God's Errand Boy

            “GOD’S ERRAND BOY”.  This is how I see myself in relation to God.

       According to Rev. Fr. Teilhard de Chardin revelation is not “God’s whispering to man who he is “, but “man’s understanding of who he is in relation to God”.

            Applying this viewpoint to myself, I have been asking the question – ‘Who am I in relation to God?’.  Several answers have come to my mind, such as, ‘I am an instrument of God, or God’s method, God’s ambassador, God’s missionary, God’s servant’.  The latest of them is ‘God’s Errand Boy’.

            The present situation at home in my family’s residence have given me this idea.  Since I happen to be the only male in a family of four (all senior citizens), I have often been given the task of doing some ‘errands’ – like, buying newspapers, paying bills (electric, water, telephone, RBC Cable,) withdrawing from Banks with the ATM card, mailing letters, buying LPG, contacting repair servicemen, etc.  With this experience, I have been seeing myself like an “Errand Boy”.

            Hence, when I asked myself – “Who am I in relation to God?”, I thought of looking at myself as God’s Errand Boy.  Since then, everyday I would talk to God and ask Him: “Lord, what is it that You want me to do today?”  In the silence of my heart I would listen to Him, and in most cases, the answer I get is: “Just do the errands given to you by your loved ones in the family.”

          With this in mind, I  would then consider the errands entrusted to me as God’s own errands, and  with such conviction I would perform the task with a happy heart  and thank God for using me.

         With this conviction I am truly encouraged to carry out any task or errand in the best way I can with all the love I can give, all for God, Who deserves  only the best.

by: Buddy Cagurangan

March 22, 2013

Pope Francis

            Watching on TV the inauguration of POPE FRANCIS last March 19, 2013, I have been reflecting on how he would be God’s instrument in addressing the many problems and concerns of the Catholic Church in the world today.

            What struck me in his personality is his simplicity and humility.  It is said that he chose the name FRANCIS because he would like to somehow exemplify the lifestyle of St. Francis of Assisi.  Hence, as much as possible he disregarded many conventional practices which would accord him honor and prestige due to his exalted position as the Head of Catholic Church throughout the whole world.

            In simple words he said that the “MISSION OF THE CHURCH IS TO BRING CHRIST TO MAN”.  In his inaugural address he stressed the obligation of all men to help all mankind, especially the poor, the weak and the helpless.  This is an obligation for all men, regardless of whatever may be one’s religious denomination. 

            It is said that the main cause of underdevelopment in this world is that “WE ARE NEIGHBORS, BUT NOT BROTHERS!”.     Hence, the appeal of our Holy Father, Pope Francis, is simply to make people realize that GOD IS OUR FATHER AND WE ARE ALL HIS CHILDREN.  This realization could bring about the following changes in our social life in this world:

1.    That the resources of this world will be equitably distributed to satisfy the needs of all men.

2.    That the power invested on people with positions of authority will be used to “serve and not to be served”.

3.    That the laws of nature will be respected in using the resources of mother earth.

4.    That every man in this world will have the attitude of being a “BROTHER’S KEEPER” to his neighbor.

5.    That the goal of all worthwhile endeavors will be to “MAKE THIS WORLD A BETTER PLACE TO LIVE IN.”

I hope that GOD will continue to bless the WORDS and DEEDS of our HOLY FATHER, POPE FRANCIS, and thus empowered by the HOLY SPIRIT bring about the above mentioned changes in our world today.

by: Buddy Cagurangan

March 22, 2013

The Church - A Community

“The Church is a community, and it must express its nature as a community in its prayer as well as in other ways.”  This is a statement from an introduction of the CHRISTIAN PRAYER, the LITURGY OF THE HOURS,  which is the PRAYER OF THE ENTIRE CHURCH.

            This communitarian aspect of the Church has been considered as the basic reason for the trust of the Catholic Church in the Philippines for the building of BASIC ECCLESIAL COMMUNITIES.   In the Acts and Decrees of the Second Plenary Council of the Philippines which was held from January 20 to February 17, 1991, we read the following: “Our vision of the Church, as communion, participation, and mission, about the Church as a priestly, prophetic, and kingly people and as a Church of the poor – a Church that is renewed – is today finding expression in one ecclesial movement.  This is the movement to foster BASIC ECCLESIAL COMMUNITIES.” (No. 137)  “They are small communities of Christians, usually of families who gather together around the Word of God and the Eucharist.  These communities are united to their pastors but are ministered to regularly by lay leaders.  The members know each other by name, and share not only the Word of God and the Eucharist but also their concerns both material and spiritual.  They have a strong sense of belongingness and of responsibility for one another.” (No. 138)

            Reflecting on the foregoing statements, I have been pondering in the past few weeks how this movement to build BASIC ECCLESIAL COMMUNITIES can be fostered in our barangay, CENTRO 07, of Tuguegarao City, which is an urban community composed of people from different walks of life and with various concerns or aspirations.  I was faced with the following questions:

1. How can we know each other personally?

2. How  can we gather together periodically?

3. How  can we share with each other the Word of God?

4. How  can we worship God as a Community?

5. How can we  serve and help one another?

At the  promptings of our  Parish Priest,  Rev. Fr. Gerard Perez, we  have

 conducted a BEC Survey and have collated the data gathered to make a Profile of Centro 07.  This profile could serve as a baseline to help address the foregoing questions.  There is a need, however, to engage the support and cooperation of the people in the barangay, particularly those in authority or with some degree of influence.  Hence, our Barangay Pastoral Lay Leaders have requested for a Special Meeting with the Barangay Officials of Centro 07 for the purpose of having a collective plan of action to address the said questions.

              

            With the grace of God, we trust that this vision of the Church as a Community shall be realized in our Barangay thru the formation of BASIC ECCLESIAL COMMUNITIES.

by: Buddy Cagurangan

March 10, 2013

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