A Cold Heart

               “THE GRAVE CONSEQUENCE OF A COLD HEART IS THAT WE CAN NEITHER LOVE NOR RECEIVE LOVE.   WE END UP CUTTING OURSELVES OFF FROM GOD WHO IS COMPASSION AND LOVE.”   These are words from a meditation of the ANAWIM WAY booklet on the Gospel of the “Unforgiving Servant”.

        Pondering on these words during my ‘Quiet Time’, I realized how important it is for one “TO FORGIVE”.   A “COLD HEART” is the result of “UNFORGIVENESS”  and a COLD HEART can “NEITHER LOVE NOR RECEIVE LOVE”. It “CUTS US OFF FROM GOD WHO IS COMPASSION AND LOVE.”

            It dawned on me that what is at stake when one refuses to forgive is the very reason for man’s existence.  I believe that God created man and bestowed on him the Gift of Freedom to enable him to love.  TO LOVE then is the reason for his existence.  In other words, man exists to love and if he does not love, he has no reason to exist.

        In the parable of the “Unforgiving Servant” (Matt.18:21-35), our Lord Jesus Christ conveyed the message that just as God’s forgiveness is immeasurable because of His love, so also should our forgiveness be limitless because of our love.   To me, forgiveness, then, is the “TEST” of “LOVE”.

           Forgiveness, however, is extended to one who repents.  The Anawim Way says: “As often as we repent, God forgives us.  As often as our fellow servant repents, we must forgive him.”  Hence, repentance is a requirement for forgiveness to be obtained.  

           How then should I extend forgiveness to one who does not repent and ask for pardon?  This is a question that confronted me in my meditation.  The answer that came to me is: “JUST PRAY FOR HIM THAT GOD MAY DO WHAT IS BEST FOR HIM.”  I believe that when I pray for anyone who has hurt me, I shall have extended my love and leave everything to God’s infinite Wisdom, Goodness and LOVE.

by: Buddy Cagurangan

March 5, 2013

God's Children

          “WE ARE GOD’S CHILDREN, NOT HIS SERVANTS!”  This is the message of the Parable of the Prodigal Son. (Luke 15:11-32)

          Listening to the homily of our parish priest, Rev. Fr. Gerard Ariston Perez, at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass this morning of March 2, 2013, I got a deeper understanding of the message that our Lord Jesus Christ wanted to convey when He narrated the Parable of the Prodigal Son.

            I used to share in my reflections of this parable that God loves each and everyone of us unconditionally.  But why?  The homily of Father Gerry gave me the very reason for it, and that is: “BECAUSE GOD IS OUR FATHER AND WE ARE HIS CHILDREN, NOT HIS SERVANTS.”

            In his analysis of the attitudes of the two sons, Father Gerry brought out their misconception of their relationship with their father.  The younger son, when he decided to return to his father, asked that he be admitted no longer as a son but as a servant.  The father, however, replied by giving him a robe, a ring, a pair of shoes and even a big celebration, which are clear signs that he is welcoming him not as a servant but as a son.   The elder son too, when he refused to join the celebration because it was unfair that his father was welcoming his brother with such a big feast, killing a fatted calf, whereas he never got even a kid goat to celebrate with his friends, got the answer: “My son, you are always with me, and everything I have is yours.  But this brother of yours was dead, and has come back to life. He was lost and is found.  And for that we had to celebrate and rejoice.” (Lk.15:31-32)

            The reason then for God’s unconditional love for each and everyone of us is because He created us to be His children, not His servants.  This was confirmed by our Lord Jesus Christ when in teaching us how to pray He began with these words: “Our Father, Who art in heaven” (Matt.6:9)

            This realization of being a CHILD of GOD and not just a Servant fills me with joy and an indescribable  feeling  of gratitude for such a great privilege.  Thinking of God as my Father, Who is  the Supreme Being in this world, on whom everything depends, for without Him nothing can exist, I am at a lost for words to adequately manifest my love in return for His unconditional love for me.

by: Buddy Cagurangan

March 2, 2013   

Focus on God

“FOCUS ON GOD”.  This is the simple guide that came to my mind as I prayed during one of my visits to the Blessed Sacrament at the Adoration Chapel of the Saint Peter’s Cathedral Parish in Tuguegarao City.

As I was reviewing in my mind the many events that I went through in the past 84 years of my life I was longing for some simple guide to direct me in living the rest of my life here on earth.   The answer I got is: “FOCUS ON GOD”.

I then reflected on what I should do in order to follow this guide and make my life truly focused on God.  The insights I got made me dwell on the three Theological Virtues of FAITH, HOPE and LOVE.

1.    FAITH:  I have to make an unwavering decision based on my conviction that there truly exists a SUPREME BEING Who is All-Knowing, All-Powerful,  All-Loving,  and on Whom I depend entirely for my existence, for without Him I would simply be nothing.  This is a decision that should permeate my whole being and make me always aware of my complete dependence on God.

2.    HOPE:  Since God is infinitely Good, I should trust in whatever He has  in store for me.  Life is a great mystery and there are many things I may never be able to comprehend, but the virtue of hope makes me confident that everything will turn out well for me as long as  God is with me.

3.    LOVE: With deep gratitude for all the blessings that God has bestowed on me, I should manifest my love by surrendering myself completely to Him and allow Him to use me as He pleases.  Hence, my constant prayer is: “Lord, here I am, I come to do your Will!”   I should dedicate all my life in “DOING THE WILL OF GOD”,  for this is the reason for my existence.

To “FOCUS ON GOD” I then  have to  faithfully practice in my daily  life these three theological virtues of FAITH, HOPE and LOVE.

by: Buddy Cagurangan

Feb. 24, 2013

How to Pray

            “HOW TO PRAY”  is a question that again confronted me when I was reading the ANAWIM WAY booklet which provides a meditation on the Word of God, dated Feb. 19, 2013.

            The meditation begins with a definition of prayer which reads: “The Church teaches us that “prayer is the living relationship of the children of God with their Father who is good beyond measure, with his Son Jesus Christ and with the Holy Spirit” (CCC 2565). 

            I have been taking it for granted that I already know how to pray.  However, the following statements made me realize that there is still much more I have to learn on the art of praying.

1.    We are not in control when we pray.  We cannot make God speak to us, any more than we can make rain fall from the sky.

2.    Prayer begins with allowing God to be in control.

3.    Prayer is more than words.  It is words that come from the heart.

4.    Jesus links prayer with forgiveness.  If we pray with an unforgiving heart we are not opening ourselves to God.

5.    The Lord teaches us not to allow anything, especially a refusal to forgive, to block our open communication with him.

6.    We do not have to worry about concentrating on the words, as long as our hearts desire union with our Father in heaven.

7.    We pray for his will to be done, and his will is that we be united in love and truth with all his children.

Reflecting on the foregoing statements I made a three-point guide to make my prayer effective.

1.    Open my heart and allow God to be in control.

2.    Remove everything that may block God’s grace into my heart, any sinful desires or refusal to forgive.

3.    Pray with words coming from my heart.

Prayer is, indeed, a great privilege .  It is talking with GOD – the Supreme  Being in this world.  It is a privilege that God may grant to those whom He considers to be in the right disposition to have a living relationship with him.  Hence, I believe that I should always see to it that when I pray I should always begin with a contrite heart, asking forgiveness for whatever sins I may have committed and sincerely forgiving anyone and everyone who may have hurt me, and then allow God to communicate with me as he pleases.

by: Buddy Cagurangan

Feb. 19, 2013  

Fear of God

“FEAR OF GOD” is one of the GIFTS of GOD as stated in Isaiah 11:3 which reads: “HIS DELIGHT SHALL BE THE FEAR OF THE LORD.”   I used the word ‘GOD’ instead of the ‘LORD’, because for me the word ‘GOD’ can only refer to the SUPREME BEING in this world, while the word LORD can also refer to mere human beings with  prestigious positions.

In my reflections I have come to consider the “Fear of God” as the basic reason to do whatever I should do in the best way I can without making any excuses or ‘alibi’ that are not valid.  This is because of my conviction that ultimately it is to God that I shall be accountable for whatever I do during my life here on earth. 

How does God judge?  In Isaiah 11:3, it is said: “Not by appearance shall he judge, nor by hearsay shall he decide…”   And in Isaiah 11:5 “Justice shall be the band around his waist and faithfulness a belt upon his hips.”.

When, therefore, I shall appear before the Judgment Seat of God, everything that I shall have done, right or wrong, shall be clearly presented before Him.   While I have received many plaques of appreciation or recognition based on men’s evaluation of my performance, these, however, shall in no way affect God’s judgment, because in the eyes of God, everything is clear.  My innermost thoughts, motivations, plans or intentions, and the way I performed my duties or obligations shall be exposed as clear as daylight, for nothing is hidden from the eyes of God.

Being aware, therefore, that it is to God that I shall be ultimately responsible, and believing in the fairness of God’s judgment, I consider the FEAR OF GOD as a Gift that inspires and empowers me to do whatever I am supposed to do in the best way I can.

In my daily life I encounter difficulties or problems that often times tempt me to just take it easy and not make the sacrifices that these would entail.  In undertaking a task I am often tempted to do it with the least effort and not concerned with whatever may be the result.  However, when this gift – the FEAR OF GOD – fills my mind and heart,  I am encouraged and emboldened to do whatever I have to do with “my whole mind, my whole heart, my whole soul and with all my strength”.

by: Buddy Cagurangan

Feb. 10, 2013

We Are Workers

“WE ARE WORKERS, NOT MASTER BUILDERS; MINISTERS, NOT MESSIAHS”.  This is a statement of Oscar Arnulfo Romero, the martyred Archbishop of San Salvador. 

            In the ‘Sambuhay’ of today, Feb. 3, 2013, Fr. James H. Kroeger, MM, quoted this statement of Archbishop Romero in his article on the Word of God for the 4^th Sunday in Ordinary Time.

            Elaborating further on this insight, Archbishop Romero said: “We cannot do everything, and there is a sense of liberation in realizing that.  This enables us to do something, and do it very well.  It may be incomplete, but it is a beginning, a step along the way, an opportunity for the Lord’s grace to enter and do the rest.”

            Reflecting on what the Archbishop said, I realize that, indeed, in the Kingdom of God, God is the ARCHITECH and we are but His laborers.  We simply cannot fully understand the mysteries of life on earth, much less the mysteries of life after death.  We have to acknowledge our limitations as human beings, and our complete dependence on God’s creative power for our existence.  We have, however, to be grateful that in God’s infinite wisdom,  we are given the privilege to serve Him in His Kingdom.

            I recall two opportunities wherein God used me to help in starting an enterprise.  The first was the establishment of an Insurance System for the Knights of Columbus in 1958.  With a seed capital of only P32,000 coming from 64 Founder members, each of them contributing only P500,  this Juridical entity, after 50 years,  has now a Net Worth exceeding Two Billion Pesos.  The second was a Credit Cooperative of St. Paul University.  Together with Sister Marie Adele Bonzon, Spc, we organized this Cooperative in 1988 with 42 members and with a paid-up Share Capital of only P3,000.  Today, after 25 years, this Cooperative has a net worth exceeding P12,000,000.

            The above two experiences proved that I am but a worker in God’s Kingdom.  I simply have to do  the best I can and in whatever way I can under the circumstances of our life  and leave the rest to God.  It is God who knows the significance of what is done and He alone has the power to use it for the Grand Design of His Kingdom.

            Everyday, when I pay a visit to the Lord Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament I pray: “Here I am, Lord, I come to do Your Will.”  I then try to see what I have to do during the day and say: “Lord, do give me the grace to do what You want me to do in the best way  I can.”  This makes me feel that I am God’s servant – one of the workers in His Kingdom.

by: Buddy Cagurangan

Feb.3, 2013

Spiritual Dialysis

            “SPIRITUAL DIALYSIS”  is how I have been considering my daily visit to JESUS CHRIST in the BLESSED SACRAMENT at the ADORATION CHAPEL of Metropolitan Cathedral of Tuguegarao City.

            This concept has dawned on me when I witnessed some people being brought to a DIALYSIS CENTER.  I was informed that ‘DIALYSIS’ is now the modern way of cleaning one’s kidney.  To undergo this kind of treatment one has expose himself to some kind of a ‘purifying process’ that would last for several hours depending on the patient’s condition.  This is done not only once but several times at regular intervals.  It is a treatment that may take a life time.

            When our Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Gerard Ariston Perez, was informed of the desire of some parishioners in Cluster III, consisting of church lay leaders in Barangays Larion Alto, Larion Bajo, Capatan, Centro 07, Centro 08, and Centro 09, to start to have a regular Time Schedule in Adoring the Lord Jesus Christ at the Blessed Sacrament, he gave an ‘Orientation’ to us on the ‘SIGNIFICANCE of the BLESSED SACRAMENT ADORATION’.  Among other things, he compared the SACRED HOST in the Blessed Sacrament as  the Sun giving out its rays to people who expose themselves to some kind of ‘sun-bathing’.  Hence, he said that in adoring the Blessed Sacrament there is even no need of reciting some prayers. All that one has to do is to put oneself in the Presence of God and let God do whatever He deems   good for each one.

            At our SERRA Convention in Singapore, two years ago, one of the speakers said  that  in one of her  visits to the Blessed Sacrament she was enlightened that what matters most is not what one does in adoring the Lord Jesus,  but what the Lord does to the one who visits. 

            Reflecting on what Father Gerry and the Speaker in Singapore said, I realize that in visiting the Lord Jesus Christ in the Blessed Sacrament, it is actually having an audience with God, the Supreme Being, the Creator of this world, Who is all knowing and all powerful.  Hence, as one puts himself in His presence,  he submits himself to whatever God pleases.   God, in His infinite goodness, would certainly pour on him His blessings, one of which is the grace of being cleansed of one’s sinfulness – a kind of ‘Spiritual Dialysis’.

by: Buddy Cagurangan

January 25, 2013

The Freedom to Decide

               The FREEDOM TO DECIDE is, I believe, the Gift that distinguishes a human being from the rest of God’s creation on earth.  This gift is bestowed on him to enable him to love, because love cannot be forced – it can only be given freely.  Hence, although God created man out of love, He, nevertheless, cannot force any man to love Him in return.  Man has to exercise the gift of Freedom in order to respond to God’s love.

            Man’s life here on earth depends much on what he decides.  This is a personal viewpoint based on my personal experiences and my personal understanding of the many mysteries of life here on earth.

 

            First of all, are my personal experiences and personal understanding of the Mystery of God.  Being a Catholic by birth,  I have been indoctrinated on the existence of a Triune God, Who is our Creator, Redeemer and Sanctifier.  I have also lived with persons who taught me the tenets of the Christian Faith.  The witnessing, however, of some so-called  authorities of the Church to which I belong have somehow cast doubts on the veracities of what they teach.  Hence, for quite some time in my life I drifted away from some practices of the Christian religion.  Fortunately, a priest, Fr. Portabes, handed a book to me entitled “The Phenomenon of Man” written by a Jesuit priest, Rev. Fr. Teilhard de Chardin.  What I read in this book somehow broadened my perspective of life here on earth and gradually brought me back to the Catholic fold.

            One of the mysteries of the Christian Faith is the Real Presence of Christ in the Sacred Host.  I have heard several stories that somehow validate the veracity of this great mystery.   To believe in something and to put it into practice in  one’s life are, however, two different things.  This is where the FREEDOM TO DECIDE  has to come in and make a difference in the way one lives.

            There is in our parish, St. Peter’s Metropolitan Cathedral of Tuguegarao City, an ADORATION CHAPEL where the BLESSED SACRAMENT is exposed the whole day.  This poses a challenge to one’s Faith.  One has to make a decision on whether to believe or not to believe in this mystery of Christ’s sacramental presence.  I for one have made the decision to believe in the reality of Christ’s presence in the Sacred Host.  Consequently, I made a decision to manifest my faith in this mystery by making a commitment to pay a Visit to the Blessed Sacrament everyday for at least one hour.  I consider this the MOST IMPORTANT HOUR of everyday in my life.  I look at it as HAVING A DATE WITH THE LORD EVERYDAY.  I have further reflected that if HEAVEN is where GOD is, then for me the ADORATION CHAPEL is HEAVEN ON EARTH, for GOD is THERE.  Our naked eyes cannot see Him, but with the eyes of Faith we can make a DECISION to truly adore Him and offer Him  the best gift we can give Him – our TIME – spending it in His presence – and allowing Him to do with us as He pleases.    

            I do hope that I have used the Gift of Freedom to decide to respond to the love of God for me thru this personal commitment of HAVING A DATE WITH HIM EVERYDAY FOR AT LEAST ONE HOUR BEFORE THE BLESSED SACRAMENT.

by: Buddy Cagurangan

December 22, 2012

What Matters Most

            “What matters most is not what I hold in my hands, but what I carry in my heart.”  This is a quotation from one of the books of Rev. Fr. Jerry Orbos, SVD, entitled “Meaningful Moments”.

            Fr. Orbos made that statement  after reading the last will and testament of Don Alfredo Gothong, patriarch and chairman of the Board of the Gothong Group of Companies, who was buried in Cebu last Jan. 15, 2008, which reads as follows:

“I have lived in this world a long time.  Yet  life is brief and fleeting.

To all my loved ones, I want you to instill in your hearts that the best,

the most beautiful things in life cannot be seen or even touched,

but must be felt with the heart.”

               Fr. Orbos then reflected: “ That is quite a statement coming from a man who left a fortune to his family through honest and hard work.  Indeed, “if through one person, a little more love and goodness have come to this world, then, that person’s life has had meaning.”

            For the past few days, this reflection of Fr. Orbos has  lingered in my mind and made me ponder on what I could best bequeath to this world when I shall pass away.  I humbly acknowledge that materially I do not have much to give.  Definitely however, I believe God has blessed me with a BIG HEART and HELPFUL HANDS.  These are what I could  leave to this world  which may not be seen but I hope will dwell in the hearts and minds of all those I have served with love. 

            “To serve with love” – is, therefore, the best that I could bequeath to this world during my lifetime.  Hence, everyday as I pay a visit to our Lord Jesus Christ in the Blessed Sacrament, I pray: “Here I am, Lord, I come to do Your Will.  What is it that You want me to do to serve You in the people I meet today.” 

            Every day has its own challenges.  Some are easy, others are difficult.  What gives me courage to tackle any task  is the LORD JESUS CHRIST.  Talking to our LORD JESUS CHRIST, I pray:  “When it comes to serving You LORD, I give all I have got.”  I then do whatever I could possibly do in the best way I can  and lift up everything to the LORD for His honor and glory.

            What matters most for me then, is  to manifest the love of God as I go about doing whatever I could possibly do under the concrete circumstances of my life with the hope that somehow each day I shall have touched the hearts of those I encounter.

by: Buddy Cagurangan

Dec. 16, 2012

Faith - the Key to Happiness

FAITH IS THE KEY TO HAPPINESS.  This is an insight that came to me as I was adoring the Lord Jesus Christ in the Blessed Sacrament at the new Adoration Chapel of St. Peter’s Metropolitan Cathedral, Tuguegarao City.   I recalled the scriptural verse in Hebrews 11:1 which says “Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen”.

            There are, indeed, many things in this world which cannot be seen by our naked eyes.  They are, however, indispensable in making life possible in this world.  Foremost among these is the existence of a Supreme Being - GOD. To Him is attributed the power that has created the whole world and who sustains everything in this world thru his enduring creative power.  Without Him nobody and nothing can exist even for one moment.  He is, nevertheless, invisible and it is only thru Faith that one acknowledges  His existence.

            Faith, however, is useless unless one lives it.  In the epistle of St. James (James 2:17) we read “Faith without works is dead.”  So, I further reflected on how I could make my Faith alive, putting it into practice.  The following were my reflections:

1.     As I believe that our Lord Jesus Christ is really present in the Blessed Sacrament,  I should  visit and adore Him everyday  for at least an hour.

2.    As I believe that our Lord Jesus Christ is the Son of the Living God, the Savior of mankind, I should  surrender myself to Him entirely to be used by Him in whatever way He wants.

3.    As I believe that God is the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End of everything in this world, I should  acknowledge  that He and He alone can give the reason for my existence.

4.    As I believe that God created me in order to share His eternal happiness out of love, I should be ever grateful to Him and entrust myself to Him wholeheartedly.

5.    As I believe that heaven is where God is, I should now enjoy heaven believing that God is HERE and NOW in a very special way in the Blessed Sacrament.

These reflections do fill my heart with great joy as they give me concrete ways by which I could put my faith into practice.   I trust that as I live up to the above mentioned challenges I shall enjoy the happiness that God has destined for me to share with Him.  Hence, “Faith that is Alive”, is for me  the Key to Happiness.

by: Buddy Cagurangan

December 2, 2012