do what I could possibly do under the circumstances and leave to God the rest.

We, indeed, live in a CHANGING WORLD. so I see the wisdom of Fr. Horacio de la Costa’s advice to cope with change, by OPENNESS TO CHANGE, TO ADAPT TO THE CHALLENGES OF CHANGE, and TO DISCERN THE BEST OPTION TO MEET THE REALITY OF CHANGE.

by: Salvador 'Buddy' Cagurangan
July 17, 2011

God's Inscrutable Ways

GOD’S WAYS ARE INSCRUTABLE. This is the thought that has been running in my mind in the past few days while I was reflecting on the story of Joseph, the son of Jacob, as narrated in the Book of Genesis, which was the subject matter in the First Reading at the celebration of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass during the first week of July, 2011.

The story of Joseph, I presume, is known to all Christians who have been reading the Bible. For me, it is a story that baffles my imagination. From an incident that practically made Joseph helpless, in the eyes of his brothers, into a very influential man which made his brothers bow down before him – this, indeed, is a wonderful story which shows how God can affect, guide or control events to make the good triumph over evil.

Looking back at my past life, I recall certain events that, indeed, weighed me down. But in the course of time, I have been lifted up to certain positions in the field of education and politics which were beyond my expectations.

In a company which I helped to start from the scratch, I served as the First Office Manager for a period of six years. I was then groomed to become the Assistant General Manager and eventually the General Manager, for which reason I was given the opportunity to take a course of Master in Business Administration (MBA) at the Ateneo de Manila University. When the time came, however, that the position of Assistant General Manager has to be filled in, someone else, who practically knew nothing about the business was the one chosen. I actually had to orient him on some basic rudiments and mechanics on the operation of the business. It was, then, that I thought of changing my job from office work to a teaching career.

The University of the East in Manila gave me the first two years of teaching in the College of Business Administration from 1964 to 1966. From the College level I was offered a Post Graduate Teaching load at the Ateneo de Manila University in the MBA Program. From there I was invited to serve as College Dean in several schools, namely, Divine Word College of Urdaneta, St. Louis College of Tuguegarao, St. Louis College of San Fernando, Divine Word College of Laoag and St. Paul College of Tuguegarao. I found my teaching career more challenging and fulfilling than that of my past office work.

Aside from my work in the field of education, I was also given the opportunity to serve in the field of politics as a Municipal Councilor in my hometown, Tuguegarao, for eight consecutive years.

As a kind of sideline, the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) also engaged my services as a Consultant in the NEDA Regional Office of Region 02 for a period of two years.
I am about to reach the age of 83 years and as I look back at the path of my life I could clearly see the providential care of God for me, especially in those times when I was in dire need of help materially as well as spiritually. How He made use of people and events to pull me out from critical situations were beyond my expectations. Indeed, God’s Ways are inscrutable.

by: Salvador 'Buddy' Cagurangan
July 10, 2011

Here & Now

In one of his articles, entitled “Jesuit Formation for the Seventies”, Rev. Fr. Horacio de la Costa, SJ, said: “The Blessed Trinity had all eternity to think about the proper time for our Lord to be born, and what time did they choose? Censor-taking time, when everybody in Palestine was on the move and there were no hotel reservations to be had anywhere. But it turned out all right, after all.”

This made me ponder of my existence in this world. Why was I born to live here and now? Would it not have been better had I been born earlier or later?

The simple answer for me is: “GOD’S INFINITE WISDOM”. I can never fathom the immensity of God’s Wisdom and Knowledge and so, in all humility I simply have to accept whatever God has designed for me. That I exist here and now is in God’s design, and I just have to live in the best way I can under the circumstances of the present life in this world.

Life cannot be lived in a vacuum. It can only be lived in concrete situations. Hence, I have to take into consideration the people I am living with right now, the resources or means of livelihood that are available to me right now, the social environment that affects my relationship with the community where I live, the economic viability that affects the standard or cost of living in my country, and the ecological atmosphere that affects my quality of life.

Taking all the above into consideration, I have made a life guidepost that is designed to put myself in the hands of God. In this way He could use me for whatever may contribute towards making this world a better place to live in.

The Life Guidepost I have designed is focused on DOING THE WILL OF GOD. Hence, when I wake up in the morning I pray: “Lord, what is it that you want me to do today? Do fill my mind with your thoughts, my heart with your desires, my body with your strength, so that I may be able to do whatever you want me to do today in the best way I can and all for your greater glory.” Then, with my mind and heart I sing this song:

“Rejoice ever more, for this is the Will of God (3x)
In Christ Jesus concerning you.
Pray without ceasing, for this is the Will of God (3x)
In Christ Jesus concerning you.
In everything give thanks, for this is the Will of God (3x)
In Christ Jesus concerning you.”

by: Salvador 'Buddy' Cagurangan
July 3, 2011

A Mission Everyday

“A MISSION EVERYDAY” . This is the thought that fills my mind today. After some deep reflection, I am convinced that everyday God wants me to do something with Him and for Him. Thus, everyday I have a MISSION to accomplish.

This mission could be something great or small. It is great if its consequences would be significant enough to cover a multitude of people. It is small if it would affect only a few people or just myself. I believe, however, that it does not matter if it is great or small, for what actually counts is the WILL of GOD.

Reflecting on my daily life, the activities I undertake could be categorized into three, namely: 1 – the routine activities, 2 – the planned activities, 3 – the unforeseen activities.

Routine activities would consist of eating, drinking, sleeping, exercising, bathing and other activities that I do usually to maintain my physical health.

Planned activities are those that I have committed myself to undertake for the good of others or for my own welfare. Such activities are: praying the Liturgy of the Hours, participating in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, visiting the Blessed Sacrament, playing the organ, attending scheduled meetings, making necessary preparations towards the implementation of desired community or group objectives.

Unforeseen activities are those that would require my immediate attention in order to meet an immediate need of others or of myself. Such would be an emergency case, like helping someone who is a victim of an accident or having a body ailment that needs an immediate medical treatment; or some unexpected event that one has to respond to, like a strong typhoon, a fire, an earthquake, or similar disasters.

Whether they are routine, planned or unforeseen activities, I am convinced that what really matters is the WILL OF GOD.

Thus, when I get up in the morning, I lift up my mind in prayer and ask God: “Lord God, what is it that you want me to do today? Here I am, I come to do your Will”. I then try to foresee the activities that I need to undertake during that day. These may be quite easy as paying electric, telephone or water bills; depositing in banks or withdrawing from ATMs. Or these may pose some difficulties, like complying with requirements needed to accomplish financial transactions, or preparing some pertinent materials to facilitate the deliberations on certain issues at stake during meetings or conferences. As I try to visualize these activities, I just put myself, so to say, in the hands of God, and ask Him for enlightenment and strength to do whatever He wants me to do. I then remind myself of what a spiritual writer has said: “God does not expect you to be successful, but He wants you to be faithful.” With this thought in mind, I just do whatever I can possibly do and leave the rest to God.

At the end of the day, I then pray to God: “Lord God, I have done today whatever I could possibly do to accomplish the MISSION you have entrusted to me. Thank you for all the inspiration, enlightenment and strength you have given me. For whatever shortcomings I may have committed, please do bear with my imperfections. I know that with all the graces you have given me I earnestly tried to do Your Will in the best way I can and all for YOUR GREATER GLORY.

by: Salvador 'Buddy' Cagurangan
June 26, 2011

AN ENCOUNTER WITH GOD

“AN ENCOUNTER WITH GOD IN THE PERSON OF JESUS CHRIST” This is how I see the Holy Mass after reading an article written by Rev. Fr. Horacio de la Costa, SJ, entitled: DAILY MASS – A DOMESTIC EXHORTATION.

In his article, Fr. De la Costa presented the HOLY MASS as a SACRIFICE, a REMEMBRANCE, and a SACRAMENT. He said: As a SACRIFICE, “we offer God all that we are and do.” …”God then transmutes our sorry and bedraggled gift into the perfect Gift who is Christ Himself. Our offering remains our offering: what Our blessed Lord does is to make it acceptable by making it his own.” As a REMEMBRANCE, “we remember Christ who redeemed us on the Cross….It does not merely bring to mind a past event; it brings us into the very presence of that Event; of the Person who is the heart of that Event.”… It brings us to Christ, who “is no mere historical memory, no purely ideal being, but a living and undying person.” As a SACRAMENT, “it is the sign of Christ, and it contains the Christ whom it signifies….He is present under the appearances of bread….Bread has one purpose, to be eaten; and by being eaten to give life. But this sacramental bread is not like other bread. It does not pass into the substance of him who eats it; rather, he who eats of this bread becomes united to, one body with, him whom it signifies and is.”

Reflecting on these statements of Father de la Costa I more and more believe that the Mass is a very special event simply because God, in the Person of Jesus Christ, becomes present in a very mystical way. The Mass then is an opportunity to really encounter GOD, the all-powerful Supreme Being in this world.

I have been taught and have also taught others that the Holy Mass has two (2) main parts - the Liturgy of the Word, and the Liturgy of the Eucharist. As I actually participate in daily Mass I experience that Part 1 is a preparation for the Special Actual Encounter with Christ, the Son of God.

Briefly, Part 1 gives one the opportunity to acknowledge his sinfulness and ask for forgiveness. Then, he is inspired to listen to God from scriptural writers in the Old and New Testaments. Later, he listens to Christ Himself in the Gospel and the homily by the Presider which follows. Finally, he renews his Act of Faith in the Blessed Trinity. Petitions from the faithful are then lifted up together with the Offering of one’s self to God.

Part 2 brings one the joy that only God can impart as, united with the Angels and Saints, he welcomes Our Lord Jesus Christ, Who becomes really present, under the appearances of Bread and Wine, when the Priest Celebrant pronounces the Words of Consecration: “This is My Body…This is the cup of My Blood”.

GOD, then, in the Person of Christ, is PRESENT in a very special way at the Altar. It is with the eyes of Faith that we can see this GREAT MYSTERY actually happening in our very midst. It is with the eyes of Faith that we can say together with the apostle, St. Thomas: “MY LORD AND MY GOD”.

The HOLY MASS or EUCHARISTIC CELEBRATION is, therefore, a VERY SPECIAL ENCOUNTER with GOD IN THE PERSON OF JESUS CHRIST.

by: Salvador 'Buddy' Cagurangan
June 19, 2011

A PARTING MESSAGE

The Radio Maria of Tuguegarao City invited me yesterday to share something of myself in their Radio Program “TRUE CONFESSIONS”. Towards the end of the program they asked me to give a Parting Message. The following is the message I gave.

This year 2011 I shall be reaching the age of 83. People at this age are usually considered to be already at the departure area. Before I depart, however, there are two (2) things which I strongly suggest the Filipino people will consider seriously.

First, is in the field of Religion.
Today, June 12, 2011, we are celebrating the Feast of Pentecost. Pentecost is considered the Birth of the Church founded by Christ. Our Church in the Philippines, I believe, needs to be reborn. Rev. Fr. Horacio de la Costa, SJ, in one of his homilies said: “In our country we are confronted with the problem of restoring Christ to a society no longer Christian. It may call itself Christian, it may even call itself Catholic; but its standards of action of both public and private life are certainly not those of Christ. Such a society is beyond repair. It must be reconstructed from top to bottom; it must be, in a sense, reborn. Christ must be reborn in it. His truth, His way, His abounding life, at every level, in the home, in the shop, in the office, in the councils of government.”

For the Church to be reborn, Rev. Fr. Catalino Arevalo, SJ, speaking at the Second Plenary Council of the Philippines in 1991 said: “The Church must be like GOD. GOD in Latin is DEUS. Like God, there must be Diversity, Equality, Unity and Sharing. Hence, in the Church there should be a Diversity of Functions, but Equality in Dignity, and true love should lead to Unity and Sharing of resources. In our Church today, there is still too much of division, instead of unity. If only we could truly practice what Christ said: “Love one another as I have loved you”, I believe we can become a Church, a Community of Believers, like the model of God Himself.

Second, is in the field of economics.
In our country we have been grappling with the problem of poverty. I believe that a very effective way of addressing this problem is the COOPERATIVE SYSTEM. In the cooperative system, it is man that talks; while in the Capitalistic system, it is money that talks. In the Cooperative system, the main motive is service, while in the Capitalistic system, the main motive is profit. In the Cooperative system, the net savings are distributed equitably to those who contributed to the income of the Coop, while in the Capitalistic system, the net profit goes mostly to those who provided the capital or investment. Hence, it is in the Cooperative system that a just and fair distribution of wealth can be realized, while in the capitalistic system, the rich become richer and richer and the poor become poorer and poorer.

This, therefore, is my parting message. I wonder how many will listen to this message and how many will consider it seriously and take the necessary action towards its implementation. I would like to believe, however, that it may be like a seed that I planted today, and hope that somehow it shall be watered by others who agree with me, so that with the grace of God, our Church in the Philippines will be reborn, and our people shall be lifted up from the oppressive burden of poverty.

by: Salvador 'Buddy' Cagurangan
June 13, 2011

WHO AM I?

“WHO AM I?” This is the question I have asked myself time and again in order to find meaning to my life. My reflections have made me realize important facts about myself.

My very existence is a fact. But how did I come into existence? I realize that I could not have come into existence by my own power. Before coming into existence I realize that I was simply nothing. Someone, then, must have brought me into existence. That someone to me is “GOD”.

In bringing me into existence, God must have a reason. It is in this reason that I must find the meaning to my life.

God, certainly, is the greatest mystery in this world. No human being can ever fully comprehend him. But, somehow, we can get a glimpse of Who He is from what He has created in this world. This whole world is, indeed, a great universe full of creatures with immense powers and capacities. Be that as it is, they all depend for their existence in the creative power of Almighty GOD. Hence, God must be Someone greater than the whole universe – whose being is a MYSTERY beyond any human understanding. However, our Christian Faith, tells us that God has revealed himself thru his own beloved Son, Jesus Christ, who became Man like us, so that we could become like Him a Child of God.

Jesus Christ, during his historical life here on earth, taught us that GOD is our FATHER, that He loves each and everyone of us, and that He has destined us to be with Him forever in His kingdom where there will be everlasting peace and joy.

From these revelations of God Himself, I must find the meaning to my life.

If God is our Father, then as His child I must obey Him by doing whatever He wants me to do. Doing His Will in all circumstances and at all times must be the reason for my existence. This is what Christ Himself taught in the Lord’s Prayer: “Thy Will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”

The above reflections actually dwell on what spiritual writers, like Rev. Fr. Horacio de la Costa, SJ, consider to be the most important truth in the world, namely, about God and man. In his homily at a Baccalaureate Mass of the University of the East, Manila, Fr. De la Costa said: “The most important truth in the world is the truth about God and man. Though you should learn all things else, if you fail to learn that, you have learned nothing. For that, and that alone, is what gives value to our knowledge and meaning and direction in our lives. It is the map that tells us what the harbor is to which we must steer our ship across the waters of this life.”

Knowing who I am – one who was nothing but brought into existence by the creative power of God – I realize my complete dependence on God Who created me and continues to sustain my being. I, therefore, have no other reason to exist but to do whatever God wants me to do.

Realizing the greatness of God, His immense power and His infinite goodness and love for all mankind whom He has created, I surrender myself entirely to Him, put all my trust in Him, fully convinced that God, indeed, is the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End, and with Him everything will turn out well.

by: Salvador 'Buddy' Cagurangan
June 12, 2011

GOD IN ACTION

“GOD IS IN ACTION HERE AND NOW”.

For the past several days this thought keeps running in my mind.

It is especially when I am participating in the celebration of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass that I become aware of God using the Priest, the Commentator, the Lectors, and the faithful who are present, for the REANACTMENT of the LORD’S EUCHARISTIC SACRIFICE.

The following are the reflections which have led me to make the said statement:

1. God is the Almighty Creator of the whole universe.

2. Everything in this world depends on God’s creative power for its existence.

3. God, in His infinite Wisdom, has a plan for the whole universe.

4. God, wants everything in this world to contribute towards the fulfillment of His plan.

5. Hence, God is active here and now, to enable every creature to do its part according to His plan.

Having the above reflections, I realize that I am, indeed, an instrument of
God for the fulfillment of His plan.

Since what I am doing right now is what God wants me to do, I should do it in the best way I can and with all the love that I can give.

Everyday, therefore, as I wake up in the morning I pray to God: “Here I am Oh God, I come to do Your Will. Do fill my mind with Your Thoughts, my heart with Your Desires and my whole body with Your Strength, so that I may be able to accomplish whatever You want me to do today.”

The above prayer makes me focus on what God wants me to do. Sometimes I am confronted with some difficulties or problems. However, I remind myself of what spiritual writers say: ”God does not expect you to be successful, but He wants you to be faithful.” Hence, regardless of whatever difficulties there may be, I just do what I can possibly do and let God do the rest.

by: Salvador 'Buddy' Cagurangan
June 5, 2011

HAVE FAITH IN GOD

HAVE FAITH IN GOD, no matter what happens.

This is the thought that came to me after reading an article written by Rev. Fr. Francis D. Alvarez, SJ, a Chaplain of Philippine General Hospital, published in the Philippine Star, May 22, 2011.

Fr. Alvarez realized that God can go beyond procedures and technicalities and make things happen according to His own will.

This sharing of Fr. Alvarez has actually strengthened my Faith in God.

In my past life, I indeed prayed for many thanks that did not materialize.

I prayed to be ordained a Priest. For eleven years I studied for the priesthood, but somehow I was not offered the grace of ordination. When I lost my first wife, a Bishop, Most Rev. Pedro Magugat, MSC, wanted to ordain me and commission me as an Army Chaplain. Rome, however, denied my application for ordination, since at that time I still had three children below the age of 21.

I prayed for a house of my own wherein I could give a decent living for my family. God, however, made me travel from one town to another, so that the best alternative for me was to stay in buildings for rent.

I prayed for a retirement benefit that would be adequate to provide for my basic needs till my last breath, but now I am receiving a monthly pension of only P3,500 from the SSS, which is hardly enough to meet my daily sustenance.

God, however, answered my prayers in His own way.

Yes, I was not ordained a Priest. But as a layman God gave me many opportunities to serve Him in the field of Evangelization. After my retirement from St. Paul University at the age of 60, I was commissioned to serve as the Archdiocesan Catechetical Coordinator of the Archdiocese of Tuguegarao for eighteen years. I was further elected to serve as the President of the Archdiocesan Council of the Laity since 1964 up to now. At present I am serving in our parish as an Extraordinary Minister of Communion and a Lector. Now and then, due to lack of priests, I am asked to conduct a Bible Service with Communion in some Barangay Chapels.

While I could not build a house of my own, God provided me with a decent place to live in at the ancestral house of my second wife, Ofelia Quimosing.

Although my monthly pension is inadequate, God also gave me a Life-Partner, whose retirement benefits could take care of our basic necessities, hopefully for the rest of our life.

God, therefore, will always answer our prayers – not always in the way we want, but in His Own Way – a Better Way.

by: Salvador 'Buddy' Cagurangan
June 1, 2011