JESUS AND THE YOUNG MAN

Sunday, January 27, 2008
JESUS AND THE YOUNG MAN

Mr. Franz Luigi Lugena, our guest, Ms. Tess de Ramon & Fr. Abe, CRS
THE SPLENDOR OF THE CHURCH TV program is scheduled live every Saturday from 12:00nn-2:00pm. Last Saturday [January 26, 2007], however, we decided to postpone the program for the next day due to the scheduled brown-out announced by SORECO II, the electric company in Sorsogon. The brown-out started at 7:00am and lasted until 5:00pm.
We could have taped the program but we were advised to wait for the following day because people are looking forward to it. So, our hardworking technical staff packed things up for the next day. And when the electric current resumed we posted on the screen that the anticipated program was rescheduled for January 27, 2008 at 12:00-2:00pm.

Finally, yesterday [January 27, 2008] the program pushed through as planned. It was entitled JESUS AND THE YOUNG MAN for the reason that the episode we prepared is to have a young man - Mr. Franz Luigi Lugena - to serve as our guest. So, instead of having a particular doctrinal topic or issue to discuss we have a sort of interview type segment whose focus was not just the personality of the guest but also:

1. His journey of faith,

2. His relationship with the Lord,

3. How he developed strong love for the Catholic Church,

4. How he got to know The Splendor of the Church TV program,

5. Why is he convinced of the certitude of the Catholic Faith,

6. What are the reasons why he is training himself to be a Catholic apologist, and

7. What are the factors that motivated him to join The Splendor of the Church.

The program was vibrantly hosted by Maam Tess de Ramon while my presence contributed only in giving some reactions to the statement of our guest. The interview and the discussions went smoothly well even though we didn't rehearse and except the general outline we didn't have a script to follow -- something that is common to all our earlier presentations.
It was Franz' first ever TV appearance although he is used to public speaking being a High School Valedictorian in Annunciation College of Sorsogon and champion of numerous academic competitions in both provincial and regional levels during his student's days.
During the program proper Ate Tess, being the woman that she is, immediately noticed that Franz is very telegenic. He looks so dignified without loosing his aura of being a 22 year old young man in his dark blue jeans with a formal polo on top. He immediately became at ease on camera and without being bombastic as common to aspiring apologists he was calm, serene, articulate and indeed very intelligent. I was thinking beforehand that his knowledge of the Sacred Scripture is amateur at best due to his age and lack of proper theological training but I found myself mistaken again because he was knowledgeable of the Sacred Scriptures. Being gifted with Engineering skills and proficiency in mathematical formulae the guy was quoting the Bible, chapters and verses included, with proficiency. Much more, he was not quoting out of context. He has a clear grasp of the issues involved in those text passages. Take note, the Bible he is fond of using is THE JERUSALEM BIBLE but he is also armed with the King James Version of the Protestants.
Right there and then, while Franz was speaking I was shouting inside my head: I HAVE FOUND GOLD OF GREAT PRICE! I'VE GOT A BRAND NEW CATHOLIC APOLOGIST -- AND A VERY YOUNG AND INTELLIGENT FOR THAT! This is a rare find. And I bow my head to the Almighty God -- THE SPIRIT OF WISDOM AND OF LOVE -- for giving us such a wonderful gift to the Church and the people of Sorsogon.

The young man narrated how as a teenager he too was superficial in living his faith. Like most of the boys his age he was not faithful to his Catholic obligations of worshipping the Lord and praying to Him. Although he was considered a 'good' boy in the society faith in the Lord was not his priority.

During his college days he got involved in a Catholic group active in Legazpi City area particularly in the Cathedral of San Carlo Magno Church in Albay.. They were guided by a very good priest who taught them catechesis and basic knowledge of the Word of God focused on Redemption brought by our Lord Jesus Christ.

After realizing the great love of God and His gift of Redemption Franz realized that he has been saved by Christ through a great price, i.e., His own Blood. His eyes were opened to the fact that God had showered him with so many blessings: life, family, studies, achievements, etc. yet he was ungrateful to the God who had loved him so much. Reflecting on this moved him to tears and from that day on he became active in worship through the Sacrifice of the Mass and dedicated a special time in knowing the Person and Teaching of the Lord Jesus in the Sacred Scriptures.

Then, almost at the same time he discovered THE SPLENDOR OF THE CHURCH on AITV5. He witnessed the infancy period of the program right when Fr. Abe was still alone doing it. Franz remembered his earlier days when he was still an inactive Catholic. He used to watch various religious programs on TV such as that of the Iglesia ni Cristo and Ang Dating Daan. He thought then that these tele-evangelists and preachers must be speaking the truth because they were backing their teachings and attacks against the Catholic Church with Scriptural verses. Then, seeing Fr. Abe he was very much surprised to have discovered that a Catholic priest is speaking on TV and explaining the Biblical foundation of each doctrine. One by one he was answering the attacks using logic and Sacred Scriptures and was throwing questions for others to answer to.
Franz was attracted by the program's openness to ideas because televiewers are open to send in questions and opinions and the program appeared not heavily scripted and not antagonistic in nature. After, comparing the various religious programs he was convinced of the validity of the Catholic faith, its solid historical record, its apostolic origin and its logicity. He was also touched by Fr. Abe's determination to preach all by himself, his sincerity and his charitable manner of refuting the attacks against the Holy Mother Church.

This is Ms. Anna Marie Llagas, one of our AITV5 newscaster, inside the control room

At the final phase of the program, Franz explained that Fr. Abe and the program inspired him to study more the faith. He became eager to know more so that he too can explain Catholic doctrines and be able to defend it against the proselytizing sects.

Since he is gifted with a personal computer with internet connection he decided to check Fr. Abe's Blog and other Catholic apologetic sites especially that of Steve Ray and the Catholic Answers. The latter gave him the list of practical things to do in order to be a full pledge Catholic apologist and he followed it wholeheartedly. These studies and personal training empowered him to refute Sola Scriptura and the major doctrinal tenets of the Iglesia ni Cristo, Ang Dating Daan and others.

Thus, when finally Franz felt the hand of God calling him to be involved in the program itself he decided to answer affirmatively to the summon of the Lord.

N.B. I hereby announced that from now on, Bro. Franz Luigi Lugena shall be officially part of The Splendor of the Church TV program. The program then expands once again with the following member:

1. Fr. Abe Arganiosa, CRS [Host-Apologist]

2. Prof. Elmer Valenzuela [Senior Co-host 1]

3. Ms. Teresa de Ramon [Senior Co-host 2]

4. Ms. Estelita Basares [Junior Co-host 1]

5. Mr. John P. Estadula [Junior Co-host 2]

6. Mr. Angeles Apin [Staff Apologist]

7. Mr. Franz Luigi Lugena [Resource Apologist]

from   ====    http://thesplendorofthechurch.blogspot.com/