THE REALITY OF LIFE

         “LIFE IS FOR ITSELF AND NOT FOR A SPECTACLE.”  This is a statement of Immanuel Kant, a great German philosopher, in one of his books.  Time and again I have reflected on what this statement really means.  Today, May 22, 2012,  I pondered on a sentence in a Meditation published by THE ANAWIM WAY booklet for the Easter Season, which reads: “Those who live for fame find life unsatisfying, while those who live for God and for others can be content even in a very simple and unknown style of life.”

            I was then serving as a Commentator in a Eucharistic Celebration at the St. Peter’s Metropolitan Cathedral  when these questions came to my mind:  “Am I doing this in order to be seen and heard and thus be praised?  Am I doing a mere drama or having a personal encounter with God whose presence in the Mass is a reality?  Deep in my thoughts I then realized the wisdom of Kant’s statement – that, indeed, what I was doing was a reality – an action of life which in itself has a value in the eyes of God though perhaps not in the eyes of men.  It dawned on me that my life is, indeed, a Gift of God, which  I should use not to glorify myself  but to do whatever I should do under the particular circumstances of my life in accordance with God’s Will.

            In God’s infinite wisdom and almighty power I do believe that I have been created as a unique human being.  No one else in this world can be exactly like me, and no one else can take my place at this point in time where I am and with whom  I am.  Hence, I am solely accountable to whatever I do now with the gift of life that God has given me.  It is a gift to be spent for what really matters in God’s eternal design and not just for a spectacle for others to see or hear.

            The question “What am I living for?” helped me to find a meaning in whatever I may  do with the gift of life that God has bestowed on me, because the  answer I got is in the  Song: “What am I living for, if not for You?  What am I living for, if not for You? JESUS, JESUS, no one else but YOU!  From then on the melody of this song with its lyrics kept ringing in my ears as I  walk along the street leading to the Cathedral.  I consider it now as the over-all goal of whatever I do, be it small or great in the eyes of men.  CHRIST now becomes for me the REASON for my existence.  Quoting  St. Paul: “FOR TO ME, TO LIVE IS CHRIST”. (Phil.1:21).  It is my conviction that Christ became Man, so that man can become like Him, a Son of God.  Hence, everything I do should be in accordance with what Christ wants, so I could become ANOTHER CHRIST like HIM.

by: Buddy Cagurangan

May 20, 2012

WHAT MORE, OH LORD!

            “WHAT MORE, OH LORD!”  This is the prayer that came out of my heart after reading a Meditation from the ANAWIM WAY, a booklet published by the Anawim Community entitled: “Pondering the Word”.   I was struck by the words: “A disciple of Jesus does not dwell on the failures and losses of the past. He simply moves on, led by the Spirit.”

            I was actually on the verge of tendering my resignation as a Barangay Pastoral Coordinator due to a feeling of physical weakness that may make me incapable of carrying out the duties and responsibilities of the office entrusted to me.   Reflecting on the abovementioned words, however, I realize that as a disciple of Jesus  I just have to ‘move on, led by the Spirit’.   While there may be failures in my past performances, and also failures in future performances due to one reason or another,  what matters is my ACTION NOW in doing whatever I am supposed to do under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.  Hence, the prayer: “WHAT MORE, OH LORD!”

            This prayer is based on my conviction that I am a CREATION of GOD.  Since God is my Creator I must be a being whose capabilities and capacities are beyond human ingenuity.  I am, indeed, a great mystery to myself, in the sense that I am unable to understand fully my potentialities and the ultimate design of my being.  I, however, have full trust in the Goodness and Omnipotence of God who created me; and, therefore, I just have to do whatever may come my way in the present moment in the best way I can, believing that this is what God wants me to do with the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

            “WHAT MORE, OH LORD!” is for me an attitude of   SERVICE.  I am deeply grateful to God for having created me.  Without Him, I am nothing and can do nothing.  Hence, as a manifestation of my gratefulness I put myself entirely at His service, day in and day out.   To be able to serve God in whatever way He wants me to do, is for me, a great privilege.   I do believe that this privilege of serving God is actually in the HERE AND NOW.   It is in the concrete situation of my life that God is giving me the privilege to serve Him as I perform the duties and responsibilities entrusted to me by the Community to which I belong.

            I trust that with this attitude of a SERVANT OF GOD I shall PLEASE HIM and give GLORY TO  HIM.

by: Buddy Cagurangan

May 13, 2012

WHY NOT I

               “SI POSSUNT, CUR NON ET EGO?” – “IF THEY CAN, WHY NOT I?”  These were the words of St. Augustine of Hippo after reading “The Lives of the Saints”.

            St. Augustine was, indeed, a sinner during his youthful years.  By the grace of God, through the prayers of her mother, St. Monica, he repented and became a true Christian.  He was ordained a Priest and even consecrated as a Bishop.  Inspired by his readings on the lives of the Saints, he uttered those words: “If they can, why not I?”  He then lived the life of a Saint – and later canonized  a SAINT.

             His words kept ringing in my ears as I was confronted with some forthcoming  Church activities that are being scheduled by our parish, namely, the SANTACRUZAN and VENERATION OF THE CROSS.  Being the Barangay Pastoral Coordinator,  I felt that these activities would need the involvement of the people in our barangay which requires a lot of ‘spade-work’.  My initial reaction, therefore, was just to lie low and not to do anything to implement these activities in our barangay.   The words of St. Augustine, however, have challenged me to tackle the job wholeheartedly, strengthened by the thought that ‘if others can do it, why not I’. It dawned on me that life on this earth is, indeed, a challenge to pursue worthwhile endeavors so as to be able to contribute something to ‘make this world a better place to live in’.

               History tells us how several men, whom we now consider as heroes,  have done something that in one way or another have enhanced the quality of life here on earth.   Therefore, I believe there is a standing challenge to every man in this world to evaluate the circumstances of his life and see in what way he can become an asset in his own community.

            Right now I see myself living in a community which is populated mostly by business people.  Most of them I do not know, even by name.  Since the thrust of the Church is to build Basic Ecclesial Communities (BEC), there is a need to have a personal relationship with them.  This poses a great challenge for me.  How to go about it is, a big question.  In our parish exchanges, we were given examples of how communities with similar problems were able to overcome their obstacles.   Hence, I say, that ‘IF THEY CAN, WHY NOT I?’.   I do pray that I be  enlightened and empowered by the GRACE OF GOD, so that what seems impossible at this moment may become possible.

by: Buddy Cagurangan

May 6, 2012 

The NOW GENERATION

            “NOW IS MY TURN”.  This is the thought that has occupied my mind for the past few days.   Reflecting on how people come and go in this world, I realize that like them there is a definite slot of time for me to live here on earth.  For how long it will be, I do not know, but for sure, time will come for me to say ‘Goodbye’. 

            My memory then lingered on the death of the last of our ancestors, the youngest in a family of ten children whom we call “Ina INES”.  She died on June 8, 2007, her birthday, at the age of 89.  It was on the occasion of her death that we thought of doing something to perpetuate the loving memories of our ancestors.  Some of us have witnessed how they have gathered together regularly, almost every weekend. They ate together, exchanged views with one another and firmed up their brotherhood despite some differences in viewpoints or misunderstandings at times.  This, certainly, is something worth emulating.

            At this point in time, we, who are the children from this Family of our Grandparents, Esteban and Juana, compose what we may call the “NOW GENERATION”.  It is NOW our TURN to leave a legacy similar to what our parents have bequeathed to us.  It is a legacy of UNIFICATION.

             Moved by the spirit of brotherhood which we witnessed from our ancestors, we then made a covenant to bring the members of our BIRUNG’S CLAN closer together thru an association.   After some brainstorming, we agreed at a consensus to form an Association of Birung’s Clan (ABC).  A Constitution and By-laws were then drafted, and after some revisions, it was approved and ratified on September 2, 2007 in a meeting of the Elders, representing the ten children of our progenitors.

            A General Assembly and Annual Reunion was then held every year thereafter on the month of December.  The Fifth General Assembly and Annual Reunion was held last December 30, 2011 at the Gymnasium of Cataggaman Elementary School.  Approximately three hundred (300) members of the ABC graced this gathering with their presence and participation in the Holy Mass Celebration and other parts of the Program to promote fellowship, have joyful entertainment and strengthen the bond of love that will lead us to unification.

            In an Archdiocesan Bible Congress that was held last year we learned that no association or organization can last without the WORD OF GOD.  Hence, we agreed to come together once a month to listen to the Word of God through Bible Sharing.  We have, indeed, felt God’s loving presence as we meditated on His Word and shared our personal experiences in our everyday life.

            We do hope that we, who compose the NOW GENERATION in this Birung’s Clan, shall have done something towards the goal of UNIFICATION, which we believe is God’s plan for mankind in this world.

by: Buddy Cagurangan

April 29, 2012   

WHAT IS SIN?

                    SIN IS A THOUGHT, WORD OR DEED CONTRARY TO THE WILL OF GOD.  IT IS THE BREAKING OF THE LAW OR COMMANDMENT.  This is the classical Pre-Vatican II concept of sin.

            Rev. Fr. Edgar Agcaoili, the Rector of Ermita de San Jacinto, Tuguegarao City, however, told us during an Assembly of Church Ministers at the Tuguegarao Parish Pastoral Center, that “SIN IS THE BREAKING OF RELATIONSHIPS.  IT IS REFUSING TO ENTER INTO A LIFE OF INTIMACY/FRIENDSHIP WITH GOD.”    As an example he said that when one does not attend Mass on Sundays, it is a sin not so much because he broke the commandment, but because he has lessened his relationship or friendship with God and the community.  When we go to Mass, he says, we build a closer relationship with God and the community.

            Reflecting further on this so-called ‘Paradigm Shifts’ in Theology after the Vatican II Council, my viewpoints on sin have zeroed in on the concept of LOVE  based on the following rationale.

1.    Love is the only motive that can build or foster a personal relationship with God or with a fellowman.

2.    The essence of love is unselfishness – focused on the welfare or good of the beloved.

3.    The essence of sin is selfishness – focused on one’s own welfare or well being.

4.    Love, therefore, is the true foundation for any intimate personal relationships, either with God or with other human beings; while sin is an act that breaks or lessens a personal relationship.

   God has created each and every human being out of love,  and He

expects everyone to respond to His love with love.   I do believe, therefore,  that I exist  “TO LOVE” and if I do not love,  I have no reason to exist.

By: Buddy Cagurangan 

March 25, 2012

Birth Pangs of BEC

Barangay Centro 07 of Tuguegarao City is experiencing some BIRTH PANGS in the task of forming a BASIC ECCLESIAL COMMUNITY (BEC).

            These birth pangs may be categorized into three:

1.    The Pangs of Commitment

2.    The Pangs of Conviction

3.    The Pangs of Celebration

1.    The Pangs of Commitment:   Most Christians still see the Church as “Sila”, namely, that the clergy are the “Active” members of the Church and the laity are just the “Passive” ones, or simply “followers”.  Hence, they believe that the role of the laity is simply to “kneel, sit, listen, pray and pay”.  Vatican II, however, has emphasized that the Church is all the People of God and everyone, clergy as well as the laity, should have an active role in the life of the Church.  This is a paradigm shift in understanding the nature of the Church which is the foundation of a BEC, because essentially BEC is a “Participatory Church”.

2.    The Pangs of Conviction:   Even with this conviction of the New Way of Being Church, there is still the challenge of how to put it into practice.  In Barangay Centro 07, the great majority of the population are businessmen who are in the barangay only during the day, but reside at night in different barangays. They encounter a problem of choosing to which Community Church should they belong and where they should be actively involved.

3.    The Pangs of Celebration:  The BEC, being a Community of Believers, are expected to manifest their solidarity in praising and thanking God in a Community Mass at least once a month.  Due, however, to the pressure or demands of a business enterprise, many encounter the challenge of giving “time” for a regularly scheduled Community Mass.

            These are the basic challenges in Barangay Centro 07 on the formation of BEC.  They are, indeed, formidable challenges.  With God’s grace, however, we trust that in one way or another they can all be overcome, for “WITH GOD NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE”.

by: Buddy Cagurangan

 April 22, 2012

LIFE IS A CHALLENGE

            “LIFE IS A CHALLENGE.”   This is the thought that keeps lingering in my mind as I go through the duties and responsibilities entrusted to me.

            I have often heard that ‘LIFE is a GIFT’.  Yes, indeed, it is a gift, because it comes from God without even our asking for it.  Every human being is given this gift at the time of conception.  However, how one uses or spends this gift depends a lot on the circumstances of his life.

            Looking back at my past life,  I could see that this gift is full of challenges.  The challenges of sickness came to me as early as at the age of five years old when I together with my elder sister and younger brother were victims in an epidemic of “measles”.  I was the only one who  survived.  Then at age fourteen up to twenty I was afflicted with a lingering sickness called “osteomylitis”.  I had to undergo two major operations and one year of clay treatment to overcome it.

  In the field of education, I was beset with were several challenges.  I did not meet the challenges of the priesthood and hence, I opted to leave the seminary when I was about to finish Theology.  However, I succeeded in finishing Philosophy at the University of Santo Tomas, and  Master in Business Administration  at the Ateneo de Manila University.

  In the field of employment,  I went through several challenges – salesmanship, office work, public service, and education.

  In the field of evangelization,  I was challenged with the task of being an Archdiocesan Catechetical Coordinator for eighteen years.

  As a family man, I was challenged with the task of providing for the needs  and education of eight living children.

            All these experiences corroborate my viewpoint that LIFE is a CHALLENGE.

            God, in his infinite wisdom, has given the Gift of Life to every man in this world.  It is a Gift, however, that, in general, poses a threefold challenge: the challenge of FAITH, HOPE, and LOVE.

 

            The challenge of FAITH – is the challenge to believe that there is a God, the Creator of the Universe, despite all the destructions being done by mankind.

            The challenge of HOPE – is the challenge to trust in God’s providence which assures an everlasting peace and joy for all his creatures, despite all the machinations of the evil one.

            The challenge of LOVE – is the challenge to have a personal relationship with God and with one’s fellowmen, despite all the human travails caused by men’s imperfections in this world.

            I pray for the grace to be able to meet all these challenges and thus give back to God the GIFT of LIFE, FULLY ACCOMPLISHED.

by: Buddy Cagurangan

April 15, 2012

TIME - THE GREATEST GIFT

               “The greatest gift you can give to someone is your time.”   This is what Most Rev. Juan de Dios M. Pueblos, DD, Bishop of Butuan, said in his Letter of Endorsement to the booklet ‘Pondering the Word of God – the Anawim Way’.     

      

            I used to think of Time as the least valuable of the three (3) things (time-talent-treasure) that we can offer to manifest love.  The statement of Bishop Pueblos, however, makes me reconsider my viewpoint.

            Bishop Pueblos says: “When you give someone your time, you are giving a portion of your life that will never get back.” His statement made me realize that, indeed, of all the three gifts, time given or spent will never come back while talents can still be retained or even developed when given and treasure can in some way or another be repaid or returned.  Verily, Time will never come back.  In whatever way one spends it it will remain in the annals of history and stay there forever.  So, time spent with someone is a Gift whose value is in the way it is given.

            How we spend time, therefore, is what gives it its worth.  When time is spent for one’s selfish interests, its value is limited to one’s own good; but when time is spent to serve others in love, its value is spread to those who are served – and it thus becomes a GIFT FOR OTHERS.  Hence,  for Time to be a Gift, it has to be spent for the good of others.  In this way, it will be a portion of one’s life that is given away because of one’s love for others.  This is what makes it the GREATEST GIFT that one can offer to someone he loves.

            Bishop Pueblos  further said: “As Christians, we need to strengthen and deepen our relationship with Christ by spending time with Him through prayer and to ponder His words.”  Therefore, the greatest Gift  that we can offer to our Lord Jesus Christ, is Time spent in Prayer and in pondering His words.  This reinforces what spiritual writers say about the value of  having  a QUIET TIME with the LORD everyday.

By: Buddy Cagurangan

April 8, 2012

            

THE MORAL LIFE

            THE MORAL LIFE according to Pre-Vatican II concepts is Authority-Centered, Law-Centered, Sin-Centered, and Guilt-Centered.

            Vatican II Council, however, in its paradigm-shifts on Theology, has stressed a Growth-Centered concept.  This new concept states: “We change not because of our sins, but because we are loved by God.  We become aware of our potentials; that we are lovable. We celebrate our original blessings.  Morality is being true to our own humanity.”

            Pondering on this new way of looking at morality, I could see the relevance of a theory postulated by Rev. Fr. Teilhard de Chardin, SJ, in his book “The Phenomenon of Man”.  He said that everything in this world is in ‘EV0LUTION’.  The whole world is in the process of changing, and in the long run it will be changing for the better despite all the evils that seem to thwart this process.  “ Man himself is Evolution being conscious of himself.”

            Looking at what is actually happening in the world today,  I could see that, indeed, as a whole, we are experiencing many things that have changed for the better. In the field of communication, for instance, the science of computerization has certainly made a great change for a better and faster way of giving and getting information.  In the field of transportation,  the advent of cars and airplanes have made a tremendous change in our mobility in this world.  In the field of infrastructure,  we see a great change in the building of roads, bridges, building, etc.  In socialization, there is  a movement towards the unification of mankind despite the still many misunderstandings that tend to divide the world.  These are some indications that this world is, indeed, in the process of changing for the better.

            For mankind this process of change depends a lot on the gift of freedom which God, in His infinite goodness, has bestowed on man to enable him to respond to his love.  When man uses this gift to do something good, then he contributes towards making this world a better place to live in.  But when man abuses this gift and does something wrong,  then he somehow obstructs the movement of change for the better.  For man, therefore, morality is using the gift of freedom in order to become a better person.   Hence, it is GROWTH-CENTERED.

            This paradigm shift in understanding the Moral Life is for me a challenge to use the Gift of Freedom and do what I am convinced to do to have a personal relationship with God and thus become a better person.

By: Buddy Cagurangan 

April 1, 2012  

ACT ALWAYS WITH LOVE

            “ACT ALWAYS WITH LOVE.”  This is the insight that came to me after reading a message from Pope Paul VI on a Lenten Meditation which was published in the Vatican II Daily Missal.  It reads as follows: “Our actions acquire value thru the thought which accompanies them, that is, thru the intention which ennobles them.”

            After pondering on what this message means to me,  I realized that any action of mine should be motivated by a purpose or reason, and it is this purpose that can spell the difference between what is good and what is bad.

            After reflecting on all the possible reasons that can motivate my actions, I considered just one reason which could serve as the ultimate purpose for all my actions, and that is: LOVE.  I do believe that if  I do anything out of love of God or love of my neighbor,  my action becomes meaningful and pleasing in the eyes of God. 

            Love, of course, is, as they say, a “Many Splendored Thing”.   It can be manifested in many different ways.  It can be expressed in Thought, Word, or Deed.  It has, however, only one objective – the GOODNESS of another – either of God or a fellowman – for God’s Glory or for a fellowman’s welfare. 

            To act with love, however, is not automatic.  It requires some moments of deliberation and decision before the action.  This for me is a challenge that poses some difficulty, due to previous behaviors wherein I acted without first considering any motives or the consequences of my actions.   There were times when I acted at the spur of the moment, oftentimes moved by anger or hatred instead of love. 

            I, therefore, pray that God will give me the graces I need to be patient and give myself time to deliberate on what could be a loving response to any situation before I decide on any action.  

            “TO ACT ALWAYS WITH LOVE”  shall be a continuing challenge for me for the rest of my life.  I believe, however, that this is what God wants me to do, and relying on His infinite Goodness and overflowing graces, I shall be able to make it the GUIDING PRINCIPLE OF MY LIFE.

By: Buddy Cagurangan 

March 11, 2012