LIVE FOR GOD

“LIVE FOR GOD”. This is the thought that has been occupying my mind for the past several days. Hence, I have been reflecting on “WHY” and “HOW” I could put this into practice.

First is the “WHY?”

I believe that life is a gift from God. It is given to every human being who comes into this world. Since it is a gift, I have to accept, treasure and use it according to what may be called “Manual for Operations”. This manual comes from God Himself Who in His infinite wisdom has designed every human being in a unique way which gives him a unique personality that is different from every other human being. Hence, it is but proper to always consider God’s Will in the way I live.

Second is the “HOW?”

How to live according to the Will of God is now the question.

First of all, I have to know the Will of God. This requires my sincere desire to know God’s Will and to search for it in the many different ways by which God manifests His Will. Some of the ways by which God manifests His Will are:
1. The Holy Scripture. This is the written Word of God which if I properly and regularly reflect upon always gives me a direction for my actions.
2. Spiritual Writings. Reading spiritual books gives much enlightenment on how I can tackle problems or difficulties that come to my life.
3. Viewpoints of others. Listening to oral deliveries of the viewpoints of others also give inspiring thoughts that can serve as guidelines for my actions.
4. Observations. My observations of actual happenings in life can likewise give important insights in understanding some mysteries of life.
5. Personal Experiences. My personal experiences further strengthen my convictions on the REALITIES that provide the basic values that should govern my life.

After knowing the Will of God, I always PRAY for enough courage to pursue it in the best way I can and with all the love I can give. This to me is the test of my sincerity in trying to LIVE FOR GOD. This is also when my attitude is tested on whether I am really GOD CENTERED or SELF CENTERED. This, I believe, is what Our Lord Jesus Christ meant when He said: “He who wants to be my disciple must deny himself, take up his cross daily and come follow Me.” (Lk. 9:23)

To LIVE FOR GOD, then, means to me “TO BE GOD CENTERED”.

by: Salvador 'Buddy' Cagurangan

Nov. 21, 2010

HOLD GOD'S HAND

“WE OUGHT TO GO THROUGH LIFE HOLDING GOD’S HAND.” This is the first line of a Meditation For Spiritual Growth contained in the Vatican II Weekday Missal on page 1568.

The image of one holding God’s Hand flashed in my mind and it made me reflect on how I could be holding God’s Hand. “HOLDING GOD’S HAND” is of course an idiomatic expression – a kind of metaphor. I believe, however, that the real meaning is “TO BE UNITED WITH GOD”.

To further understand what it means to be united with God I pondered on the human experience of an electric current coming from a generator. The electric current is power provided by the generator. To use this power one has to have his electric appliances connected to the generator, otherwise there would be no current at all. And thus one would experience what they call “brown out”.

After typhoon Juan, we have actually gone through a long period of brown out. Everyone waited anxiously for power to be restored. Meanwhile we have to bear with so many inconveniences due to no electric power.

Somehow this experience enlightened me on what it means to be united with God. I see God as the Generator that provides the power I need to live in His love. “Holding God’s Hand” is to me living in the state of grace wherein I would be “doing the Will of God” and thus uniting with Him.

The meditation further states: “There is much suffering that has to be gone through in this life, and it makes all the difference of pleasure or pain, whether we have our hand in God’s or not….Try and love God. He wants us all to be saints. It is our own fault if we are not. In spite of darkness and despondency we must keep on asking Him to be with us.”

When one is united with God, sufferings and difficulties that are inevitable in his life can be born with joy. So, I believe that God, indeed, is our Father, and He will provide each of us with all the power and strength that we need to overcome all kinds of trials. Hence, we have to be always united with Him by sincerely doing what our conscience tells us as His Holy Will.

The only evil that can separate us from God is SIN – a mortal sin – because this is an act that deliberately prefers to please oneself and make himself his own God instead of acknowledging the Sovereignty of God and His Dominion over all creation – He, being the Supreme Being in this world – the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and End of the whole universe.

by: Salvador 'Buddy' Cagurangan
Nov. 14, 2010

SHARE WHAT YOU HAVE

“SHARE WHAT YOU HAVE” is an afterthought that came to my mind when I attended a Reunion of Thomasians (Alumni of the University of Santo Tomas). While I did participate in the open forum by asking a couple of questions, I became just a spectator during the Fellowship Program in the evening. I had in mind to share my concern for the unabated deforestation of Sierra Madre Mountain and sing a song “The Trees”, but my timidity got the better of me and I just kept to myself my idea.

After the program, I felt somehow a guilty conscience for not having taken advantage of the occasion to share something that could help make this world a better place to live in. It is a kind of sin of omission.

This made me reflect further that one should dare share what he has whenever there is an opportunity to do so. What one has, materially as well as spiritually, should be shared with others and not kept for oneself.

Materially I do not have much to share. But spiritually there is, I believe, much that I can share based on some wonderful personal experiences and an accumulated store of knowledge from readings and studies.

Scripture says: “When much has been given a man, much will be required of him. More will be asked of a man to whom more has been entrusted” (Lk. 12:48)

The task of evangelization is, indeed, a sharing of one’s Faith. The faith I have in God’s infinite wisdom, infinite goodness, infinite power and unconditional love is something I should not keep for myself but should share with others whenever there is an opportunity to do so. This, I believe, is God’s Will which is the reason for my existence in this world.

by: Salvador 'Buddy' Cagurangan
Nov. 7, 2010

FAITH TESTED BY FIRE

“FAITH TESTED BY FIRE” This scriptural phrase flashed in my mind as I reflected on a Prayer for Eucharistic Adoration by the SERRA Club of Singapore which reads: “Jesus, my God, I adore You, here Present in the Blessed Sacrament of the altar, where You wait day and night to be our comfort while we await Your unveiled Presence in Heaven.”

The Presence of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament is, indeed, a great Mystery which requires a strong Faith to enable one to really adore Him and visit Him at the Adoration Chapel where He in Blessed Sacrament is exposed.

I have made a Commitment to visit Our Lord Jesus Christ in the Blessed Sacrament everyday for at least one hour. In general, faithfulness to this commitment poses no difficulty. There are times, however, when this commitment becomes hard to comply due to some circumstances, such as when the weather is not fair or when one feels weak and exhausted. It is then that one’s Faith is tested.

When I am faced with this difficulty, this prayer of St. Ignatius of Loyola helps me to be faithful to my commitment: “Lord Jesus, teach me to be generous, teach me to serve You as You deserve, to give and not to count the cost, to fight and not to heed the wounds, to toil and not to seek for rest, to labor and not to seek reward, except that of knowing that I do Your will. Amen.”

Faith, indeed, is like Gold that is tested by fire. Like Gold that remains solid despite the heat caused by fire, so too is True Faith that remains steadfast regardless of all the trials or difficulties that have to be overcome.

This, I believe, is the kind of Faith that our Lord Jesus Christ wants when He said: “Anyone who wants to be My disciple must deny himself, take up his cross daily and come follow Me”.(Lk.9:23).

by: Salvador "Buddy" Cagurangan
October 31, 2010

NADA TE TURBE

“NADA TE TURBE” – “LET NOTHING DISTURB YOU”. This is the first line of a poem written by St. Teresa of Avila whose feast we celebrate today – October 15, 2010.

This piece of advice came to me as I was disturbed by something that irked me as I was praying the Liturgy of the Hours. The tone of my voice actually became lower and I was a bit distracted in my prayers. However, as I reflected on what St. Teresa said I regained my composure and continued with my prayers focused on God’s presence in my heart.

This experience made me further reflect on the wisdom of this piece of advice.

Almost everyday we encounter problems or difficulties as we go about doing things for our living or for carrying out certain responsibilities entrusted to us. Sometimes we get worried or are disturbed when things happen which are not in accordance with our expectations. Somehow it affects our peace of mind.

A reading from the Vatican II Weekday Missal which dwells on the Veneration of Saints says: “Charity is the saints’ signature. For it is one talent they uniformly share. Nor do they mind whether or not their good works are appreciated. Saints squander their love on the undeserving and ungrateful. They ask for nothing, not even appreciation, in return.”

Meditating on this reading I now see the basic attitude of the saints which makes them undisturbed and remaining peaceful despite the troubles, problems, difficulties or sufferings that may cross their way.

Looking back at my past experiences, I realize that very often I got disturbed with feelings of resentment or vengeance when what I have done were not appreciated or when I was misunderstood and even became a victim of injustice.

The basic attitude, I believe, is simply to do things according to the will of God with all the love we can give and offer everything to Him. If with a clear conscience we have done this, then we do not have to worry about anything. Whatever others may do or think of us should not disturb us.

If, however, we are troubled by a guilty conscience, then we should take the necessary steps to be pardoned and reconciled with God and our fellowmen. This should bring us peace of mind and live in the grace of God.

by: Salvador "Buddy" Cagurangan
October 15, 2010

A PARTICULAR VOCATION

“Everyone has a Particular Vocation”. This is a message of His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI. He said: “Within the universal call to holiness is found the particular vocation to which God summons every individual.” (Quoted from Prayers for Eucharistic Adoration for Vocations – Volume II, compiled by the Serra Club of Singapore)

Pondering on this statement that everyone has a particular vocation I asked myself these three (3) questions.
1. Why is there a particular vocation for everyone?
2. How can one discern his particular vocation?
3. How should one fulfill his particular vocation?

After much prayerful reflection, I came out with these answers.
1. There is a particular vocation for everyone because:
Everyone has been created unique, with unique talents and gifts.
Everyone has his own particular place in this world.
Everyone lives in this world during a certain period of time.
God, in His infinite wisdom, wants everyone to do something at a particular place and time, using the gifts that He bestowed on him. This is the particular vocation of everyone.

2. One’s particular vocation can be discerned by getting in touch with God thru prayer. God speaks to each one in the silence of his heart. Hence, one has to be still, put himself in God’s presence and allow God to make His Will known thru His special ways - an inspiring thought, a particular event, a spark of wisdom, a friend or a situation.

3. One’s particular vocation can be fulfilled by responding in the best way he can and with all the love he can give. Vocation is a Call from God, the Supreme Being, the Creator of the Universe, on whom everybody and everything depend for their existence. Hence, He deserves the best.

With these thoughts in mind I undertook the processing of papers for the sale of a piece of land which we inherited from our parents, Tomas M. Cagurangan and Toribia C. Birung. For a period of about five months I had to go thru a lot of paper work, travel from one Office to another, pay all required fees and spend long hours and days waiting for the accomplishment of the required documents.

Of the six brothers and sisters still living, I am the only one left in our hometown, Tuguegarao. Hence, it fell on me the lot to make all the necessary transactions with the Government regarding the sale of our land. I, therefore, considered this as my particular vocation at this point in time in my life.

I thank God for the inspiration given me in undertaking this particular task, for I was given all the patience and competence to go thru all the difficulties of complying with all the requirements involved for this transaction.

by: Salvador "Buddy" Cagurangan
Sept. 26, 2010

Still Imperfect

“STILL IMPERFECT” is the thought that came to me while serving at a Eucharistic Celebration. It dawned on me that all of us who were serving as Ministers in the Mass, including the Presider, can make some mistakes. It could be in the way we talk, mispronounce words, or in the way we act, not bowing or genuflecting in the right way.

Pondering further on the significance of this observation, I realize that, indeed, I should accept the fact that I myself am STILL IMPERFECT. There are still a lot to do to overcome my imperfections. Throughout my whole life I have to struggle towards perfection. This perfection, I believe, can be attained only with the Grace of God and only when one is already fully united with God in a state of being we call HEAVEN.

This reflection made me consider my relationship with my fellowmen. Aware of my own imperfections, should I not see that others too have their own imperfections. Hence, if they do something that may not be right, is that not part of their imperfection. If so, should I not be more tolerant with them and make allowance for their imperfection by being patient and slow to anger?

With this reflection I now see the wisdom of “FORGIVENESS”. In the prayer that our Lord Jesus Christ taught us, He emphasized the act of forgiving others, so we too could be forgiven. This act of forgiveness is based on the fact that all men are born imperfect, except Our Blessed Mother Mary, who was already Perfect from the moment of her conception, for which reason she is called THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION. Since all men are imperfect, or sinners as we often hear, there is a need to bear with one another’s imperfection and help one another towards the pursuit of perfection.

With the grace of God I have now come to see even those who have hurt me with a forgiving heart. Actually as I was walking towards my residence this morning, my eyes met the eyes of someone who has badly hurt me and I managed to greet him raising my hand and with a smile on my face. Inwardly I gave allowance for his imperfection and prayed that somehow he will cooperate with the grace of God to overcome his defects and become less and less imperfect.

I am STILL IMPERFECT. To become less and less imperfect, I have formulated this prayer: “Lord God, may everything I do begin with You, continue with You, and end for You.” I trust that with this prayer I shall be given the grace to overcome my imperfections and be more tolerant to the imperfections of others.

by: Salvador 'Buddy' Cagurangan
September 19, 2010

MY TOP PRIORITY

My Top Priority in life today is “TO VISIT THE LORD GOD IN THE BLESSED SACRAMENT EVERYDAY FOR AT LEAST ONE HOUR”.

This is a decision I made after considering the following tenets of my Faith.

1. GOD is No. ONE.
The first commandment says: “I am the Lord, Thy God. Thou shall not have any other gods before me”. (Ex. 20:2-3) The Supreme Being in this world is God. Everybody and everything depend on God’s creative power in order to exist. Hence, ADORATION TO GOD is due from everyone and everything in this world.

2. GOD wants us TO LOVE HIM.
Jesus Christ Himself said that the greatest of all the commandments is: “You shall love the Lord God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.” (Matt. 22:37-38)

3. TO LOVE means TO HAVE A PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH SOMEONE.
One cannot love someone he does not know. Hence, there is a need to strive to know GOD as much one can.

4. One has to spend SOME TIME with SOMEONE to have a PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP.
A personal relationship cannot be developed in just one sitting. There is need for much time to be together with the one we love.

5. The BEST PLACE here on earth to SPEND TIME WITH GOD is at the BLESSED SACRAMENT.
I believe that GOD is PRESENT IN A VERY SPECIAL WAY IN THE BLESSED SACRAMENT under the appearance of a SACRED HOST.

On the basis of the above stated considerations, I have made a COMMITMENT to VISIT OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST IN THE BLESSED SACRAMENT EVERYDAY FOR AT LEAST ONE HOUR. This commitment entails sacrifice. Day after day, I have to schedule my activities in order to be able to make my commitment. While there are many activities that require my attention everyday, I have prioritized them and to make my VISIT TO THE BLESSED SACRAMENT IS ALWAYS MY TOP PRIORITY.

by: Salvador 'Buddy' Cagurangan
September 12, 2010

AUTHENTIC MINISTRY

“AUTHENTIC MINISTRY” is one of the topics which Most Rev. Teodoro C. Bacani, Jr., D.D., discussed in his book “Christ’s Priests for God’s Priestly People.

According to Bishop Bacani “Authentic Ministry is an antidote to routine ministry” “Authentic Minitry” he said “is not only true but truthful, not only external but internal, not only from the lips but from the heart – Mula sa puso, hindi lang sa nguso”.

While this antidote was meant for priests to help them overcome a sense of routine and loss of enthusiasm for the works of the priestly ministry, I have been considering it as something that could just as well be applied to lay ministers.

Church ministry is administered not only by the priests but also by the lay faithful. Today we see lay persons serving in different ministries, such as, catechists, extraordinary ministers of communion, lectors, commentators, acolytes, gift ministers, usherettes, altar decorators and choir members. Various religious organizations and renewal movements have also been organized by lay persons. Hence, the problem of serving in a routinary way is also a problem of the lay ministers.

In order to have an Authentic Ministry Bishop Bacani offers the following recommendations, namely: that one should be:
1. In love with God and with the people.
2. Know what he is doing.
3. Cultivate a life of prayer.
4. Act wholeheartedly.

Paraphrasing the recommendations of Bishop Bacani, one who
serves must:
1. Serve with love. Love of God and love of one’s fellowmen must be the real motive for serving.
2. Have an adequate working knowledge of the task entrusted to him. He should, therefore, undergo some training or attend seminar workshops in preparation for the responsibilities to be done.
3. Have a “Quiet Time” daily with the Lord. This is of prime importance in order to develop a personal relationship with God, who provides all the graces needed for any ministry to be fruitful.
4. Focus on his ministry with his whole mind, his whole heart, his whole soul, and with all his strength. In other words, he has to give all he has got in serving the Lord.

As a lay minister, these recommendations of Bishop Bacani are
valuable basic guiding principles in order that I may render a truly Authentic Ministry to assist in the Building of the Body of Christ, the Church.

by: Salvador 'Buddy' Cagurangan
September 4, 2010

TO BE A SAINT

“TO BE A SAINT” is considered the MOST IMPORTANT OBLIGATION OF A CHRISTIAN.

Way back in 1943, when I was a minor seminarian at the San Jacinto Minor Seminary in Tuguegarao, I participated in a Catechetical Quiz Contest that was open to the public. Being in the seminary I thought that at least one of us seminarians will top the contest. To our surprise it was an outsider, Mr. Ricardo Bassig (RIP), who got the highest score. Reviewing the Quiz Contest, we found out that we failed to answer correctly this question: “WHAT IS YOUR MOST IMPORTANT OBLIGATION AS A CHRISTIAN?” Being a Multiple Choice Type , we were asked to choose the BEST CORRECT ANSWER. Several answers were given such as: Obeying the Commandments, Going to Mass on Sundays and Holidays of Obligation, Receiving the Sacraments, etc. All of us seminarians failed to choose the Best Correct Answer, which is “TO BE A SAINT.”

Filled with wonder why “TO BE A SAINT” is considered the best correct answer, we asked our Father Rector, Rev. Fr. Oscar Deltour, CICM, who was one of those who prepared the Test Questions, for the reason. He replied: “BECAUSE WHEN YOU ARE A SAINT YOU PRACTICALLY DO ALL THAT A TRUE CHRISTIAN HAS TO DO”.

Since meaning is in people, I have to ask myself, what do I mean by the word “SAINT”. Usually, this word is given to the name of someone who has been canonized
by the Church, to officially proclaim that he or she is now enjoying the Beatific Vision of God in heaven. So far in the Philippines, there is only one person who has been canonized by the Church – ST. LORENZO RUIZ. Does it mean that St. Lorenzo is the only Filipino who is now in heaven. I do believe that there are already countless of Filipinos who are with God in heaven. I have learned that the essence of being a SAINT is simply TO BE UNITED WITH GOD. Hence, all those in heaven, as well as those in purgatory and here on earth who are united with God are also saints.

TO BE UNITED WITH GOD – This is what every person should pursue. This is attained when a person sincerely strives to know, love and serve God wholeheartedly.
Man, however, is a finite being, while God is an Infinite Being. Therefore, man cannot attain union with God by his own efforts alone. He needs the Grace of God to be able to lift himself up to an Infinite Being. To be united with God man has, therefore, to first acknowledge his complete dependence on God and humbly ask for the grace that will enable him to reach out to God with his whole heart, his whole mind, his whole soul, and with all his strength. This actually is the Greatest of all the Commandments which Jesus Christ Himself has pointed out when a lawyer questioned Him and He replied: “You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your mind.” (Matt. 22:37)

Lately in my readings I came across a statement which reads: “Perfection consists in one thing only: doing the Will of God. To become a saint, all that is necessary is acquiring the habit of wanting to do the Will of God at all times”. (Spiritual Dairy of St. Vincent de Paul – p.13). With this statement of a Saint, I have made it a habit whenever I visit Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament to pray: HERE I AM, LORD, I COME TO DO YOUR WILL”.

by: Salvador 'Buddy' Cagurangan
August 29, 2010