The courage to serve

 

By Fr. Roy Cimagala

Chaplain

Center for Industrial Technology and Enterprise (CITE)

Talamban, Cebu City

Email: roycimagala@gmail.com

THE Gospel for the 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time (Matthew 25:14–30) presents

the familiar parable of the talents. At first glance, it seems to be about money and

investments. Yet its deeper message is about the gifts, opportunities, and grace God

entrusts to each of us. They are never meant to be hidden away but to be used

generously in loving service. What matters is not how much we receive, but what we do

with what has been placed in our hands.

The master gives different amounts to each servant according to his ability. This

shows that God knows each person intimately. He understands our strengths,

limitations, and circumstances. He never expects the same results from everyone, but

He does expect each of us to respond faithfully to the gifts we have received.

Two servants immediately put their talents to work and double them. The third

servant, however, does nothing. Fear controls him. Instead of trusting his master, he

buries the talent to avoid any risk. His greatest failure is not that he earned nothing, but

that fear prevented him from acting at all.

This temptation is familiar. We hesitate to take the first step because we fear

mistakes or criticism. We delay doing good because we think our contribution is too

small. We compare ourselves with others and end up doing nothing. In the process,

valuable opportunities to love, serve, and grow quietly pass us by.

The Lord reminds us that faithful stewardship always calls for action. Every gift

has a purpose. Our talents, knowledge, resources, and time are meant to benefit others

and give glory to God. Even our struggles can become offerings that strengthen our

faith and encourage those who are carrying heavy burdens.

The parable also points to a day of accountability. Each servant eventually

stands before the master to give an account. This should not fill us with fear but with

purpose. God is not waiting for us to fail. He desires that we grow by cooperating with

His grace and making good use of what He has lovingly entrusted to us.

The master's praise is striking. Both faithful servants hear the same words: “Well

done, good and faithful servant.” One earned five talents and the other only two, yet

both receive the same reward. This teaches that God measures faithfulness, not

numbers. He looks first at the love, generosity, and perseverance behind our efforts.

This truth frees us from comparing ourselves with others. Some are called to

serve large communities, while others quietly sanctify family life or ordinary work. Some

preach to many, while others inspire through hidden acts of kindness and sacrifice. The

size of the task matters less than the fidelity with which it is carried out.

The third servant lost everything because he allowed fear to rule his heart. Fear

keeps us from discovering what God's grace can accomplish through us. Trust, on the

other hand, gives us the courage to act despite our weaknesses. God does not ask for

perfection before we begin. He simply asks us to begin with confidence in Him.

This Gospel invites us to examine how we are using the gifts God has given us.

Today is the best time to start if we have delayed. Let us serve generously, work

faithfully, and live responsibly, knowing that every act of love offered to God has lasting

value. Then, when the Lord comes, we may joyfully hear His welcome: “Well done,

good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of your master.”

The Kingdom of God is in our midst

 

By Fr. Roy Cimagala

Chaplain

Center for Industrial Technology and Enterprise (CITE)

Talamban, Cebu City

Email: roycimagala@gmail.com

THE Gospel for Thursday of the 32 nd Week in Ordinary Times (Luke 17:20-25)

invites us to see God's kingdom with fresh eyes. The Pharisees asked Jesus when the

Kingdom of God would come. They expected something dramatic and unmistakable.

Christ answered that the Kingdom was already in their midst because he himself was

present among them.

The same misunderstanding can affect us today. We sometimes think God acts

only through extraordinary events, overwhelming emotions, or spectacular miracles. We

wait for something remarkable while overlooking the quiet but real ways he is already

working in our daily lives.

Jesus says that God's kingdom does not come with outward display. It begins

wherever people welcome his grace, obey his word, and allow him to reign in their

hearts. Before transforming the world, God first transforms the human heart.

This truth changes how we look at ordinary life. Every honest day's work, every

hidden sacrifice, every sincere prayer, and every act of kindness becomes a place

where God's reign quietly grows. Holiness is not built through rare achievements but

through ordinary duties carried out with love.

Jesus also speaks about his glorious return. He warns his disciples not to follow

those who say, "Look, here he is," or "There he is." The Lord discourages unhealthy

curiosity about the end of the world and instead teaches faithful perseverance in the

present.

That lesson is especially relevant today. We are surrounded by sensational news,

alarming predictions, and voices claiming special knowledge about the future. The

Gospel calls us to remain calm, grounded, and focused on living faithfully each day

instead of being distracted by speculation.

When Christ comes again, no one will need to announce it. His return will be as

unmistakable as lightning flashing across the sky. Rather than trying to predict that day,

we should make sure our hearts are always ready to welcome him.

Before speaking of his glory, Jesus reminds his disciples that the Son of Man

must first suffer and be rejected. This pattern also shapes every Christian life. The

Cross always comes before the crown. Growth in holiness often requires sacrifice,

patience, and perseverance.

This truth brings hope during life's trials. Difficulties do not mean God has

abandoned us. United with Christ, every burden can become an offering of love, every

disappointment an occasion to trust him more deeply, and every hardship a step toward

lasting joy.

The Gospel also reminds us that we help extend God's kingdom wherever we

are. Families become stronger when forgiveness replaces resentment. Workplaces

improve when honesty overcomes compromise. Communities flourish when generosity

triumphs over selfishness. God's reign spreads quietly through faithful people.

Several practical resolutions naturally follow. Begin each day by asking Christ to

reign in your thoughts, words, and actions. Spend a few moments daily in silent prayer

to recognize his presence. Carry out your ordinary duties with love and care. Refuse to

be distracted by sensational claims about the future, and remain firmly rooted in the

Church's faith. Accept daily crosses with confidence, knowing they prepare you for

greater union with Christ.

The Kingdom of God is not far away. It is already growing wherever Christ is

welcomed. If we allow him to reign in our hearts today, we will face the future with peace

instead of fear, faithfully walking with him until the day he returns in glory.

Serving God without keeping score

 

By Fr. Roy Cimagala

Chaplain

Center for Industrial Technology and Enterprise (CITE)

Talamban, Cebu City

Email: roycimagala@gmail.com

THE Gospel in Luke 17:7-10 may sound surprising at first. Jesus tells of a servant who works in the field all day and, after returning home, continues serving his master before eating. He concludes, “We are unprofitable servants; we have done what we were obliged to do.” Rather than discouraging us, these words reveal the beauty of true humility before God.

Our world often teaches us to seek recognition for every good thing we do. While appreciation is valuable, Jesus reminds us that our relationship with God is never a business deal. We cannot place Him in our debt, because everything we have—including our ability to love and serve—is already His gift.

This changes how we view our daily responsibilities. Whether we are parents, workers, students, priests, or religious, our ordinary duties become opportunities to respond to God's love. Carrying them out faithfully is not merely fulfilling an obligation but expressing gratitude for all that He has given us.

Holiness is usually found not in extraordinary achievements but in ordinary tasks done with extraordinary love. A patient reply, careful work, a hidden sacrifice, or a prayer whispered during a busy day may seem small. Yet these simple acts become precious when they are offered to God with a sincere heart.

The Gospel also warns us against spiritual pride. We may begin to think that because we pray, serve in the parish, or help others, we deserve special recognition or greater blessings. We may even compare ourselves with others. Jesus gently reminds us that every good thing we accomplish is first the work of God's grace within us.

Without His help, we can do very little. Every act of charity, every victory over temptation, and every step toward holiness begins with His initiative. Our cooperation matters, but grace always comes first. Recognizing this truth keeps us humble while encouraging us to trust God even more.

Calling ourselves "unprofitable servants" does not mean that we are worthless. On the contrary, our value is beyond measure because God loves us infinitely. He created us in His image and redeemed us through Christ. Our dignity comes from being His beloved children, not from our accomplishments or successes.

This is why we serve Him with joy instead of fear. We are not trying to earn His love but responding to a love already given. Gratitude becomes the driving force of Christian living. The more we recognize God's generosity, the more willing we become to give ourselves in return.

Such humility also brings freedom and peace. When we stop depending on applause or constant affirmation, we can work quietly and faithfully, even when no one notices. Hidden acts of love never escape God's attention. He sees every sacrifice, every silent struggle, and every duty carried out for His sake.

This perspective transforms our daily lives. Our work, family responsibilities, friendships, and service to others become opportunities to glorify God. We stop measuring our efforts by human standards and instead ask only whether we have loved Him faithfully in the circumstances He has given us.

The Gospel invites us to examine our motivation. Do we serve only when it is convenient or appreciated? Or do we remain faithful simply because God deserves our love? A genuine servant does not keep score. Serving the Lord is itself a privilege, since everything we are and possess already belongs to Him.

When we embrace this humble spirit, our lives become lighter and more joyful. We discover that holiness is not about seeking greatness but about loving faithfully in ordinary things. Then, with grateful hearts, we can truly say that we have simply done our duty, while knowing that every grace and every reward come from God's endless mercy and love.

Guarding our heart against greed

 

By Fr. Roy Cimagala

Chaplain

Center for Industrial Technology and Enterprise (CITE)

Talamban, Cebu City

Email: roycimagala@gmail.com

THE man in Luke 12:13-21 (Gospel of Monday, 29th Week, Ordinary Time) must have thought he had found the perfect financial planner. He interrupted Jesus in the middle of a serious teaching and said, in effect, "Lord, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me." 

Perhaps he expected Christ to serve as a lawyer, judge, or mediator. Instead, Christ diagnosed something far deeper than a property dispute. He exposed a heart quietly infected by greed.

Then comes the unforgettable parable. A rich farmer harvests a bumper crop and immediately faces what many today would call a "first-world problem." His barns are too small. 

So, he draws up an ambitious expansion project. Demolish the old warehouses. Build larger ones. Store everything. Then retire early with the famous slogan: "Eat, drink, and be merry."

He sounds remarkably modern. If he lived in today's Philippines, he would probably post drone videos of his new warehouse on social media, upload motivational quotes about "manifesting abundance," and invite followers to enroll in an online course entitled, “How I Retired Before Forty”. The likes would multiply faster than the harvest.

God, however, is not impressed by viral success. The divine verdict arrives without warning: "You fool! This very night your life will be demanded of you." The larger barns suddenly become very small. His investments remain behind while he departs empty-handed.

The point is not that wealth is evil. Scripture consistently praises honest labor, prudent planning, and responsible stewardship. Material goods are genuine blessings when they serve the good of persons and glorify God. 

The problem begins when possessions quietly begin possessing their owner. Instead of managing wealth, wealth begins managing him.

That danger is subtle because greed rarely introduces itself honestly. It wears respectable clothes. It calls itself financial security, sensible planning, or simply wanting the best for one's family. Those goals are good in themselves. Yet they become distorted when they replace trust in God with trust in bank accounts, investment portfolios, land titles, or business empires.

Our culture provides endless examples. Many Filipinos work heroically to support their families, and their sacrifice deserves admiration. Yet alongside this generosity runs another temptation. 

We sometimes measure success by the size of the house, the latest SUV, designer handbags displayed online, or lavish celebrations financed by loans that may outlive the party itself. We joke that appearances must be maintained even when savings disappear. Sometimes the joke is uncomfortably close to reality.

The Gospel reminds us that every blessing carries a mission. What we receive is never meant to stop with us. Wealth is entrusted so that others may also benefit. The richest person is not the one who accumulates the most but the one whose generosity reflects the abundance of God. Charity enlarges the heart far more effectively than bigger barns enlarge storage space.

There is another irony worth noticing. The rich man constantly says, "my crops," "my barns," "my grain," "my goods." He speaks to himself but never to God. He has an excellent business plan but no prayer life. He carefully counts sacks of grain but never counts his blessings. He knows market values but forgets eternal values.

Christ therefore invites us to become rich in what truly lasts. Faith, honesty, justice, generosity, purity of heart, and love survive the grave. These are investments no economic crisis can erase and no inflation can devalue.

Perhaps the safest barn is not the one with the strongest locks but the one with an open door. The grain shared with the hungry reaches heaven before we do. And unlike earthly storage facilities, God's treasury never runs out of space.

The prayer that leaves no room for selfishness

By Fr. Roy Cimagala

Chaplain

Center for Industrial Technology and Enterprise (CITE)

Talamban, Cebu City

Email: roycimagala@gmail.com

THE disciples had watched Jesus preach to crowds, calm storms, heal the sick, and even raise the dead. Yet they never asked, "Lord, teach us to work miracles." Instead, they asked, "Lord, teach us to pray." (Lk. 11:1-4)

That says a lot. They had figured out where the power came from. Before every great deed was a deeper conversation with the Father. Prayer was not Christ's coffee break. It was the engine room of his life.

So, Jesus did not hand them a thick manual entitled “One Hundred Effective Ways to Pray.” He gave them a prayer so short that even a distracted mind could memorize it, yet so profound that the greatest theologians have never exhausted it.

The Lord's Prayer is not simply a prayer. It is the blueprint of every genuine prayer. It begins with one revolutionary word: Father. Not Boss. Not CEO of the universe. Not Supreme Bureaucrat. Father.

That one word demolishes fear and builds confidence. Christians do not approach God as nervous applicants hoping for approval. We come as children entering the home of Someone who already loves us.

Then comes the surprise. Jesus does not teach us to begin with, "Please fix my problems." Instead, we pray, "Hallowed be your name." God comes first.

Imagine that! In a world where most prayers sound like emergency shopping lists, Jesus starts with worship. Before asking God to improve our lives, we ask that his glory shine through them.

Next comes, "Your kingdom come." Notice what is missing. We do not pray, "My kingdom come." Most of our stress comes from trying to build tiny kingdoms with ourselves on the throne. Christ quietly removes the crown and hands it back to its rightful Owner.

Only then does he allow us to ask for bread. Not next year's supply. Not a lifetime guarantee. Just today's bread. That is enough.

This simple request teaches trust. God gives us what we need one day at a time because dependence keeps love alive. It also reminds us that our deepest hunger is not for food but for the Bread of Life, without whom even a full stomach leaves an empty soul.

Then comes the petition many people mumble a little too quickly. "Forgive us... as we forgive." That line should make everyone pause. We gladly ask for unlimited mercy from heaven while offering limited mercy on earth. We want God to erase our mistakes but carefully preserve everyone else's.

Jesus will not let us play that game. Those who receive mercy must become merciful. Forgiveness is not meant to be stored like canned goods. It is meant to circulate.

Finally, we ask for protection against temptation. Not because God enjoys testing us, but because we know our weakness. The Christian life is not a stroll through a flower garden. It is a battle. Smart soldiers stay close to their commander.

That is why the Lord's Prayer remains the perfect prayer. It teaches us what matters most before it teaches us what to ask for. It straightens our priorities before it answers our petitions.

Everything is there: worship, trust, surrender, dependence, forgiveness, perseverance, and hope. Best of all, it slowly changes the person who prays it.

Perhaps that is why Jesus gave us this prayer instead of a thousand others. If we pray it thoughtfully every day—not mechanically but sincerely—we will eventually notice something remarkable.

Our prayers become less about getting God to do our will and more about letting him accomplish his. And once that happens, we discover that the greatest answer to prayer is not getting everything we ask for.

It is becoming the kind of person who wants what God wants.

The one thing we cannot afford to lose

 

By Fr. Roy Cimagala

Chaplain

Center for Industrial Technology and Enterprise (CITE)

Talamban, Cebu City

Email: roycimagala@gmail.com

WE live in an age that celebrates multitasking. The busier a person is, the more important he appears. Calendars are packed, phones never stop buzzing, and the to-do list grows faster than it shrinks. We have become experts at doing many things at once, yet often forget to ask the most important question: Are we doing the one thing that truly matters?

That is the question hidden in the familiar Gospel of Martha and Mary (Lk. 10:38-42). Martha is not doing anything wrong. She welcomes Christ into her home and works hard to serve him. Hospitality is a virtue, not a vice. Her problem begins when activity crowds out intimacy. She becomes so absorbed in serving the Guest that she gradually loses sight of the Guest himself.

Mary, meanwhile, sits at the Lord's feet, listening to his words. To many, she appears unproductive. Yet Jesus surprises everyone by declaring that she has chosen "the better part," the one thing necessary that will not be taken away from her.

What is that one necessary thing? It is not inactivity. It is not abandoning work, family, or responsibility. Christ is revealing a principle that gives meaning to everything else: before we can do anything well for God, we must first be with God.

Everything begins there. Prayer is not an interruption of life. It is the foundation of life. A branch bears fruit only because it remains attached to the vine. The moment it separates itself, it begins to die, no matter how green it may still appear.

The same is true of the Christian. We can fill our days with worthwhile projects, charitable works, successful careers, and even religious activities. Yet if these are no longer nourished by a living friendship with Christ, they slowly become empty performances. The hands keep working while the heart quietly drifts away.

This explains why Jesus gently corrects Martha instead of praising her efficiency. "You are anxious and troubled about many things." Anxiety is often the sign that we have allowed secondary concerns to replace the primary one. We become exhausted not because we have too much to do, but because we try to carry everything without constantly placing ourselves before the Lord.

Ironically, the more deeply we pray, the more effective our work becomes. Time spent with God is never wasted time. It purifies our intentions, sharpens our judgment, strengthens our charity, and gives peace that no schedule can provide.

The saints repeatedly discovered this paradox. The most active among them were also the most contemplative. Their astonishing works flowed from long hours of silent union with God. Action and contemplation were never rivals. The first was the fruit of the second.

That remains the challenge for every Christian today. Our homes, workplaces, and even churches can become filled with activity while becoming strangely empty of recollection. We risk becoming managers of religious affairs instead of disciples who first listen to the Master.

The "one thing necessary" is therefore not one task among many. It is the center from which every task receives its direction. It is loving communion with Christ through prayer, faith, and obedience. Once that center is secure, work becomes worship, service becomes joyful, and ordinary duties become paths to holiness.

The lesson of Martha and Mary is not to choose prayer over work or work over prayer. It is to ensure that every action springs from a heart that first listens to God.

When Christ occupies the first place, everything else finds its proper place. Lose that one thing, and even success becomes empty. Keep that one thing, and every moment—even the busiest—becomes an encounter with the Lord.

Big things start small

By Fr. Roy Cimagala

Chaplain

Center for Industrial Technology and Enterprise (CITE)

Talamban, Cebu City

Email: roycimagala@gmail.com

SOME people approach life the way toddlers approach an all-you-can-eat buffet: one gigantic plate, zero strategy, and complete confidence that nothing could possibly go wrong. 

They announce world-changing plans before breakfast, only to discover by lunchtime that they cannot even keep a houseplant alive. Thankfully, Christ's parables of the mustard seed and the yeast (cfr. Mt 13,31-35) offer a gentler, wiser approach: start small. Very small. So small that your ego may need counseling.

The mustard seed does not demand to become a towering tree overnight. The yeast does not throw a dramatic press conference announcing its intention to inflate an entire bakery by noon. They simply do their quiet work. Meanwhile, humans are busy writing ten-year plans after watching one motivational video and purchasing expensive planners that will remain suspiciously blank after February.

There is profound wisdom in beginning with little things. Small beginnings build strong foundations, unlike castles constructed entirely from wishful thinking and inspirational quotes. 

More importantly, the ordinary moments of daily life are precisely where God quietly waits for us. Scripture reminds us that God's will is our sanctification, not our successful audition for the role of "Most Impressive Person on Earth."

Starting small also keeps us from the dangerous sport of premature greatness. Many brilliant projects have collapsed because someone confused enthusiasm with competence. Patience grows best when watered daily by humble effort instead of flashy ambition. Even better, small beginnings gently force us to rely on God's providence instead of our own oversized confidence.

This means finding God in ordinary routines: washing dishes without composing a personal tragedy, answering emails without declaring war on your inbox, smiling at difficult people instead of secretly nominating them for exile. 

Suddenly, these tiny actions become holy because they are no longer just our own efforts. They become opportunities to cooperate with God rather than starring in the one-person show called "Look What I Accomplished."

People often dream of performing spectacular acts of holiness. They imagine heroic sacrifices, dramatic miracles, or perhaps receiving heavenly applause after surviving an especially difficult committee meeting. 

Yet true greatness usually arrives disguised as countless unnoticed acts of kindness, patience, honesty, and love. Heaven apparently has a soft spot for people who quietly do the right thing without demanding a trophy or at least a commemorative coffee mug.

Never underestimate the power of little things. Tiny acts of love accumulate like compound interest, except the dividends are eternal. Ignore them, however, and you may discover that you have mastered impressive speeches about faith while remaining spectacularly impatient with slow cashiers and family members who chew too loudly.

Christ himself offered the perfect performance review: whoever is faithful in little things will also be faithful in much. That sounds wonderfully simple until your greatest spiritual challenge turns out to be remaining charitable before your first cup of coffee. Apparently, sainthood begins much closer to the kitchen sink than to the spotlight.

Sanctity may indeed require heroic courage, perhaps even martyrdom for some. For most of us, however, heroism wears ordinary clothes. It means consistently choosing love when nobody notices, nobody applauds, and nobody posts it online. Hidden faithfulness can be remarkably heroic.

So, spend your day asking, "Lord, what should I do with this moment?" Whether facing exciting work, tedious chores, or endless waiting, invite Christ into every little task. The mustard seed never looked impressive on day one, but somehow it still managed to outgrow every oversized ego in the garden.

Music and our spiritual life

 

By Fr. Roy Cimagala

Chaplain

Center for Industrial Technology and Enterprise (CITE)

Talamban, Cebu City

Email: roycimagala@gmail.com

MUSIC has always been more than entertainment. It is woven into the fabric of human life and, more importantly, into our spiritual journey. The Bible alone testifies to this truth, containing hundreds of references to singing, musical instruments, and songs. From the Psalms to the heavenly choirs in Revelation, music has long been a powerful expression of faith and worship.

In everyday life, music speaks a language that words often cannot. It comforts us in moments of sorrow, lifts our spirits when we are weary, energizes us during physical activity, and calms us after stressful days. It has an extraordinary ability to reach the heart, making it one of humanity's most universal forms of expression.

Music also brings people together. Whether in worship, celebration, or shared moments of grief, singing creates a common rhythm that unites individuals into a community. It strengthens relationships and even rekindles memories. A familiar melody can instantly transport us to a cherished moment, reminding us of people, places, and experiences that shaped our lives.

Its spiritual power, however, goes even deeper. Music helps quiet the distractions of the mind and opens the heart to God. Sacred songs allow us to absorb biblical truths and prayers in a way that remains with us long after the final note fades. When words seem inadequate to express our deepest hopes, fears, gratitude, or love, music gives the soul its own vocabulary for speaking with God.

Unlike simply listening to a sermon or reading a devotional book, singing engages the whole person. Mind, heart, voice, and body work together in worship, making our encounter with God more personal, vivid, and transformative.

Music is, in many ways, a bridge between the human and the divine. It transcends rhythm, melody, and technique to awaken something profound within us. It stirs the soul, deepens prayer, and makes God's presence more real and more compelling.

As music continues to evolve, countless styles and genres have emerged—from classical masterpieces to contemporary worship and modern popular music. Change is natural, but one principle should remain constant: music must always lead us closer to God. Not every trend deserves to be embraced without discernment. We should evaluate the music we listen to and perform according to whether it nourishes what is good, true, and holy.

For me, music touches a mysterious meeting place between body and spirit, between the visible and the invisible. It has the remarkable ability to elevate the ordinary into something sacred, transforming everyday experiences into moments of grace. It awakens not only our emotions but our deepest longing for God.

Music also expands our vision of life. It allows us to explore the heights of hope, the depths of suffering, and the richness of the human experience. In many ways, it reaches beyond what our senses and intellect alone can grasp. It gives fresh perspective and opens new horizons.

Perhaps that is why music speaks directly to the heart. It expresses feelings that often remain hidden beneath words and connects people across cultures, backgrounds, and generations. Its appeal is universal because it reflects something universal within us.

At its best, music draws its inspiration from God—His love, wisdom, mercy, humility, and truth. Such music possesses a beauty that surpasses mere artistry because it points beyond itself to the Creator. That is why we should be careful not to become captivated by music that leads us away from what is objectively good. The finest music does not simply entertain; it elevates, inspires, and ultimately brings us closer to God.

Christ meets us in our doubts

By Fr. Roy Cimagala

Chaplain

Center for Industrial Technology and Enterprise (CITE)

Talamban, Cebu City

Email: roycimagala@gmail.com

THE story of the doubting Thomas brings to light the phenomenon about doubts in our Christian faith. We should not be surprised by it. We know that doubts about our faith can easily rise in our mind for a number of reasons.

Why do we doubt sometimes? Because our capacity to know things well is hampered by a number of limitations and factors. We tend to depend too much on our senses, we can commit mistakes in our reasoning, we can have biases that color the way we see things, we are dealing with things spiritual and supernatural that are beyond our natural powers of knowing, etc.

We cannot deny that we can have some doubts, for example, about who Christ is and what he is to us. These days in the world in general, we can see strong evidence of a culture of skepticism, agnosticism, religious indifferentism, if not, outright atheism.

This should come as no surprise to us because even during the time of Christ, many of the supposedly religious leaders were skeptical of him and were often suspicious of him, always trying to find fault in him.

The quick reason for that phenomenon is that the person of Christ is largely shrouded by mysteries that are difficult if not impossible for us to understand fully. That he is both God and man, that he was brought to earth through a virgin birth, are just some of the mysteries many people do not even bother to consider.

There are, of course, many other reasons. Many people are lazy and do not bother to know Christ, let alone, study the gospels. And even the Bible is considered by many people as a mere collection of myths and legends. And we can go on and on with reasons for the lack of interest in Christ.

But what we can do is first of all really to pray, to humble ourselves, realizing that the question about Christ is a matter of faith which is a supernatural gift that can only be appreciated by us if we are humble enough to accept and correspond to that gift. Of course, Christ can strike a most powerful grace to convert a person instantly into a man of faith, much like what happened to St. Paul also.

What we should do is to be humble to acknowledge these limitations and be guarded against them. Specifically, we should be humble enough to ask God for that gift of faith which he is all too willing to give us. And from there, we should just have to make many acts of faith in God and in things related to him, even as we study the doctrine of our faith, trying to assimilate them in our life. 

This way we would be imitating the attitude of many of the Biblical characters, especially like Our Lady who, in spite of not fully understanding how she was going to be the Mother of God, simply said “Be it done to me according to your word.”

But let’s remember that Christ is not scandalized by our doubts. He may reproach us for them, but he will not remain indifferent to that wounded condition of ours. Like in the case of St. Thomas, Christ would be willing to clarify them for us in his own mysterious ways.

In short, our doubts should spur us some more to get closer to God rather than to run away from him. That’s why we need to be humble.

Staying calm amid life’s storms

 

By Fr. Roy Cimagala

Chaplain

Center for Industrial Technology and Enterprise (CITE)

Talamban, Cebu City

Email: roycimagala@gmail.com

THAT’S what we can learn from that gospel episode about Christ’s disciples caught in a storm while in the middle of the sea. (cfr. Mt 8,23-27) They, at first, were gripped with fear, a very understandable reaction. 

And when they noticed Christ simply sleeping in the boat, they woke him up, expressing their fear. That’s when Christ simply stood up and calmed the turbulent sea, leaving them greatly astonished. But Christ faulted them for their lack of faith.

Yes, we too can easily be frozen in fear when we encounter the different forms of life’s storms. But like Our Lord’s disciples, we should just go immediately to him and ask for his help. And to be sure, he will always be there to help, but maybe in ways that may escape our understanding. In this, we should not be surprised and start to loosen our faith in God’s powerful and wise ways.

There’s really no reason to be too worried and anxious when we encounter some difficulty in our life. In fact, we have every reason to be confident and at peace, focused on what we are supposed to do. And that’s because we are always in God’s hands.

Whatever situation we may be in, we can be sure that God will always provide for what is truly needed by us, and it may not be what we want. We just have to trust him completely for he knows better than we do, and what we want may not be what we need. It may not even be what is good for us.

God always knows what to do in any situation we may find ourselves in. He may allow some evil to come to us, an evil that can do us no harm unless we let it, but God knows how to draw good from evil.

Ours is simply to trust God completely, and out of that trust, we should always feel confident and courageous to do what we are supposed to do. We should not waste our time lamenting and feeling like a victim, or wallowing in doubts, passivity and self-pity. 

We have to remove ourselves from that state mentioned by St. Paul in his Letter to the Ephesians: “children tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the cunning of men, by their craftiness in deceitful wiles.” (4,14) We have to keep going. There are a lot of things to do.

Yes, there will always be challenges, problems, difficulties that humanly speaking may be impossible for us to tackle. But as long as we have trust in God, we can sincerely echo St. Paul’s words: “I can do all things in him who strengthens me.” (Phil 4,13) These words have been verified to be true in the lives of all the saints, especially the martyrs.

It’s important that we be confident and at peace always, because that would put us in the proper condition to do the things we are supposed to do. It will make us bold and courageous, fruitful and productive.

It is a confidence that is not presumptuous. It goes together with prudence, discretion and tact. It is meek and humble, not pompous, arrogant and vain. It reassures and inspires people. It would make us credible in our witnessing to Christ’s saving message. 

It is a confidence that is both in heaven and on earth. It happily blends eternity and time. It is not simply theoretical. It is also realistic and practical.

From human weakness to greatness

 

By Fr. Roy Cimagala

Chaplain

Center for Industrial Technology and Enterprise (CITE)

Talamban, Cebu City

Email: roycimagala@gmail.com

THAT’S what can come to mind as we celebrate the Solemnity of St. Peter and Paul on June 29. They were men with their share of human weaknesses and imperfections and yet they became the pillars and foundational columns of the Church.

We all know how St. Peter was. He denied Christ three times. He received from Christ that most severe and corrective rebuke, “Get behind me, Satan” (Mt 16,23) when he tried to prevent Christ from fulfilling his redemptive mission of offering his life on the cross.

St. Paul was hardly any different. Before his conversion, he aggressively attacked the early Christians. And even after conversion, he continued to be hounded by his weaknesses that at one point, to prevent him from being conceited, he was given a “thorn in the flesh.” (cfr. 2 Cor 12,7)

But what made them great was their faith in Christ and in the power of grace that always triumphs whatever human frailty they had. St. Paul articulated this when he said: “Where sin abounded, grace abounded much more.” (Rom 5,20)

The lesson to learn here is for us to know how to convert our weaknesses into the occasion to grow in strength. And the secret is to assume the identity of Christ and his attitude toward all forms of human weaknesses and limitations. He himself assumed our human weaknesses even to the extent of making himself like sin without committing sin, if only to save us from our fatal predicament. (cfr. 2 Cor 5,21)

If we would just open ourselves to the possibility of taking that leap of faith to become like Christ who gives us all the means to be so, what may appear to us as an impossibility due to our weakness and limitations can become possible.

We should make St. Paul’s words, “For when I am weak, then I am strong,” (2 Cor 12,10) also as our own, and feel reassured and consoled every time we are hounded and burdened by all sorts of difficulties and troubles, including when we are tempted and fall into sin.

We have to know what exactly St. Paul meant by those words. What we can readily see is that he made all these predicaments a reason for him to go to Christ, to identify himself more closely with Christ who went all the way to making himself like sin without committing sin just to save us. (cfr. 2 Cor 5,21)

We have to learn how to react to all these negative and evil elements in our life from the point of view of our Christian faith, and never just from our own estimation of things that would often lead us to be scandalized, to feel bad and discouraged, and to run away from the one who can resolve everything for us, including those problems we cannot anymore resolve.

Our faith in God can still work and function even if we are down spiritually and morally, because it is, first of all, a gift from God who will always give it to us irrespective of how we have been behaving. We should just try our best to receive it and to correspond to it as best that we can.

We need to trust in God’s providence and mercy. We have to learn to live a spirit of abandonment in the hands of God. Yes, if we have faith in God, in his wisdom and mercy, in his unfailing love for us, we know that everything will always work out for the good. (cfr. Rom 8,28) Our weaknesses can be the gateway for our greatness, the greatness of the children of God!

Human love made divine

 

By Fr. Roy Cimagala

Chaplain

Center for Industrial Technology and Enterprise (CITE)

Talamban, Cebu City

Email: roycimagala@gmail.com

WE are meant for loving. That’s why we have intelligence and will, both encapsulated in our heart. That’s why Christ once said, insofar as the intelligence is related to the heart, “Out of the heart come evil thoughts.” (Mt 15,19) And insofar as the will is also in the heart, King David said, “Set your heart to seek the Lord.” (1Chr 22,19)

We need to see to it that our intelligence and will, our mind and heart and, in fact, all our other faculties—our emotions and passions, our memory and imagination, etc.—should be made to learn how to love properly. They should not just be used to pursue purely personal, i.e., egoistic, and temporal goals. 

They should learn to have the true love which can only be a living participation and channeling of the very love which is the essence of God and is meant also to be the essence of our humanity, since we are God’s image and likeness. Thus, human and natural love, which is always wounded, should be elevated to the supernatural order, to partake of the divine love that is also meant for us.

We need to elevate and purify our human love to make it divine. This is done when our love is animated not simply by our human powers alone, but by the grace of God. With God’s grace, which is always made available to us, our intellect and will, i.e., our heart, and all our other human faculties, get healed. As a result, we would never say enough in our self-giving.

We would always be thinking of others, avoiding the tendency to simply think of our own selves, our own interests. We would always take the initiative to surrender our whole heart to God and to everybody else.

When our love is made divine, it will have a universal scope. It can prefer to suffer and die for the truth. It covers everyone, including our enemies, the unlovable, the sinners. It is given without measure, without limits, giving the impression of some kind of madness. And even when unreciprocated, our heart would just go on loving.

Human love becomes divine when we let God take our heart and make it beat with his charity. Then we just would not stop judging others. We would start working for human redemption, in vital cooperation with Christ’s continuing mission of saving man.

For this, we have to expand our heart to make it more universal, as well as broaden our mind so we can understand things more deeply and extensively. Let’s examine ourselves more thoroughly so as to be more aware of our biases and preferences that can get in the way of our effort to adapt and our pursuit for a more universal love and compassion.

We have to learn how to go through the process of changing, improving and growing in our spiritual life. This can be painful and tedious, but it is always worthwhile. Not only that. It is necessary, if we have to be realistic.

This universal love should not be exclusively associated with the sweet and tender moments of pity, sympathy and empathy. It demands sacrifice and self-denial which we should be willing to give.

Our challenging times are actually a call for us to identify ourselves more closely with Christ so we can love everyone the way Christ loved all of us and continues to do so.

The off-ramp for judgmentalism

By Fr. Roy Cimagala

Chaplain

Center for Industrial Technology and Enterprise (CITE)

Talamban, Cebu City

Email: roycimagala@gmail.com

CHRIST tells us where we can find that exit from our strong tendency to be judgmental. “Judge not, that you may not be judged, for with what judgment you judge, you shall be judged, and with what measure you meet, it shall be measured to you again.” (Mt 7,1-2)

How should we understand these words? Are we not to make any judgment at all? That’s impossible, since the first step for us to know something is to make a judgment. So, how should we understand these words?

We definitely are meant to judge, but to judge fairly. That point is implied when Christ said, “For with what judgment you judge, you shall be judged. And with what measure you mete, it shall be measured to you again.”

In fact, in the gospel of St. John, we hear Christ saying: “Judge not according to the appearance, but judge just judgment.” (7,24) It’s clear that we have to be most careful in our judgments. We cannot be reckless about them, judging persons and things on the basis of instincts or feelings alone, or on some opinions, personal preferences, social trends, and even sophisticated theories and ideologies.

Given our wounded condition here on earth, we know that we always carry with us certain biases and prejudices, and our judgments somehow are colored by them. We can have our first impressions that definitely bear these biases and prejudices, but we should make the effort to purify them.

We have to judge with Christ himself, and now in the Holy Spirit. With respect to this point, St. Paul had this to say: “He that is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.” (1 Cor 2,15) It is not pride to aspire to that ideal of being so spiritual to be able to judge all things.

Only in this way can we become persons of sound judgment. It’s an ideal whose importance, relevance and urgency are increasing these days, given the complicated conditions we are getting into.

That’s actually an understatement. We know that to be a prudent man or a person of sound judgment is essential to us, considering our nature and dignity, plus the growing scope of the responsibilities we are acquiring nowadays.

Not only do we have to contend with the multiplying pressures and conditionings on our personal, family and professional life. Not only do we have to grapple with the confusing ramifications of our social, economic and political life, sorting them out as best that we could.

With escalating insistence, we need to learn how to integrate the material with the spiritual dimension of our life, the here and now with the eternal and supernatural destiny meant for us.

We have to know how to live by faith, hope and charity, the essence of our supernatural life with God, in the middle of our daily activities and concerns, and in the pursuit of our temporal affairs, be it in business, politics, education, culture, sports, etc.

This necessity demands of us to be nothing less than persons of sound judgment. We have to overcome our tendency to be guided mainly by instincts, emotions, moods, fashions, and some sophisticated philosophies and ideologies that, while offering many good elements, actually lead us away from our proper end.

Let’s never dare to emit judgments that are mere products of our own making. We have to make them always in the presence of God and motivated by nothing other than love for God and for everybody else. We have to continually check on the rectitude of our intention, and the correctness and timeliness of our words and deeds.

A calm and gentle disposition

 

By Fr. Roy Cimagala

Chaplain

Center for Industrial Technology and Enterprise (CITE)

Talamban, Cebu City

roycimagala@gmail.com

WITH the increasingly toxic air we are having these days, due mainly to rabid political influencers who shamelessly force their views on us as if they are the only ones who are correct, we need to strongly remind ourselves that it is all worthwhile to develop a calm and gentle disposition. Many benefits can be drawn from such effort.

For one, it would help us to smoothly handle, if not avoid, stressful situations. It creates an environment that is soothing, calming and relaxing. Indeed, we can expect a more serene and idyllic setting and tone. Nowadays, with increasing cases of people with some mental or psychological issues, it would truly be helpful for us to cultivate a calm and gentle disposition.

Another advantage of this kind of disposition is the fostering of better relationships among ourselves. When we are calm and gentle, people most likely would feel more comfortable around us. Mental reservations, animosities and other hidden forms of critical thoughts would somehow disappear or at least minimized. Charity, compassion, empathy, etc. would be better lived.

Still more, a calm and gentle disposition facilitates clearer thinking and better judgments. It would enable us to consider things under different aspects, broadening our views and moving beyond our unavoidable biases and prejudices. This way, we can manage to get out of our own entrapping world and to have a glimpse, at least, of the world outside.

It also cannot be denied that a calm and gentle disposition can truly improve our health, allowing us to lower our blood pressure and to be less prone to worries and anxieties. It would give us a drive and an energy that is purified and properly directed and pursued.

Definitely, a calm and gentle disposition would make us more resilient, able to adapt properly to the varying conditions of our life. When we are in good times, we can manage to remain humble and avoid being corrupted by vanity and the like. When are in bad times, we can manage to avoid discouragement and depression, and to keep on hoping, always thinking of alternative ways of coping with the situation.

To cultivate this kind of disposition, it would be good if we learn how to practice mindfulness and meditation which are powerful in calming our mind. Prayer, getting in touch with the ever almighty and merciful God would surely be helpful.

Taking regular deep breaths would also help, since these would slow down our heart rate. Doing regular physical exercises would also help in releasing tension and boosting our mood.

Yes, getting enough sleep is truly helpful. It acts as a way of recharging and refreshing ourselves, considering that during the day we would be confronted with all sorts of tasks, challenges and trials. In this regard, we should be careful when we are tempted to cut our sleep because of continual scrolling in social media, a common sad phenomenon these days.

We can manage to develop a calm and gentle disposition if we train ourselves to focus on others, practicing empathy and kindness, thinking well of others in spite of their defects and other shortcomings, letting go of grudges and other negative thoughts. Of course, we should also take breaks and learn to relax, doing things that bring us joy.

But what is most important is to keep our spiritual life, our relation with God and with others healthy and properly nourished. We need to pray, practice some forms of self-denial, avail of the sacraments, wage continual ascetical struggle, developing virtues, etc.

Always be prepared for the worst scenario

 

By Fr. Roy Cimagala

Chaplain

Center for Industrial Technology and Enterprise (CITE)

Talamban, Cebu City

Email: roycimagala@gmail.com

WE can somehow draw this conclusion after reading that gospel episode where Christ asked Peter three times whether he, Peter, truly loved Christ. (cfr. Jn 21,15-19) After Peter assured Christ that he indeed loved Christ, Christ proceeded to describe the manner of death that Peter would have later on.

Indeed, if we truly would identify ourselves with Christ as we should, we should also expect this kind of tragic death for us. It’s not a condemnation but rather an invitation to share the kind of love that God in Christ has for all of us. 

We have to understand that suffering and death would be the greatest manifestation of love we can have for God and for everybody else as articulated earlier when Christ said: “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” (Jn 15,13)

The concrete way of dying may not be like that of Christ nor of Peter, tragic and very bloody. But we should try to develop that kind of attitude towards our death and be prepared for it.

We know that there will be a lot of suffering, trials, challenges, and all kinds of negativities which are an effect not of God’s will and designs but rather of man’s weakness, limitations and even malice. We should learn how to handle these situations by following the example of Christ, if not by identifying and uniting ourselves as intimately as possible with Christ.

If we are truly with Christ, we would know how to take maximum advantage even of our difficulties, problems and all the other negative things that can take place in our life here on earth. These negative things are unavoidable, in fact. We should know how to handle them properly. But it would be a pity if we fail to see the great potentials they have in generating more and greater good.

We should always remember that God takes care of everything. And even from evil, he would know how to derive some good. With him, everything, including our failures and sins, would always work for the good. His wisdom, his omnipotence, his mercy, etc. would take care of all that.

The crucial thing to do is to be with God, which definitely will require some discipline from us. And so, even if especially at the beginning, we would find it hard, if not almost impossible to be with God, we just have to do what we can to achieve that ideal condition for us. In time, and with faith and our unrelenting effort, to be with God is not only achievable, but something that can become a stable state of life for us. Again, let’s remember that we are actually meant for that state of life.

We can be sure that on the part of God, everything is made available, so that whatever difficulty and problem we can have in this life, we would know how to leverage them to our real and lasting advantage, and not just some false and passing advantage.

So, we just have to be ready for the worst scenario in our life and know not only how to deal with our predicaments but also how to derive something good from them. In these instances of the hard predicaments, for example, when we seem to be at a loss as to what to do, we should just see what God does, after we have done all things possible to solve our problems.

Despite the heavy drama of our life

 By Fr. Roy Cimagala

Chaplain

Center for Industrial Technology and Enterprise (CITE)

Talamban, Cebu City

Email: roycimagala@gmail.com

WE should stick firmly to what Christ assured his disciples, and now us. Considering that our life here on earth is often referred to as a “vale of tears,” let’s avoid over-reacting to the heavy drama that we can expect in this life.

Let’s relish these words of our Lord: “In the world you shall have distress: but have confidence, I have overcome the world.” (Jn 16,33) Yes, our life here on earth is actually just transitory. It is a difficult journey toward our definitive destination. But there is always hope of reaching a better place, that is heaven, in the end.

We have to learn to have confidence in God’s loving providence over us by always strengthening our faith and referring everything in our life to him who knows how to derive good from evil.

Our sense of confidence should spring from a faith that gives us the ultimate meaning and proper direction to all our human knowledge and endeavors. It is what gives the original perspective to all events, good or bad, in our life. Otherwise, we would end up confused and lost.

We also need to make our faith grow to cope with the multiplying infranatural consequences of our human condition that is weakened by sin. There’s no other way to manage and survive the consequences of sin, ours and those of others, personal as well as the collective and structural, than by relying first of all on our faith. Without faith, we will find no exit, no relief from this wounded status of ours.

That’s why St. Paul said: “Above all, take the shield of faith, wherewith you shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.” (Eph 6,16) Faith holds pride of place in our armory to wage that lifelong battle with our wounded flesh, the temptations of the world, and the tricks of the devil.

Without faith, we would be easy prey to these enemies of our soul. Without it, we most likely would be filled with fear and anxiety, if not sadness and desperation. Faith unites us to the tremendous power of God over any kind of evil, self-inflicted or caused by others.

There’s no way we can achieve our ultimate goal without faith. With God, we have everything. As St. Teresa de Avila would put it: “Solo Dios basta!” (God alone is enough!)

And so, there’s really no reason to be too worried and anxious when we encounter some difficulty in our life. In fact, we have every reason to be confident and at peace, focused on what we are supposed to do. And that’s because we are always in God’s hands.

Whatever situation we may be in, we can be sure that God will always provide for what is truly needed by us, and it may not be what we want. We just have to trust him completely for he knows better than we do, and what we want may not be what we need. It may not even be what is good for us.

Yes, there will always be challenges, problems, difficulties that humanly speaking may be impossible for us to tackle. But as long as we have trust in God, we can sincerely echo St. Paul’s words: “I can do all things in him who strengthens me.” (Phil 4,13) These words have been verified to be true in the lives of all the saints, especially the martyrs.

It’s important that we be confident and at peace always, because that would put us in the proper condition to do the things we are supposed to do. It will make us bold and courageous, fruitful and productive.

Expect all sorts of troubles in our life

 

By Fr. Roy Cimagala

Chaplain

Center for Industrial Technology and Enterprise (CITE)

Talamban, Cebu City

Email: roycimagala@gmail.com

CHRIST himself had already warned us about this. To his disciples, he once said: “They will put you out of the synagogues. Yes, the hour comes, that whosoever kills you will think that he is doing a service to God.” (Jn 16,2)

In another part of the gospel, he clearly said: “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (Jn 16,33) Yes, Christ is assuring us that we as his believers will inevitably face trials, suffering and difficulties in a broken world, but we should keep our peace and courage since Christ will take care of everything in the end.

Other verses that express the same warning are the following:

“Everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” (2 Tim 3,12)

“We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God.” (Acts 14,22)

We should not anymore make a big issue out of this fact of life. Rather, we should just strengthen our faith in Christ through prayer and the nurturing of the virtues like courage, fortitude, patience, cheerfulness, hope, etc. It would be helpful if we can develop a sporting and fighting spirit in this life.

Yes, we need a sporting spirit because life’s true failure can come only when we choose not to have hope. That happens when our vision and understanding of things is narrow and limited, confined only to the here and now and ignorant of the transcendent reality of the spiritual and supernatural world.

We therefore have to develop a strong spiritual sportsmanship in the tenor expressed in some words of St. Paul: “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it.” (1 Cor 9,24)

Aside from a strong sense of self-discipline and submitting ourselves in a continuing training program, an indispensable ingredient of this healthy sporting spirit is the sense of acceptance and abandonment that we need to deliberately cultivate. This does not come automatically, as if it’s part of our genes. We have to develop them.

We have to be sport and adventurous in facing the different conditions of our life. And it would greatly help if we too can have an abiding sense of humor. Otherwise, we would just easily fall into states of sadness, pessimism and despair which actually are unnecessary but are avoidable.

This we can do if first of all we have a strong and deep faith in God, our Creator and Father. If we have that faith, we know that God holds everything in order through his providence. He takes care of everything, irrespective of how things go. Ours is simply to relate everything to him and to go back to him every time we go astray, especially at the end of the day.

When we have this sporting and adventurous spirit, we, of course, would like to play to win and to get as much enjoyment as possible. We would give our best shot. But we also know that this is not going to happen all the time. There will be times when we lose in a game or when we get lost in our adventure. But regardless of how things go, we can always go back to God as we should, and everything would just be all right.

Thus, whether we win or lose in tackling life’s many challenges and trials, we can still manage to have fun and, more importantly, to learn precious lessons by getting to know more about ourselves and others, about our strengths and weaknesses, about the virtues we need to develop and grow, etc.