Sunday, May 23, 2010

My Religious Views

Someone will ask about what I believe, and what are my religious views. Well I am a loyal catholic believer I follow what the catholic church teaches, yet I am also liberal in my thinking, I used it to strengthen my catholic faith. I am open to the beliefs of others and use them to develop and strengthen my catholic faith. I know my catholic faith and I obey what the Church teaches, I do not allow myself be misled by intellectuall arrogance or false doctrines. I am also an existential person who is also focused on how to live my life to the fullest. I am not a lax catholic like what I am before. I study and read about my faith, I am not focused always on the affirmative or negative but always balance the two. I do not tolerate religious fanaticism or fundamentalism. I read the Bible but also seek the guidance of the learned and those in authority. I also read philosophical books especially atheistic ones but I do not agree with atheism yet i interpret them in a different non-atheistic perspective.

I am not a freelancer since I fully belong to the Catholic Church, Nor an agnostic since I really believe on the Judeo-Christian God. I am not a person who eventhough I have a liberal mind will already deny my catholic faith. I am liberal in the right manner, I do not recourse on philosophical debates nor interest in arguments, I simply live my life to the fullest and deepen my relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.

Saturday, May 15, 2010

Starting a New Life and Moving on to it

June is fast approaching, it is already the start of school year. Time flies very fast and our graduation was already over for the last previous months. This is the next chapter of my life, my former friends and classmates are now living their owns lives so as mine, sometimes it is difficult to forget them, the happy and sad memories that we have experienced, the new ideas we have tackled and the challenges that we have faced. Well the there is a saying 'Past is past' yest past is already over but the memories of the past still remains. Now I will now enter a new chapter of my life, entering a new formation year and dealing with new faces. It is not easy to adjust and adapt the environment that I am not used to but I must do it for my own good.

Seminary formation is really not an easy road to take, you need to make sacrifices in order to attain your goal and proceed to the finish line. Well others say 'if you want it, you'll get it', if we know our goal in life we will do what it requires even if you have to sacrifice everything in order for you to get it. God will not abandon us if we trust in Him, we can attain and reach our goals with God's help, of course we must do our part also. We must not become idle and being depenent on God, we must do our share also. Sigh! life is really changing, you experience new things in life, you learned from it and you grow from it.

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

My Favorite Gospel Verse

LUKE 5:4-11

"When He had finished speaking He said to Simon, 'Put out into deep water and pay out your nets for a catch'. 'Master', Simon replied 'we worked hard all night long and caught nothing, but if You say so, I will pay out the nets.' And when they had done this they netted such a huge number of fish that their nets began to tear, so they signalled to their companions in the other boat to come and help them; when these came, they filled the two boats to sinking point.

When Simon Peter saw this he fell at the knees of Jesus saying, 'Leave me, Lord; I am a sinful man'. For he and all his companions were completely overcome by the catch they made; so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were Simon's partners. But Jesus said to Simon, 'Do not be afraid; from now on it is men you will catch'. Then, bringing their boats back to land, they left everything and followed Him."

My Favorite Psalm

PSALM 27
In God's company there is no fear

Yahweh is my light and salvation,
whom need I fear?
Yahweh is the fortress of my life,
of whom should I be afraid?

When evil men advance against me
to devour my flesh,
they, my opponents, my enemies,
are the ones who stumble and fall.

Though an army pitched camp against me,
my heart would not fear;
though war were waged against me,
my trust would still be firm.

One thing I ask of Yahweh,
one thing I seek:
to live in the house of Yahweh
all the days of my life,
to enjoy the sweetness of Yahweh
and to consult Him in His Temple.

For He shelters me under His awning
in times of trouble;
He hides me deep in His tent,
sets me high on a rock.

And now my head is held high
over the enemies who surround me,
in His tent I will offer
exultant sacrifice.

I will sing, I will play for Yahweh!

Yahweh, hear my voice when I cry!
Pity me! Answer me!
My heart has said of You,
'Seek His face'.
Yahweh, I do seek Your face;
do not hide Your face from me.

Do not repulse Your servant in anger;
You are my help.
Never leave me, never desert me,
God, my saviour!
If my father and mother desert me,
Yahweh will care for me still.

Yahweh, teach me Your way,
lead me in the path of integrity
because of my enemies;
do not abandon me to the will of my foes -
false witnesses have risen against me,
and breathe out violence.

This I believe: I shall see the goodness of Yahweh,
in the land of the living.
Put your hopein Yahweh, be strong, let your heart be bold,
put your hope in Yahweh.

Sunday, April 11, 2010

Memories of Fr. Luciano Paguiligan


I've missed the times when Fr. Paguiligan was still alive, he was my spiritual director and permanent confessor since then. He celebrated his Golden Sacerdotal Jubilee during April 9, but unfortunately by the will of our Lord, he passed away. He died from liver cancer on October 22, 2005 at the Manila Medical Center.

Fr. Pagui as we call him was a kind spiritual father for us since he is our parish priest during those times he could have lasted his term for six years in our Parish but our Lord called Him immediately on October. It was time of mourning for our parish, we are like sheep without a shepherd and we are like orphan without a parent. The most memorable experience that I have before he died, during that time I went to the same hospital to have a check up, after that I visited Fr.Pagui in his room, to my surprise Fr. greeted me these words 'Hay salamat at nagkita ulit tayo' to my surprise I don't know what to say, I feel pity for Fr. during those times since he was there lying on the bed and has a difficulty in his sickness, he is so weak. We talked for a short time until before I leave Fr. told me this words ' Ipagdasal niyo ako ha' then I answered 'Opo Fr. sasabihin ko po yun sa kanila'. I was also amazed to know that during that time eventhough he is already hospitalridden and is vey critical knowing that the parish has a Mass and there is no priest, Fr. asked if he could say Mass for them, but the doctors did not permit him. That day was saturday before he died, because he died the next saturday after I visted him. When I learned the next saturday that he died I didn't believe yet but when I texted Fr. Roa he told me that Fr. Paguiligan was really dead. I went to the same hospital for my next check up knowing that he is dead, I looked for his remains at the hospital morgue by myself but the hospital staff told me that the body was already been taken by the relatives and is on the way to the funeral home. And that was the time that I really cried which I did not did to anybody else only to Fr. Paguiligan.

Those memories really makes me sad but it also gives me inspiration since Fr. Pagui became my inspiration because of his total dedication eventhough he is already very old and in critical condition, it is why I always pray for his soul.

Saturday, April 10, 2010

Bakit ang Diyos?

Minsan, tuwing may problema tau lagi nating sinisisi ang Diyos, problema sa pag-ibig, sa pera, asawa, kawalan ng katarungan sa lipunan, kawalan ng hustisya at pagkakapantay pantay at marami pang iba at sa oras din ng kagipitan at sakuna............pero bakit ba tau nagagalit sa Diyos? ano ba ang ginawa ng Diyos sa atin? Ano ba ang masamang ginawa Niya sa atin?.......minsan kailangan nating isipin ang mga bagay bagay huwag palaging idamay ang Diyos, minsan tignan din natin ang ating mga sarili........ano ba ang ginawa natin sa sarili natin?.......humingi ba tau ng tulong sa Diyos sa oras ng kagipitan? nagtiwala ba tau sa Kanya?.....o baka naman akala natin ay kaya natin at kakailanganin lng natin Siya kung kailan natin gustuhin?..o baka nmn umasa tau na bibigyan tau ng Panginoon ng milagro o signs?......baka masaydo taung umasa sa kung ano ang gagawin sa atin ng Panginoon habang tau naman ay nagpapasasa sa ating mga sarili at walang gaagwin sa ating sarili?......minsan isipin din natin ang mga bagay na ito?

Kung makaharap natin ang Diyos at ipamukha natin sa Kanya ang ating mga daing at reklamo....ano ba sa tingin natin ang sasagutin ng Panginoon diba tatanungin Niya tau ng ganito: Humingi ka ba ng tulong sa Akin? Tumawag ka ba sa akin? Nagtiwala ka ba sa Akin? Ano ang iyong ginawa mo sa iyong sarili sa oras na humingi ka ng tulong sa Akin? May ginawa ka ba para malutas mo ang iyong problema o umasa ka lang sa kung ano ang pwede Kong gawin? Ano ba ang nagawa mo sa sarili mo para malutas mo ang problema mo?.........ang mga katanungan na ito ang mga maaring isagot sa atin ng Panginoon......kaya bakit tau magagalit sa Diyos? sa anong dahilan? .......di pa ba sapat na buhay pa tau ngaun na sa paggising sa umaga ay buhay pa tau ay minsan na rin nating nakakalimutang magpasalamat sa Kanya dahil nagising ka pa ng buhay.....hindi pa ba sapat na may nakakain ka, may natitirhan ka.....at nasa gayong kundisyon ka........di pa ba sapat yun.........di pa ba mga sapat na tanda yun para manalig tayo at maniwala tau sa Diyos.......ang Diyos ba ay tulad ng tao na pwede mong utusan kailan mo gusto............ang Diyos ba ay parang isan alila na kung ano gustuhin mo at hingin mo ay ibibigay Niya.......tau ba ang amo at ang Diyos ang alipin.....hindi kaya kabaligtaran yun......tandaan natin na ang Diyos ay Diyos hindi Siya tulad natin......walang sinuman ang may karapatan na mag-utos sa Kanya sapagkat Siya ay Diyos at wala Siyang pwedeng paglingkuran......kung tutuusin ang Diyos ay Diyos kahit wala tau.............kaya Niyang gawin ang lahat.........pero dahil sa pagmamahal Niya kaya tau nilikha Niya.....di pa ba sapat na nilikha Niya tau at di pa yun....kundi isinugo pa ang Kanyang kaisa-isang Anak na si Hesukristong ating Panginoon upang iligtas tau mula sa kasalanan....di pa ba sapat yun.......at may karapatan pa taung magalit at manisai at manghusga sa Diyos.............diba kailangan din nating kumilos para sa ating sarili.......hindi tau nilikha na maging tamad at umasa sa mga ibibigay o gagawin ng Panginoon sa atin.....hindi Siya gagawa ng mga bagay na kagilagilalas tau ang gagawa sa sarili natin nun andyan lang ang Panginoon upang gabayan at suportahan tau hindi upang Siya ang gawin alila natin.......Siya ay Diyos hindi alipin.......minsan gumagawa ng kagilagilalas na bagay ang Panginoon sa mga ordinaryong bagay.......sa pagsisikap ng tao na mapabuti ang kanyang buhay.............nasa Diyos ang awa nasa tao ang gawa.........kaya minsan mag-isip isip din tau bago tau magbitiw ng salita laban sa Panginoon dahil minsan itanong din natin sa sarili natin kung nagsikap ba tau na tulungan ang atin sarili at hingin ang tulong at paggabay ng Panginoon...............at kung tau ba ay tumawag, humingi ng tulong sa Panginoon at nagsikap na na makamtan ang hinihinging tulong sa Panginoon?...............nilikha tau upang magsikap hindi upang umasa sa anumang himala o milagro.....matatagpuan natin ang himala o milagro sa ating pagsisikap at sa tulong na rin ng Panginoon at hindi upang maging tamad at umasa na lang sa darating na himala o milagro......sa ating manggagaling ang mga yun.......gagamitin tau ng Panginoon upang gumawa ng himala ng milagro at yun ay sa ating pagsisikap an makapamuhay na maayos at mabuti.....at doon natin makikita kung paano kumikilos ang Panginoon sa ating buhay

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

My Faith Journey as a Catholic

When I was a child my mother taught the basic tenents of the catholic faith including the Bible. She taught me to pray every morning and before going to sleep, she even try to motivate me in going to Mass on Sundays but of course during those time I am not really fond of going to Mass because for me when I was a kid attending Mass is just a waste of time for me, but of course I was really ignorant of the truth during those times, it is why whenever I remember those times I see myself as a lax catholic, but of course it did not last long, because my interest in going to Mass started after my first communion since this was th first time that I will receive the Lord in Holy Communion. Because I am still ignorant of some tenents of my faith during those times, me and my sister was once been invited by a non-catholic born-again group to attend their Bible School, since there was nothing wrong with that we consented, but of course I have a srong devotion that time to the Blessed Virgin Mary, because for me the Blessed Virgin Mary is like my mother. Well the weeks in the Bible study are nice since we were been taught about the Bible, BUT the only thing that I really don't like to happen those times was this. During our Bible study I was really shocked to hear that they now try to teach us something which is against our catholic faith. They try to teach us the teachings of Martin Luther and then the first belief they attack was the catholic belief on the Immaculate Conception since that was the patron saint of our village. I didn't realize that they who say 'I love you to the Lord' now try to destroy His mother. After that it really hurts me and I really don't like to listen since that was the only thing after the Eucharist that I really don't like to abandon.

I am not been convinced of what they are saying, because this was the irony of what happened. Because I was really so childish and innocent at that time I brought with me a prayer book (but actually I don't kno that it was the collectio rituum) with the two stampitas or holy card of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Immaculate Heart of Mary, I don't know why I brought this thing in public and at the headquarters of Born Again who attack the Blessed Virgin Mary, I even openly exposed them at their eyes and even during prayers make the sign of the cross......if we will ask why I do that...then my answer would be...'well I am a Catholic and I am just living my Catholic Faith, if they attack me from what I did then I'll leave that place and never to return because I don't want my faith to be disrespected'....If they want me to know more about the Bible, then fine, so be it.....BUT if they even touch what my faith teaches me...then sorry....I think there is no reason for me to be there.......since I am not doing anything bad to them and I just being Christian in my approach to them especially in being friendly, yet in insulting my Catholic Christian faith then there is no reason to call it a Christian way of life.....it is why I don't really understand them whenever they call themselves as Christians but the way they treat the Catholic Church is not being a Christian way.....so after that I didn't again join whenever they have a vacation Bible School because I expect already what I would hear from them.....after that I started to know more about my catholic faith, I felt the urge to study more about it and read the Bible also.......there also times again that me my sister was been invited by other born-again groups....one time my sister's friend'Jinalyn Quick' who is a born again invited us in their Jamboree at the Trece Martires Cavite, so we went there but we don't know that there is something behind which shocked me a lot during the Jamboree, it's a bit nice but after that we were asked if we like to be baptized but in a deceptive manner, I don't know what to do but of course did not believe on that, they deceivingly convinced us that it was not in entering any religion but only in cleansing us from our sins which is a half-truth......so me and my sister give in to their suggestion BUT of course I am very doubtful on what they did.....it is why we were been baptized by them in a deceiving way...but of course I did not believe on the validity of that baptism since there is only one baptism that I recognize and that was my catholic baptism when I was still a child.........because we were being deceived unknowingly we went home but I am still doubtful on them and on what they did.....so when I became involved in being an altar server in the Catholic Church I started to study my catholic faith more and more and know it very well to be well preapred in the future.....so I confessed to the priest what happened to me at Trece that I never acknowledge nor believe that kind of baptism being given to us deceivingly by the non-catholics and of course I said to myself that I will remain faithful and hold-on to my catholc faith until death and will not give in to the suggestions of non-catholics and it would be hard for them to convert me already how much they try to attack my catholic faith........these two are the things which make me a faithful and strong catholic........First, was my love for our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ escpecially His true and real presence in the Holy Eucharist escpecially in Holy Mass and also my love and devotion to His Mother the Blessed Virgin Mary....because for me if I love the Lord Jesus I must also love His mother which is Mama Mary not as a distraction but to know the Lord Jesus more, because the Blessed Virgin Mary knows more about our Lord Jesus Christ than any of us do since She was His mother.......that what keeps me a strong catholic until death....of course I am not generalizing all non-catholics...maybe some are been unchristian towards catholics but there are also some who are friendly and who respect my faith and being open about it and I have a friend who is a methodist pastor who is so open and is friendly to me without touching what I believe these people are those people who live their Christian faith and is being Christian to others in their approach unlike some who became fundamentalists already without showing any respect to others especially towards the belief of the Roman Catholic Church