Here and Now

               While reading the book “Rediscover Catholicism” by Matthew Kelly, I pondered for quite a time on what he wrote which reads as follows:

            “It is for you now to find your place in the history of humanity.  Nobody can do it for you.  It is a work that will be left undone unless you do it yourself.  The world doesn’t need another Mother Teresa.  The Church doesn’t need another Francis of Assisi.  The world needs you.  Mother Teresa had a role to play in God’s plan and she played it.  Francis had a mission to fulfill in God’s plan and he fulfilled it.   Now it falls to you to find your role, your place.  Who will be next? You.  You will be next if you make yourself available to God. Find your place in salvation history.  Be a saint.  Be yourself.  Perfectly yourself.”

            One conviction that I have been sharing with others is that “everyone is unique.  In every person God has endowed on him something unique which makes him different from any other person.”

            It follows that if every person is unique then there must be something which he and he alone could do.  Reflecting on what Mr. Kelly has written, it dawns on me that this uniqueness of every person finds its fulfillment at the time and place of his existence in this world – in the HERE and NOW of his life.  Where a person is at this particular time in his life no one else can take his place.  He and he alone can respond to the particular situation where he is and at that moment in time.

            I recall the story of a little boy who saw a little hole from which water was flowing out from a dam into the city.  To stop the leakage he decided to cover the hole with his hand.  Night time came and no else was in sight to inform the authorities about this leakage.  So, he stayed put throughout the whole night with his hand covering the hole.  No one then was there to save the city from the flood waters coming from the dam.  He and he alone could have done it.

            This story makes me realize that, indeed, for everyone in this world, there is a time and place for him to respond to a particular challenge at a particular situation he is in.  His response could be from a motive of selfish interest or from an unselfish love for others.

            I do believe that God has created everyone out of love and that He expects everyone to manifest the goodness that was bestowed on him also out of love.  To love means to give of what we have for the sake of others.  It is other-oriented and not self-oriented.

            Hence, everyone’s uniqueness is tested in the HERE and NOW, at the time and place of one’s life in this world where there is no one else but “YOU” to respond to a particular challenge.

By: Buddy Cagurangan

September 16, 2012

The Significance of an Action

            “What makes an action significant?”  This is a question that has been lingering in my mind for quite a time.

            The answer came to me as I read the meditation in the Anawim Way booklet on September 8, 2012, the Birthday of our Blessed Mother Mary.  I reflected on the following statements:

            “Today is a wonderful day for us to entrust ourselves anew to Mary as her beloved children, and allow her to lead us in her way of total confidence in God, as he works also in our lives in all of his hidden, mysterious ways.  Even if it seems small and insignificant, each present moment is of immense importance.  God is working in each moment, and we can cooperate with him in each moment, no matter how ordinary or unimportant the moment seems.”

            After reading the abovementioned statements, I was enlightened and my mind zeroed in on the “WILL OF GOD” as what makes any action significant.  I then recall the examples of two great saints who simply lived a life according to the Will of God.

            The first is St. Aloysius of Gonzaga.  It is narrated in his biography that one day while he was playing billiard, someone asked him: “Suppose you were told that you would die in a short while, what would you do?”  Aloysius answered: “ I will just continue playing billiard.”   For him that was what God wanted him to do at that moment, and so he would just continue playing.

            The second is St. Therese of the Child Jesus.  St. Therese lived for about nine years only as a Carmelite nun, entering at the age of 15 and dying at age 24.  During her life at the nunnery she simply did the ordinary household duties – sweeping the floor, washing the dishes, cooking the food, watering the plants, etc. Doing all this menial work with much love she offered everything to the Lord for the sake of the missionaries.  Hence, she was made the Patroness of Missionaries.

            The examples of these two saints made me realize that what matters in doing anything is not how important or how great it is, but whether or not it is in accordance with the Will of God. 

            Hence, everyday as I tackle anything, be it small or great, I ask myself: “Is this what God wants me to do now?”  When I am convinced of a positive answer, I then strive to do it in the best way I can and with all the love I can give.

By: Buddy Cagurangan

September 9, 2012

Honesty with God

HONESTY WITH GOD

Buddy Cagurangan

               “HONESTY IS THE BEST POLICY”  is an adage that is universally accepted.   I would like, however, to deepen and refine this adage by saying: “HONESTY WITH GOD IS THE BEST POLICY”. 

            I have been groping in my reflections for words that would simplify my attitude towards God.  I got enlightened by the word “HONESTY”.   I reflected that “TO BE HONEST WITH GOD” would be the best attitude I should have in my personal relationship with God.

            What does it mean to be honest with God?

            For me it means:

1.To be humble:  to acknowledge the truth that without God I am nothing

and can do nothing.  I depend completely on Him for my existence, for everything that I am and have.

2. To be repentant:  to acknowledge my sinfulness and thus beg God’s

 forgiveness  for all my wrongdoings.

3. To be trustful:  to acknowledge God’s infinite Goodness and trust in His

providential care in bestowing on me all the graces I need to become what He wants me to be.

4. To be grateful:  to acknowledge with deep gratitude all the blessings

that God has bestowed on me and will continue to bestow on me because of His love.

5. To be useful:   to acknowledge God’s Holy Will in creating me and thus

make myself available to Him, so He could use me for whatever He wants to do in this world.

HONESTY WITH GOD is therefore,  for me,  the best attitude I

should have in responding to God’s love creating me.

By: Buddy Cagurangan

August 26, 2012

Caring For The Sick

CARING FOR THE SICK

Buddy Cagurangan

CARING FOR THE SICK is LOVE IN ACTION.

          To love means to sacrifice.  Caring for the sick demands a lot of sacrifice.  This sacrifice may be categorized into three: physical, psychological and financial.

First is the Physical Sacrifice.  In caring for the sick one has often to give up a lot of rest and sleep.  Sometimes one has to give up even taking meals and snacks at the usual time.

Second is the Psychological Sacrfice.  A lot of patience and understanding is needed to cater to the needs of the patient.  Since the patient is not in his normal state of health, there is a need to be ever alert in serving him in his physical necessities and in trying to relieve him of physical pains.

Third is the Financial Sacrifice.   Medicines and medical treatment cost a lot.  Though some expenses may be covered by financial benefits from the PhilHealth and other Health Care entities, there are still many expenses that have to be shouldered.  Hence, the financial obligations have to be carried.

       While caring for the sick demands a lot of sacrifice, it should however be seen positively as an OPPORTUNITY TO MANIFEST LOVE.  One’s willingness to make sacrifices physically, psychologically, and financially is certainly an ACT OF LOVE.

        

        Performing these acts of love without expecting anything in return are certainly praiseworthy in fulfillment of Christ’s command:  “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another.  By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” (Jn. 13:34-35).

By: Buddy Cagurangan

August 19, 2012

The Sacred Host

               The Sacred Host is the Glorious Risen Body of Christ.  This for me is a new dimension in understanding the mystery of Consecration at a Eucharistic Celebration.

            Blessed John Paul II in his Spiritual Reflection on the Mystery of Faith as published by the ‘ANAWIM WAY’ Booklet writes the following:

            “For in the Eucharist we also receive the pledge of our bodily resurrection at the end of the world: ‘He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day’ (Jn.6:54).  This pledge of the future resurrection comes from the fact that the flesh of the Son of Man, given as food, is his body in its glorious state after the resurrection.  With the Eucharist we digest, as it were, the “secret” of the resurrection.”

            I have actually been wondering why we cannot see Christ in the Sacred Host when it becomes His Real Presence.  I am now enlightened by what Blessed John Paul II has said that “Christ’s Body is now in its glorious state after the resurrection.”  In the Gospels it is narrated how after the resurrection Christ appeared to his disciples, but all of a sudden he disappeared.  This must be one of the characteristics of a glorious body – its capacity to be seen or not to be seen.  In most cases it is invisible, but on certain special occasions it can be made visible.

            In the Eucharistic Celebration Christ is giving us the opportunity to exercise the Gift of Faith, by making Himself invisible although actually present.

            Being aware now of the Presence of Christ in the Sacred Host in His Glorious State, I cannot but be more attentive during the Eucharistic Celebration and as much as possible see Christ with the eyes of Faith and communicate with Him on a “face to face” and “heart to heart” manner.

            Truly aware now of the “Glorious Presence of Christ in the Sacred Host” I am more and more encouraged to make frequent visits to Him in the Blessed Sacrament at the Adoration Chapel.

            The SACRED HOST is, indeed, CHRIST, THE SON OF GOD, IN HIS GLORIOUS STATE.

By: Buddy Cagurangan

August 12,  2012

The Power of a Priest

               The “Power of a Priest” is, indeed, unimaginable and yet it is often taken for granted.  This is the thought that overwhelmed me as I reflected on the words of St. John Vianney, whose feastday we celebrate today, August 4.

            In the booklet  ‘The Anawim Way’ I read the words of St. John Vianney on the holiness and dignity of a priest, which run as follows:

“Behold the power of the priest!  The tongue of the priest makes God

from a morsel of bread!  It is more than creating the ‘world’. The ‘Blessed Virgin Mary’  herself  cannot make her Divine Son descend into the host.  The priest can however simple he may be.”

The Eucharistic Celebration is  considered  the   center and summit of

 the Christian Life here on earth.  It is because when the priest pronounces the words of Consecration “This is My Body… This is the cup of My Blood…a very great miracle happens – THE HOST BECOMES CHRIST HIMSELF, THE GOD-MAN, THE SAVIOR OF THE WORLD, although unseen by the naked eyes of men.  In a very mysterious way CHRIST RE-ENACTS HIS SUPREME SACRIFICE ON THE CROSS by which the GRACE OF REDEMPTION is offered to all mankind.

In God’s infinite wisdom this tremendous power “TO MAKE GOD PRESENT IN A VERY SPECIAL WAY UNDER THE APPEARANCES OF BREAD AND WINE “ is given  to every duly ordained priest whenever he pronounces the Words of Consecration.

Such power, St. John Vianney says, is greater than creating the world.   We acknowledge the greatness of the world whenever we sing the song: “Oh Lord, my God, when I in awesome wonder consider all the world Thy hands have made.”   The power of God in creating the world is, indeed, a tremendous power which no one can deny.  It really defies my imagination to see how much greater still is the power that God bestows on a priest. 

 Comparing God’s power in creating the world  and His power of Consecrating Bread and Wine through the words of a priest I see that the difference lies in their visibility.  Much of God’s power in creating the world can be seen by our naked eyes.   The power bestowed on a priest to consecrate bread and wine and make Christ present in a very special way is something that can be seen only by the eyes of Faith.  This may be the reason that it is just taken for granted.

The comparison made by St. John Vianney has made me ponder on the great Power of a Priest and has deepened my conviction in giving support, spiritually and materially, to the Priestly Vocation.

By: Buddy Cagurangan

August 4, 2012

The Power of Faith

                  In the Gospel of Matthew (17:20) Jesus said: “I say to you: if only you   had faith the size of a mustard seed, you would tell that mountain to move from here to there, and the mountain will obey.  Nothing will be impossible to you.”

            These words of our Lord Jesus Christ made me ask the question: “What kind of faith is that which may be as small as the size of a mustard seed and yet could work wonders?” 

            Faith is a conviction, not a certainty.  It is a product of the mind.  It should, however, not remain in the mind, but be put into action, for as it is said in the Epistle of St. James: “Faith without works in dead.” (James 2:26)

            To answer my question  I find in the Legionary Prayer a very good description of such Faith, which is as follows:

1.    “A lively faith – animated by charity, which enable us to perform all our actions from the motive of pure love of you, and ever to see you and serve you in our neighbor;”

2.    “A faith, firm and immovable as a rock – through which we shall rest tranquil and steadfast amid the crosses, toils and disappointments of life;”

3.    “A courageous faith – which will inspire us to undertake and carry out without hesitation great things for your glory and for the salvation of souls;”

4.    “A faith which will be our Legion’s Pillar of Fire – to lead us forth united, to kindle everywhere the fires of divine love, to enlighten those who are in darkness and in the shadow of death, to inflame those who are lukewarm, to bring back life to those who are dead in sin, and which will guide our own feet in the way of peace.”

These descriptions of Faith as LIVELY, FIRM, COURAGEOUS, and like a PILLAR OF FIRE, are, I believe, the characteristics of a true virtue of Faith that can work wonders. 

While all POWER comes from GOD, it is FAITH that unleashes this Power in accordance with God’s infinite Wisdom and Loving Kindness for His own honor and glory.   Hence , the POWER OF FAITH is ultimately the POWER OF GOD Himself.

By: Buddy Cagurangan

July 29, 2012

Alcoholics Anonymous

               The Vatican II Weekday Missal has in its Meditation For Spiritual Growth the “Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous”.   It is stated therein that these twelve steps have helped millions to put into order a shattered life.   One of the steps has struck me and has deepened my understanding of the significance of prayer.  It reads as follows:

“We sought through prayer and meditation

 to improve our conscious contact with God

 as we understood Him,

 praying only for knowledge of His will for us

 and the power to carry that out.”

The words that struck me most is:

 “CONSCIOUS CONTACT WITH GOD”

Reflecting on how I have been praying in the past, it seemed that most often I had just taken for granted the Presence of God.  Yes, I was indeed talking to God but He seemed to be far beyond my reach.  He seemed to be in a distant place overlooking at what I was doing but without a real, so to say, ‘eye to eye’ contact with Him.

It dawned on me then that through prayer I should strive as much as possible to be conscious of God’s loving presence in me and be in touch with His Spirit dwelling in me.  This requires full concentration that is focused on God’s Almighty Being in the light of my own understanding on Who He is.   To my mind, purely human efforts would be inadequate to achieve this. To have a “conscious contact” with God, I have to humbly acknowledge my need for Divine Assistance.   

This divine assistance, I believe, will be granted by God to me and to anyone who sincerely desires to have this gift of having a conscious contact with Him.  Coupled with this desire should be a habitual practice of keeping still at certain moments of the day, for in Psalm 46:10, God says: “Be still and know that I am God.”

            Now, every time I have my daily “Quiet Time”, I  strive to put a stop to what I am doing  and in silence allow divine grace to imbue me with   the gift of having a “CONSCIOUS CONTACT WITH GOD”.

By: Buddy Cagurangan

July 22, 2012

Rejoice-Praise-Thank

“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing.

 In everything give thanks,

for this is God’s Will for you in Christ Jesus.”

 (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)

            It is my conviction that God created me to do His Will.  Hence, I have been asking God now and then: “Lord God, what is it that You want me to do?”  During my ‘Quiet Time’ I got the answer as I read St. Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians, which I quoted above.

            The answer, I may say, is a THREEFOLD ACTION, namely:

1.To REJOICE ALWAYS,

2.TO PRAY WITHOUT CEASING, and

3.TO GIVE THANKS IN EVERYTHING.

These three challenges require from me  a “Frame of Mind” that would constantly monitor my daily behavior.  I have to ask myself now and then these three questions:

1.    Am I rejoicing always?

Sometimes I find it hard to rejoice because of something that hurts me, either due to my own human frailties, physical ailments, or  injuries inflicted by others.  To rejoice amidst these sufferings requires a firm faith in the benevolence of God; for it is said that “God causes all things to work together for good to those who love Him”.(Rom. 8:28)

2.    Am I praying without ceasing?

I believe that praying is like having a hotline with God.  As much as  possible I try to have a conscious contact with God by repeating frequently in moments of silence: “My Lord,  MY God, My All!”

3.    Am I giving thanks in everything?

This again requires a firm faith in God’s infinite wisdom and almighty power.  Everything in this world  is in the hands of God and so, no matter what happens, He is in control and He knows what is best for everyone.

            For me, the three abovementioned questions serve as basic guidelines in living a Life in accordance with the Will of God.   Since DOING THE WILL OF GOD is the REASON for my existence, I trust that by sincerely striving to REJOICE ALWAYS, PRAY WITHOUT CEASING and GIVING THANKS IN EVERYTHING, I shall have lived a life that is PLEASING TO GOD.  I shall then REST IN PEACE for having done what God wants me to do as His creature.

By: Buddy Cagurangan

July 15, 2012 

Fear and Faith

       “FEAR AND FAITH HAVE OPPOSITE EFFECTS ON US.”  This is a statement from “ANAWIM WAY” a booklet for liturgical meditations. The Gospel of Mark (5:21-43),  narrates the story of the daughter of Jairus, a synagogue official.  Jairus was informed that his daughter was already dead.  So there was no more need to bother Jesus.  But Jesus said to Jairus: “Do not be afraid, just have faith.”  Jesus then took the girl’s hand and said: “Talitha, koum”, which means “Little girl, get up”.  The girl immediately stood up and walked.

           The meditation further clarifies: “When we give in to fear, we draw away from God, which leads us to loss of hope.  When we make acts of faith, even if they are as small as a mustard seed, we draw close to God – we touch him, and he gives us new life.”  From these reflections, I recall an experience wherein I have to make a decision with an act of faith.  I had a commitment to go to a parish of Sta. Ana, Cagayan, to give a catechetical training to some public school teachers.  Our Catechetical Director, then Rev. Fr. Ricardo Baccay, told me that I should hire a driver because the distance was quite far and the road was rough.  I, therefore, sought the services of a driver.  But when the time came for us to leave, the driver was not on hand and he did not give any word on whether he would come or not.  Hence, I had to make a decision on whether to proceed or not.  While I was then praying for guidance a song kept ringing in my ears: “Be not afraid, I go before you always, come follow me.”   I considered this as a sign that I should proceed.  So, I decided to drive the vehicle myself.  Praise the Lord, I and two other catechists reached the destination safe and sound.

            From that experience I am convinced  that when we act in faith, focus on God and put our trust in Him Who is almighty and our Father, fear is driven away. On the other hand, fear sets in when we focus on ourselves, in our incapacity or helplessness. 

       In our day to day life  there is wisdom, indeed, in LIVING IN FAITH, focusing on GOD, OUR FATHER, rather than focusing on our incapacities or helplessness.  God knows whatever we are in need of and if we put our trust in him, he will certainly provide in a way that is best for us.

By: Buddy Cagurangan

July 8, 2012