The Faith of Millions

             The Christian Faith is the Faith of Millions.  Like a small seed it started with a group of people called ‘Apostles’ (12 of them).  Hence, it is called the ‘Apostles’ Creed.’  After more than 2,000 years, this Faith has grown into a big tree sheltering about 1/3 of the world’s population, numbering more than two billion adherents.

            Since time immemorial men have been searching for answers to some basic questions of life here on earth.  Up to this time the following questions remain unanswered:

1.     When and how did this world begin?

2.     When and how will it end?

         Some theories have been propounded, such as the Theory of Evolution by Rev. Fr. Teilhard de Chardin, SJ.  No theory, however, has been universally accepted by men.

            On man’s existence here on earth, the universal search has narrowed down to his origin, purpose and destiny. Some so-called prophets have deigned to share their insights on these questions.  Among them was a Man called JESUS CHRIST, who claimed to be the Begotten Son of the Living God.  He said: “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. No one can come to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6) He lived here on earth for only 33 years.  His words and deeds became the foundation for what men consider the CHRISTIAN FAITH.

            How come that I am now one of the more than two billion believers of the Christian Faith?   There are two reasons for my decision to embrace the CHRISTIAN FAITH.

          First, is the Witnessing of countless Christian Believers on this foundation of the Christian Religion, 2000 years ago.  Many of them gave up their life and died as martyrs for this Faith.  The most recent who was canonized a Saint is a Filipino, Pedro Calungsod.  Many, too, who were gifted with outstanding intelligence, such as St. Augustine of Hippo, St. Thomas Aquinas, and Rev. Fr. Teilhard de Chardin, were adherents of this Christian Faith.

            Second, is my own personal experience.  At first, my Christian Faith consisted of simply believing certain Christian Doctrines taught by my parents, priests and friends.  On January 31, 1977, however, I had a personal experience of God’s loving mercy for me during a celebration of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass at St. Paul University, Tuguegarao.  Life for me then was meaningless. But somehow as I was sharing my insight on the Gospel of that day I felt a loving touch of Our Lord Jesus Christ which brought me back to my senses and made me spiritually alive.  It was a special grace bestowed on me during a ‘Life in the Spirit Seminar’ (LSS) conducted by a Charismatic Group of 24 members headed by a Catholic priest, who came to Tuguegarao all the way from New York, USA.   This  personal experience is for me the fundamental reason for my Faith in the Reality of JESUS CHRIST as the Begotten Son of the Living God, the Savior of Mankind.

          Today, I am one of the more than two billion believers of JESUS CHRIST, one third of the world’s population.  I believe, however, that the time will come when the whole world will eventually become united with CHRIST in His Mystical Body – the Unification of Men which Rev. Fr. Teilhard de Chardin in his book ‘The Phenomenon of Man’ has called “CHRISTOGENESIS”.

by: Buddy Cagurangan
April 25, 2013          

Be Like Christ

            “BE LIKE CHRIST!”  This for me is Man’s Destiny.

            Reflecting on the great mystery of INCARNATION – God the Son becoming man – the big question that came to my mind is: “Why has JESUS CHRIST, the only Begotten Son of God, a Divine Being, deigned to become a human being and live on this earth for 33 years, going through all the vicissitudes of earthly life and allowing Himself to be tortured, crucified and put to death, withholding His divine power to protect Himself?

            The mystery of the Christ’s RESURRECTION has somehow given me an insight that must be the reason for the so-called ‘ACT OF REDEMPTION’ which is to redeem man from his sinfulness and enable him to become a child of God – like JESUS CHRIST.

            CHRIST is risen from the dead in a Glorious Body – a Body endowed with supernatural powers – such as, the power to be visible or invisible, the power to travel with limitless speed, the power to be in different places at the same time, and specially the power to live forever.

            I believe that in creating man God in His infinite wisdom wants everyman to like His Son, JESUS CHRIST.   Somehow, however, man put an obstacle to this original plan of God because of his sinfulness.  To give man a second chance (so to say), Christ offered Himself to become like us, a human being, in expiation for our sins, so as to live and suffer in our behalf and thus obtain for every man the grace to become like Him – a Son of God.

            It is said that while God has created man without his consent, He, however, cannot redeem man without his consent.  Hence, man has to avail of the Graces of Redemption won by Christ through the reception of the Sacraments instituted by Christ to enable man to become like Him.  The first three sacraments called the Sacraments of Initiation, are  Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Eucharist. These enable man to be incorporated into the Mystical Body of Christ, strengthened by the Holy Spirit and nourished by the Body of Christ.  When man falls into sin, Christ provided the Sacrament of Reconciliation to bring him back to God.  When man gets sick, the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick can be availed of to be strengthened spiritually and even physically in accordance with God’s will.  For those who are commissioned to render a special service in the administration of the sacraments Christ has instituted the Sacrament of Holy Orders.  For those who are entrusted with a special responsibility to serve the needs of society, Christ instituted the Sacrament of Matrimony. The Graces of Redemption, therefore, when availed of by man, help him to become like Christ.

              BECOMING LIKE CHRIST means being like Him in His GLORIOUS STATE with tremendous supernatural powers, specially the power to be a Child of God and live forever.

by: Buddy Cagurangan

April 7, 2013

LIFE AS I SEE IT

               “LIFE AS I SEE IT”.  This is the subject matter in my mind as I lay down in silence as recommended in the ANAWIM WAY Booklet in observance of HOLY SATURDAY, which the Church commemorates as the ”Great Sabbath Rest”.  The Church says that on this day – Holy Saturday – Christ was silent in the tomb, and so she recommends  it as a “day of silence” for everyone.

            I was then reflecting on my own life and asked myself: “Why has God given me this life?”  I believe that LIFE is a GIFT from God.  I do believe too that LIFE is a GREAT MYSTERY which only GOD can fully comprehend.  Somehow, however,  God has given me a mind to be able to understand an aspect of my life and see my significance in God’s reason for creating me.

            I see some kind of a pattern in the events of my life.  I may say it is a pattern that made me a “STARTER”.  I recall the following events wherein I served as the ‘starter’:

1.    I was one of the first elementary pupils who graduated after completing the sixth grade.

2.    I was the first one who was admitted as a novice by the Congregation of  the Immaculate Heart of Mary (CICM) and could have been the first Filipino to be ordained a CICM priest.

3.    I was the first Office Manager of the Knights of Columbus Fraternal Association of the Philippines (KCFAPI).

4.    I was one of the first six graduates of Ateneo de Manila University who obtained the degree of  Master in Business Administration (MBA).

5.    I was the First College Dean that started the Divine Word College in Urdaneta, Pangasinan.

6.    I was the one who opened the Course in Master of Business Administation at Divine Word College in Laoag City.

7.    I was the one whom the Government of Cagayan has appointed to serve as the first Assistant Provincial Development Coordinator .

8.    I  started the MBA  Course at St. Paul University of Tuguegarao.

9.    Together with Sister Adele Bonzon, SPC,  I organized the SPU Multi-Purpose Cooperative which has just celebrated its Silver Annivesary.

10. I was the first layman who was appointed to serve as an Archdiocesan Catechetical Coordinator and served for 18 years.

11. I, with Rev. Fr. Ricardo Baccay, now an Auxiliary Bishop of Tuguegarao,  started a scheme of covering all paid catechists with the Social Security System (SSS) of the government.

12. I, together with some relatives, led in the organization of the Association of Birung’s Clan (ABC).

The foregoing  events make me believe that God gave me the Gift of Life that I may somehow  serve as a ‘starter’ in some worthwhile endeavors which he blesses with his graces.  My personal experience convinces me that God has a plan in creating me and in every human being in this world, and this is what makes the life of everyone in this world a GIFT that should be treasured and used in accordance with HIS DIVINE WILL.

by: Buddy Cagurangan

March 30, 2013

The Cross of Christ

“THE CROSS OF CHRIST”  is the “MYSTERY OF GOD’S LOVE FOR MAN”. This is the insight that came to me as I was reflecting on the Lord’s Passion as narrated in the Gospel of Luke 23:1-49. 

In a way, my mind  was  wrestling with a big question: “WHY SHOULD CHRIST, THE SON OF GOD, ALLOW HIMSELF TO BE TORTURED, CRUCIFIED AND PUT TO DEATH?”   As God He has all the power to defend himself and even wipe out all those who wanted to harm him.  He, however, simply refrained from using the power of his divinity.  This somehow puzzled me. 

In reading the Gospel of St. John, however, I came across a statement of Christ which reads: “There is no greater love than this, ‘to give one’s life’ for his friends.” (Jn. 15:13)  Somehow these words gave me a clue in trying to understand the significance of the Cross of Christ.  Indeed,  it is a Mystery of God’s Love for man. And in the Gospel of St. John (3:16) we read: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have life everlasting.”

Reflecting on the above mentioned scriptural verses,  I somehow see an essential dimension of love which is called ‘SACRIFICE’.  The act of loving entails an act of sacrifice, and the greatest sacrifice that one can give is ‘laying down one’s life’ for the beloved.  This then must be the reason why Christ willingly allowed Himself to be humiliated, tortured, crucified and put to death and thus, lay down His life, because of His love for men.

Following this example of Christ, many Christians have actually laid down their life for love of Christ and died as martyrs.  Recently, we have our own countryman, Pedro Calungsod, who has been canonized a Saint for giving up his life for the sake of his faith in Christ.   

While there are some who are given the opportunity to make the sacrifice of dying for love of Christ, I believe that all of us Christians are challenged to live our faith for love of Christ. Christ said: “If anyone wishes to be my disciple, let him deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow me.” (Lk. 9:23).

For me to “take up one’s cross daily” is one of the many challenges  in one’s everyday life which call for some kind of sacrifice in one way or another. These to me are what I consider as ‘daily crosses’ which could  gladly be borne  to manifest  love.

by: Buddy Cagurangan

March 24, 2013

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