THE GREATEST LOVE STORY

               The Greatest Love Story is what our Christian Faith tells us in the Mystery of Incarnation which we celebrate today – December 25 – the CHRISTMAS DAY.

            Time and again I have been wondering how such a LOVE STORY could happen in the history of mankind.  That man is created by God – the Mystery of Creation – is a reality that every right thinking man accepts.  That man is aided by God to become holy – the Mystery of Sanctification – is also accepted by all men of humble heart.  That God, however, has deigned to become Man, to live in this world for 33 years, and allow Himself to be criticized, to be scorned, to be condemned to death, to be cruelly scourged, crucified and put to death – the Mystery of Redemption – is, indeed, very hard for me to believe. 

            Scripture says, however, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, so that all those who believe in Him should not perish, but  have life everlasting.”  (John 3:16)

            It is said that the whole Bible is summarized in this Scripture verse (John 3:16)  It simply shows how deeply God loves mankind to the extent of becoming a man like us, so He could  carry the CROSS of SUFFERING and accept even DEATH, in order to obtain for mankind  the GRACE OF REDEMPTION FROM SIN and BE REUNITED WITH GOD.

            This for me is a LOVE STORY that astounds me, even as it is a story that has been told over and over again, orally as well as in writing not only in the Bible but in many other publications.  It is a story that has inspired and strengthened thousands of men and women to dedicate their lives to spread its significance, and embrace all the crosses, even death, to testify to its veracity and power.

            With all these observations, I cannot but bend my knee and say: “Oh, Lord, my God, I can never fully grasp the depth of your Love for mankind, for me in particular.  But with deep gratitude I do accept this Great Mystery of Your Love.  Please give me the grace to respond to your GREAT LOVE according to your HOLY WILL.

By: Buddy Cagurangan 

December 25, 2011

THE JOY OF SERVING GOD

               “THE JOY OF SERVING GOD” is to me the greatest joy that can ever fill my heart.  While there may be many others that could give joy to me, they cannot compare with the joy that comes from the privilege of ‘SERVING GOD’.

            This is the conviction that comes to me as I view the happenings in my life and search for the root cause of my joy. 

            First of all, the one thing that really fills my heart with joy is “SERVICE”.  When I know that somehow I have done something to serve someone in one way or another I simply  feel happy. 

            When I read the story of Sergeant Calaguas, a soldier who was honored with the highest Military Award that could be given to a soldier, so much so that when he wears this medal and meets a General, the General should salute him first.  When, however, he was interviewed and praised for his bravery, I was struck by his statement:  “I AM ALSO AFRAID, BUT WHEN IT COMES TO SERVING MY COUNTRY, I GIVE ALL I HAVE GOT”.

           

            These words of Sergeant Calaguas have been ringing in my ears,  and kept me reflecting on why a human being like him could sacrifice his own life for the sake of his country.  It is, indeed, in the name of “SERVICE’ – to fight and protect his country.  For this he was willing and ready to die… It was a JOY for him to do so.

            I then asked myself:  If Sergeant Calaguas can find meaning and joy in serving  his country to the extent of sacrificing his own life, can I not find meaning and joy in serving the LORD, GOD, by living my life according to His Holy Will?   The answer is, indeed, a CONVICTION that SERVICE TO THE SUPREME BEING, MY GOD, IS  THE GREATEST PRIVILEGE THAT CAN EVER BE GIVEN TO A HUMAN BEING.   Consequently, I believe, that the Greatest Joy that could ever fill my heart is THE JOY OF SERVING GOD.

            Everyday, therefore, as I wake up in the morning, I pray: “Lord God, in what way would You like me to serve You today.  Here, I am, Lord, I come to do Your Will.”  I then rise up filled with joy that God is giving me the privilege to SERVE HIM TODAY.

By: Buddy Cagurangan 

December 18, 2011

JUST BE WHAT YOU ARE

            “JUST BE WHAT YOU ARE,  REGARDLESS OF WHAT OTHERS SAY OR DO TO YOU.”

            This was the thought that came to me that gave me the spirit of EQUANIMITY when someone belittled me and simply ignored an authority given to me.

            EQUANIMITY,  according to Webster’s Dictionary, is an evenness of mind, especially under stress, a right disposition, a balance.  This, I believe, is what I should strive to maintain under all circumstances  which in one way or another try to harm or destroy  the dignity  of my BEING, that God in His infinite Goodness has bestowed on me.

            Since God is the very source of my being,  I must be someone  that nobody can destroy,  for as long as I remain in the creative power of my Creator.  This is what I am, and this is how I should consider myself, regardless of what others may say or do to me.

            Our Christian Faith tells us, however, that there is one thing that can alienate any one’s being from God, and that is called “MORTAL SIN”.  God, in creating man, has given him the gift of Freedom, to enable him to respond positively to God’s love.  When man, however, uses this gift to deny or ignore God’s love, he alienates himself from God, and thus commits SIN.  Since God does not force anyone to love Him,  He simply will let go those who believe they can live without God.  This separation from God is actually the greatest harm that can happen to a human being,  because somehow he loses his equanimity, his evenness of mind,  his right disposition to the Creator who brought him into existence.

            To be what I am, therefore, means that I should always see the Goodness that God has bestowed on me out of love and should not be disturbed by anything or anybody that may want to do harm or destroy me, because as long as God is with me I am indestructible.  The only thing that I should be afraid of and which I should avoid by all means is “MORTAL SIN”, because this is the only thing that can separate me from God – a separation that can cause my own destruction – destroying my equanimity – the right disposition to God, my Creator.

By: Buddy Cagurangan 

December 11, 2011

TO SERVE GOD NOW AND FOREVER

               “TO SERVE GOD NOW AND FOREVER”.   This for me is the reason for my existence.

            For quite sometime I have been reflecting on the following questions:

1.    Why did God bring me into existence – from nothingness to who I am?

2.    How long will I be in existence?

3.    What is it that God wants me to do during my existence?

To the first question I believe that the answer is LOVE.     God   created me

 to manifest His love.  I am one of those whom God had decided to create to manifest His infinite Love and Power.

            To the second question I believe that the answer is FOREVER.  GOD has deigned to design me to live with Him forever. 

            To the third question my answer is SERVICE.  I believe that the reason for my existence in this earthly life is to SERVE GOD, and I also believe that after my life here on earth I shall continue to SERVE GOD in whatever way He pleases.

            Since SERVICE is the reason for my existence, the question I asked myself is: “When and how should I serve?”   My answer is NOW.  The past has been a series of NOWS and the future shall also be a series of NOWS.  Hence, the present – NOW – is the time to serve God in the best way I can and with all the love I can give.

            The present moment – NOW – is,  therefore,  of utmost importance.  Whatever I do NOW cannot be repeated  - it becomes a part of history.  The NOWS that will come after the Present Moment – will also become the NOWS that will challenge me on what to do.

            What to do NOW depends on the situation I am in.  It is said that love cannot be done in a vacuum – it has to be done in a concrete situation.   And one’s situation keeps on changing every moment; for as President Obama has said: “One does not step on the same river twice.”  Hence, in every moment of my life I have to ask myself: What is it that God wants me to do NOW under the present circumstances.  Foremost in my mind should be what I believe is most pleasing to God or what is His Holy Will.  This for me is the SERVICE which I have to render to God through all those He sends my way day in and day out.   This is the REASON for my EXISTENCE.

By: Buddy Cagurangan 

December 4, 2011

FLOWERS OFFERED TO GOD

            FLOWERS are generally considered as symbols of LOVE.  So, one day I asked myself the question: “What flowers can I possibly offer to God as symbols of my love?”

            In the church fresh flowers decorate the altar.  When there are celebrations, like  church weddings, almost the whole church is filled with flowers.  During the wake of a deceased person flowers are often placed near the coffin to signify sympathy and love.  On the birthdates of loved ones flowers are offered to manifest one’s love.  On other significant occasions, like a school graduation, flowers are given to graduates as tokens of congratulations.

            In the case of God,  Who is a Spirit,  I asked myself what could be a pleasing gift  that comes from one’s spirit. 

            Man is body and spirit.   When man acts, his action is done by his body and spirit.   Hence, whatever man does must have a spiritual dimension.  This, I believe,  is something that I as a man can offer to God to manifest my love.

            As I keep pondering, I reached the vision that what I could offer to God would be everything I do, big or small.  To be pleasing to God, however, whatever I do must be in conformity with His Holy Will.

            To know and do the Will of God is to me a continuous challenge that requires an earnest sincerity in searching the Will of God and a total humble dependence on His own grace to be able to do His Will despite all the hardships that it entails.

            This, to my mind, is the Real Big Challenge in my life – to sincerely say: ”Lord, not my will, but Thy Will be done!”  This is the challenge that Christ Himself experienced when at the garden of Gethsemane He prayed:  “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me, yet not as I will, but as Thou wilt.” (Matt. 26:39).

               With Jesus Christ as my model, everyday, as I visit Him in the Blessed Sacrament, I pray: “Here I am Lord, I come to do Your Will.” This prayer makes me feel enlightened and empowered to do God’s Will and thus enables me to  offer to Him my daily loving deeds as a my  “bouquet of flowers”.

By: Buddy Cagurangan 

Nov. 27, 2011            

GOD IN ACTION NOW

“GOD IS IN ACTION NOW”.  This thought has been lingering in my mind for the past few days.

I used to think of God as someone up in the heavens looking at His creation.  Yes,  the whole world is His creation and everything depends on His creative power, so that nothing can even exist without His almighty power.  When this world began and when it will end is still a great mystery  that has puzzled mankind since time immemorial.

It dawned on me, however, that God must be very much alive – not dead,  as some atheists allege.  If He is alive, being all-knowing and all-powerful, then somehow He must be involved in whatever is happening in the world. 

In a previous article that I wrote I dwelt on the mystery of man being a TEMPLE OF GOD.   St. Paul in his first letter to the Corinthians (1Cor.3:16) said: “Are you not aware that you are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?  If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him.  For the temple of God is holy, and you are that temple.”

If the Spirit of God dwells in me, then somehow  He must be present in me right now and knows whatever I am doing.  This consciousness of God’s presence in me makes me realize that, indeed, God is in action here and now through me.

The mystery of CREATION – Why God created the world, How He created it,  and What is its destiny- is, I believe, beyond human understanding.  For me, however, the bottom line for man’s joy in his existence is GOD’S PRESENCE.  Man’s life may have several stages – a preparatory stage of life on earth – a cleansing stage in a place called ‘purgatory’ -  a glorious stage in a place called ‘heaven’.  In all these stages, however, what really matters is GOD’S PRESENCE. 

For me, therefore, in whatever stage of life I may be, I must be in peace, because God is with me.  And because God is with me, I must put myself completely at His disposal and allow Him to use me as He pleases.  

The challenge for me now, is to be ever mindful of God’s Presence in me and hence to do everything that I do in conformity with His Holy Will, using all the talents He has given me in the best way I can and with all the love that I can give.

By: Buddy Cagurangan 

November 20, 2011

GOD’S TEMPLE

          “Are you not aware that you are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?  If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him.  For the temple of God is holy, and you are that temple.”  These are the words of St. Paul in his first letter to the Corinthians. (1Cor. 3:16) 

            It was on the Feast of the Dedication of St. John Lateran, November 9,  that the said epistle of St. Paul was read.  The Basilica of St. John Lateran in Rome is regarded as the “Head and Mother” of all churches in the world.  Hence, this is a special Feast that is celebrated throughout the whole world.

            Reflecting on the reading made me realize the greatness of my being as a Temple of God.  While the Basilica of St. John Lateran may be magnificent in its architectural structure, it is still made of materials that would eventually yield to the law of nature for their deterioration.   But as for me,  I am wonderfully made to live forever (Ps. 139: 14 & Matt. 25:46)

           

            A challenging question for  me now is: ”If I am God’s temple, what should I do?

            The following answers came to my mind.

            First, I must ADORE GOD.  Adoring God means I must humbly acknowledge my complete dependence on Him.  Without Him I am nothing and can do nothing.

            Second, I must LOVE GOD.  Loving God means I must strive to be conscious of His Presence in me and have a personal relationship with Him.

            Third, I must OBEY GOD.  Obeying God means I must be ready to do whatever He wants me to do with my whole mind, my whole heart, and with all my strength.

            To be able to do the above mentioned actions,  I have to develop the following virtues:

1.     The virtue of HUMILITY.  Humility is said to be the Truth.  Hence,  I must nurture in my mind the Truth that my very existence is a Gift from God and I owe everything that I am and that I have from Him.

2.     The virtue of LOVE.  Love is unselfishness.  To love God I must develop an attitude of offering everything that I can do for God’s glory.   It is an attitude of total self-sacrifice without expecting anything in return.

3.     The virtue of OBEDIENCE.  Obedience is self-surrender to the Will of God.  Paramount goal in my life must be to ‘Do God’s Will’.  Hence, everything I do must be in conformity with the Will of God. 

In short,  paraphrasing  what St. Paul said in his epistle to the Galatians

( 2: 20),  “it must  no longer I that lives, but it is God Who lives and reigns in me.”

By: Buddy Cagurangan 

November 13, 2011

EQUALITY BEFORE GOD

          BEFORE GOD ALL MEN ARE EQUAL.   This is the gist of an article written by Rev. Fr. Oliver G. Dy, SJ, published in the SAMBUHAY, dated October 30, 2011.  He reflected on the Words of Christ in Matt. 23: 8-12 which reads: “As for you, do not be called ‘Rabbi’.  You have but one teacher, and you are all brothers.  Call no one on earth your father; you have but one Father in heaven.  Do not be called ‘Master’; you have but one master, the Christ.  The greatest among you must be your servant.  Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”

          Life in this world, however, is a string of relationships wherein some kind of authority or power is exercised by someone over another, either on a one-to one basis or on others depending on the extent of the authority vested on him.  Hence, Fr. Dy says: ”In the normal course of human interaction, a person in authority cannot but be a step higher than those under him. A power relationship is “asymmetrical”.  The master is above the slave, the jail warden above the detainee, the prison official above the convict, the parent above the child, the teacher above the student, the priest or pastor above the flock.  It is the nature of power to create, preserve, or reinforce a hierarchy.”

          In the Catholic Church there is such a HIERARCHY.  The Pope exercises power over the whole Church.  The Bishops together with some members of the clergy exercise power over a defined segment of the Church.  The clergy as a whole exercise power over the laity.  This exercise of power, however, should be seen as a gift to be used to perform a certain function, and not to make oneself higher in dignity than others.  In the Church we certainly have different functions, but we all have one and the same dignity – the dignity of being children of God.

          To further elaborate on this exercise of power Fr. Dy cited the example of St. Augustine of Hippo who said: “To you I am a bishop, but with you I am a Christian” The saint admitted to the fact that God had called him to be in ministerial power, but at the same time affirmed that he was a companion and friend with all the baptized.  It was his sense of “being-with” others that guided Augustine in the exercise of his Episcopal powers.  The ultimate meaning of power is, therefore, its possessor’s ability to actualize his personal “oneness” with the people over whom he exercises such power.  The one in power is called to be one with the people.

            Equality before God is based on the reality that all men owe their existence on God’s creative power,  without which they would simply be reduced to nothingness.  Hence, the statement of Fr. Dy: “Before God, one feels stripped of all power and is reduced to being just like any other.” struck me that when we stand before God we have to humbly acknowledge our nothingness and our oneness with all men as God’s creatures. Whatever I am and whatever I have all come from the Creator, and there is nothing that I can boast of. This realization makes me treat others as my EQUAL BEFORE GOD, for, indeed, all men are creatures of one the same God – the CREATOR of the UNIVERSE. 

By: Buddy Cagurangan 

November 6, 2011

A MEANINGFUL LIFE

               “STRIVE TO LIVE A MEANINGFUL LIFE AND NOT A COMFORTABLE LIFE”.

          This thought which I have been pondering in my mind for the past few days challenges me. Why? Because it has kept me doing everyday whatever I have to do with my whole mind, my whole heart, and with all my strength.

          As I sometimes experience physical weakness due perhaps to  being  83 years old, I tend to just take things easy and excuse myself from getting involved in commitments that require some sacrifices.  In short, I want to live a comfortable life.

          It seems that this desire to live a comfortable life is what everyone wants.  For this reason it is axiomatic that everyone, as he grows older, looks forward to a retirement plan wherein he could enjoy the rest of his life.

          Pondering on the challenge, I asked myself these questions: “What am I living for?”  “Am I here just to enjoy life?”  “What is the reason for my existence in this world?” These questions made me realize that there must be a purpose for my existence; that this purpose is what gives MEANING TO MY LIFE.  Hence, my life should be focused on this purpose in whatever situation I find myself.

          In general, the purpose of life is TO KNOW, LOVE & SERVE GOD. This is the Church teaching that is enunciated in catechism books.  I believe, however, that everyone has to make a concrete commitment on how to serve God in his own life. 

          In my case, the concrete commitment I have made is TO BRING CHRIST TO EVERY HOME WITHIN MY REACH because  I  believe that CHRIST is the SAVIOR OF THE WORLD, that  HE IS THE WAY, THE TRUTH AND THE LIFE. (John 14:6). 

          At present, in the City of Tuguegarao where I live, my way of  bringing Christ to every home is through  GOSPEL SHARING and the BLOCK ROSARY DEVOTION.  During this month of October,  conducting the Block Rosary Devotion every day in our barangay, Centro 07, I find that it has been a powerful way of making Christ Jesus and Mother Mary alive in the hearts of men.  Because of this I have in mind to propose to my co-lay leaders in our barangay to continue this para-liturgical practice throughout the whole year.  Hopefully this will lead towards the enduring formation of Basic Ecclesial Communities (BEC) which is the Trust of the Church in the Philippines today – this being the NEW WAY OF BEING CHURCH.

          Relying on the grace of God, I hope to have the courage to pursue this commitment despite all the sacrifices it may entail so as to make my LIFE really MEANINGFUL.

By: Buddy Cagurangan

October 30, 2011 

PASS IT ON

“PASS IT ON”.   This is the parting message of Most Rev. Jesse Mercado,D.D., the National Spiritual Director of LAIKO and the Chairman of CBCP-ECLA, at the Eucharistic Celebration on October 23, 2011, the culminating activity in the 17^th Biennial National Convention of the Sangguniang Laiko Ng. Pilipinas.

To stress the very significant importance of this message, he sang it and encouraged all present to sing it with him.

The lyrics of the song are as follows:

          It only takes a spark

          To get the FIRE going

          And soon all those around will

          Bind us in its glowing

          That’s how it is with God’s love

          Once you’ve experienced it

          You spread His love to everyone

          You want to  PASS IT ON.

Meditating on the song,  the following inspiring thoughts came to my mind:

1.    God created me and every human being in this world out of love.

2.    God’s love is unconditional and therefore, he loves everyone regardless of how he may be.

3.    God wants everyone to be a CHANNEL of HIS LOVE.

4.    As a channel, one must not keep this Love of God for himself but must PASS IT ON.

Reflecting on the thoughts,  I realized that this is my MISSION ON

 EARTH -  TO PASS ON THE LOVE OF GOD TO EVERYONE I MEET.  

I find it very essential to always remember the last lines: “ONCE

 YOU’VE EXPERIENCED IT, YOU SPREAD HIS LOVE TO EVERYONE, YOU WANT TO PASS IT ON”.

Why? Because as the saying goes: “One cannot give what he does not

 have”.   One, therefore, must first have a personal experience of this Love of God before he can share it.  It is for this reason that the basic aim of catechesis, as enunciated in the National Catechetical Directory of the Philippines (NCDP- No.77) is  “to put people not only in touch but in communion, in intimacy, with Jesus Christ” –the Son of God.  Hence, the ”heart of catechesis is not a doctrine, or a moral principle, or an act of worship, but a ‘PERSON’, the PERSON OF JESUS OF NAZARETH” 

In other words, one must first have experienced this love of God through an intimate personal relationship with Christ,  for as Christ Jesus said: “I AM  THE WAY, THE TRUTH AND THE LIFE; NO ONE COMES TO THE FATHER EXCEPT THRU ME”. (John 14:6).

By: Buddy Cagurangan

October 23, 2011