Dolan reiterates Tagle’s plea: Renew the family meal!

by Fr. Lito Jopson

CEBU – “May we remember invitation of Cardinal Tagle: to renew the family is to renew the family meal.  One way to renew Church is to restore the utter centrality of the family meal every Sunday.”

So goes New York Archbishop Timothy Dolan's reflection in his topic titled: “The Eucharist and Mary” in the seventh day of the 51st International Eucharistic Congress held in the Pavilion, Cebu City.

He also expressed his affections for the Filipinos and acknowledged their loyalty to the family and passionate Catholic faith in his Archdiocese of New as well as the United States.

“Now I see where all these virtues come from.  We experience the radiance here in Cebu.”

He described the mass as sacrifice, meal, and presence and how Mary animated these.

“The Eucharist is the renewal of the sacrifice on Calvary ... who was there with Jesus? Near the cross was his mother.”

He invited the faithful, “You want to be close to Jesus at the mass? Be close to Mary.”

Regarding the Eucharist as meal, “Mother Mary is always on the table with Jesus and us. As she gave birth to Jesus, she place him at the manger that is a feedbox.  Jesus is intended as bread.”  He then echoed Cardinal Tagle’s plea to renew the family meal.

On the Eucharist as the real presence of Jesus, the Blessed Mary played a huge role in the incarnation of her Son Jesus.

“Who provided a human nature to the Son of God” Behold the handmaid of the Lord: Mary.  In the incarnation, God asked her free consent for the incarnation to happen.”

Cardinal Dolan also acknowledged the priests’ work of converting bread and wine into the body and blood of Christ.

“Priests are close to Jesus.  According to Mother Teresa, they perform the transubstantion of the bread and wine into the body and blood of Jesus in the mass,” explained the Cardinal.

He admonished those who simply receive the body of Jesus with doubtful hearts.

“Be careful: every time people look at the host, they are tempted to snicker to believe that the bread is true body.  Let’s proclaim our Creed: I do believe,” reminded the Cardinal.

Concluding his Catechesis, he declared the Mary is part of the Eucharist.

“She carried within her the very life of the Son of God.  She has the divine in her.  We spiritually have the very life of Christs in us. He lives in us.”  (Reported by Fr. Lito Jopson, CBCP ECSC, TV Maria)

We are called to be a Eucharistic Community – Abp. Lagdameo

CEBU CITY, Jan. 30, 2016 – “The participating seventy three countries of the 51st Eucharistic Congress  have been woven together to show God’s love for one another.”

These are inspiring words of Jaro Archbishop Angel Lagdameo who led the Morning Praise in the seventh day of the Congress held at the Pavilion, Cebu City, Philippines.

“We come together in spite our differences and distinctions.  This gathering is a proof that we are united in and through the Eucharist despite diversity of language, color, and race,” said the Archbishop.

He clarified the relationship of Christians with one another.

“As Christians, we rely on one another, depend on one another, help one another.  The parts of the body rely on one another, we suffer with one another, we rejoice when one part rejoices.  We are together working as a united body.  We engage in acts of love, across, back and forth; we are immersed in God’s mission in showing God’s divine love to all creation,” explained the Archbishop.

Concluding his reflection with the Eucharist, Archbishop Angel prayed for all faithful to be a Eucharistic community.

He said, “Let us pray in the Eucharist broken for us and shared by us, that we may become what Christ desires for us, a Eucharistic community, a tapestry of love.” (Reported by Fr. Lito Jopson, CBCP ECSC, TV Maria)

Light and shadow of the Filipino in diaspora

CEBU CITY, Jan. 29, 2015 – The Filipino may be a victim of poverty, the reason why he/she is migrating to another country for livelihood, but he/she also becomes an evangelizer, transmitting joy and faith.

In a press conference of the 51st International Eucharistic Congress in Cebu City last Jan. 29, 2016, Bishop Mylo Hubert Vergara, Head of the Communication Department of the 51st International Eucharistic Congress said, “How we wish our Filipinos would be here, that jobs would be created, that there is no parental absenteeism, we know the reality.”

Filipinos are found all over the world, in Europe, North America, and the Middle East, but according to the Bishop, in the midst of suffering, their faith sustains them.

“I would look at them given their experience from God’s vision, they are missionaries,” said Bishop Mylo.

Lay sharer in the IEC, Marianne Servaas (seated second from left), noted that in the West, “We have become less human; a lot has to do with joy in life itself.  Filipinos have incredible sense of joy rooted in humility.  Even when things are hard, joy carries us through.”

Marianne also noted that Filipinos can bring change and inspiration to all peoples of the world.

“Filipinos can bring change.  For many Filipinos working in the hospital, you bring joy,” said Marianne.

Bishop Mylo reported in repatriation centers where abused domestic Filipino helpers receive counselling, there are volunteers who help them.

“Those who celebrate mass go there to reach out to them, counsel them, and try to help them in their own little way.  You see mission; you see love,” said the bishop. (Reported by Fr. Lito Jopson, CBCP ECSC, TV Maria)

ANNOUNCE THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST! - ABP. VIDARTE

Fr. Lito Jopson, CBCP ECSC

CEBU CITY, Jan. 25, 2016 – Trujillo Archbishop Miguel Cabrejos Vidarte, O.F.M., in reflecting on the very meaning of “Christ in us, our hope of glory” (Col. 1, 27) underscored the urgency of announcing the Gospel of Christ to all the world till the end of age in the second day of the 51st International Eucharistic Congress held in the Pavilion, Cebu City, Philippines.

“The sufferings of Christ are now complete. In the letter to the Colossians, there is a strong emphasis on the full, complete and actual supremacy of the glorified Christ, who lacks nothing.
However, the apostle (St. Paul) speaks of the need for fulfillment of redemptive sufferings for the Church,” explained the Archbishop.

What is still lacking and needing completion is of living and suffering for the proclamation of the gospel and for the Church.

“Paul suffers for the strength and solidity of the Church, for its steadfastness, for its growth in the knowledge of the treasures manifested by God in His Son. Everything that Paul does and suffers is "for the Church" because it is the body of the Lord, and Paul its deacon,” explained Archbishop Vidarte.

He  underscored the great responsibility for the proclamation of the Word of God:

"It must reach everyone because if not, it has not reached its full realization. It must bear fruit, namely, it should lead to the perfection of every believer in Christ,” the Archbishop said.

The virtue of hope is a requisite in the spreading of the Good News.

“What does it mean to live in hope? “It does not mean it disappeared, but it is already here.”

“It is believing that God is the author of everything.  We must announce the gospel of Christ.  This glory must reach all nations and people.  The glory is the risen Christ, the glory of God,” exhorted the Cardinal.

But evangelization is a long process not proposed to a small group but to all people.

“Evangelism is to make everyone perfect in Christ .... Salvation is for everyone, to all humanity at all times.  He has brought us together as a community, as a people, and not as isolated beings.”

“We are called to a mission ... to charity that proclaims contemplation to action in order to experience the closeness of Christ who said, “I am with you always, until the end of age.” (by Fr. Lito Jopson, CBCP ECSC, TV Maria)

The Eucharist in the Church's Dialogue with Religions

by Fr. Lito Jopson, CBCP ECSC, TV Maria

Cebu City, Jan. 29, 2016 – Quoting Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI in his document Sacramentum Caritatis: “The greater is our love for the Eucharist, the more clearly will we recognize that the goal of all mission is to bring others to Christ.”

The presentation of Mumbai Archbishop Oswald Cardinal Gracias titled “The Eucharist in the Church’s Dialogue with Religions” was read by Shillong Archbishop Dominic Jala in the Catechesis of the 51st International Eucharistic Congress in Cebu City, Philippines.

“The presence of various religions poses enormous challenge to unity.  Hence, one of the essential task of Christianity is to be a witness to the values of the Kingdom of God by proclamation and dialogue,” said the Cardinal.

According to Cardinal Oswald, the jumping board for interreligious dialogue is the reality of food that is common among the religions.  This food translates to that which needs to be shared: the Good News of Jesus Christ.

“The Spirit's presence and activity affect not only the individuals but also societies and history, peoples, cultures and religions,” stressed the Cardinal.

Moreover, the Eucharist, through the death and resurrection of Jesus, otherwise known as the “pascal mystery” fosters reconciliation with people of every religion and culture.

“And as a community of believing persons, we reject every form of selfishness, sectarianism, casteism and individualism and build bridges of communion with every person, association, community, and nation. Our Asian reality is marked with cultural, religious, linguistic and ethnic pluralism. Hence our Eucharistic theology should help us respect these diverse groups and live with them in harmony and peace. It should also urge us to build bonds of solidarity with others,” said the Cardinal.

He explained that the celebration of the Eucharist is an invitation to us to a fuller communion with God and with one another.

Quoting Mane Nobiscum Domine, “The Eucharist is not merely an expression of communion in the Church's life; it is also a project of solidarity for all of humanity.”

He described the Eucharist as an indestructible friendship between God and humanity.

“Just as Jesus gave his body and shed his blood for us, we are invited to break ourselves for others and live for others. Nourished by the body and blood of Christ, we must grow in awareness of the dignity and value of every person."

He also addressed the issue of social justice and the Eucharist.

“Can we ensure that nobody in the community suffers from hunger, malnutrition, poverty? There is enough food in the world to feed everyone. However, the injustice lies in the improper distribution of food. In the words of St. Pope John Paul II "One of the greatest injustices in the contemporary world consists precisely in this: that the ones who possess much are relatively few and those who possess almost nothing are many. It is the injustice of the poor distribution of the goods and services originally intended for all.”

According to the Cardinal, denying people the right to food is a fundamental injustice.

Concluding his talk, there is a need to promote friendship and dialogue with people of other religions.

"They will work together in order to bring about a more just and peaceful society in which the poor will be the first to be served. Asia is the continent where the spiritual is held in high esteem and where the religious sense is deep and innate: the preservation of this precious heritage must be the common task of all". (Reported by Fr. Lito Jopson, CBCP ECSC, TV Maria)

“POVERTY NOT INEVITABLE” - CARDINAL JOHN

by Fr. Lito Jopson

Cebu City, Jan. 29, 2016 – “Poverty is NOT inevitable. Rather, it is due to human failures, like bad distribution of earth’s goods because of injustice and greed.”

These powerful words came from Abuja Archbishop John Cardinal Onaiyekan on the sixth day of 51st International Eucharistic Congress held here in the Pavilion, Cebu City, Philippines.

“God has provided enough resources for the needs of all of us. It is our responsibility that everyone receives his/her own due so that we all might live in dignity.”

He underscored the relevance of the Eucharist as encouragement to the poor to know that God is good and takes care of His own.

“The Eucharist stresses the need for sharing among God’s children starting from those in the church,” said Cardinal John.

However, he does not stress only on the theological aspect of the Eucharist in addressing the needs of the poor.

“There should be action! Do something! Do not say the problem is too much, you cannot feed everybody, or that what we have would not make any difference. Jesus does not want to hear that. And God is challenging us: "Do the little you can with the right spirit and God will do the rest."

Addressing both material and spiritual poverty, Cardinal John pointed out the role of the Church as a sacrament of the presence of God in the world.

“In the question of justice in our world, the church should be where the Eucharist is seen at work. The church should be the sign, a model of how the Eucharist meets the needs of the poor. In our Eucharistic Assembly, the poor must be given their dignity and in our Eucharistic banquet, the concern for the needs of the poor must go beyond the church door into the world out there,” said the Cardinal.

Regarding suffering, he stressed that the whole earthly life of Jesus was certainly not marked by affluence and comfort.

“The good news is that Jesus carrying our burden of suffering gives meaning and purpose to whatever suffering we may be carrying especially for His own sake. It becomes redemptive both for ourselves and for others. As Christians suffer with Christ, they come into union with him. Sharing in his cross, we can hope to share his glory,” explained the Cardinal.

He underscored the need to make the Eucharist available to the poor living in slums or in remote villages.

“What about those who live in prisons and detention camps? Wherever possible, those who are suffering should be able to contemplate the face of Jesus in the Holy Eucharist,” said Cardinal John.

He concluded with words of hope that is reflective of the theme of the 51st Eucharistic Congress, “Christ in us, our hope of glory”.

“That is why the Eucharist becomes the hope of the world today in the midst of all the bad news we are hearing; terrorism and the fear of a world war and the anxieties over climate change and the future of our planet. Jesus gives hope as He offers himself to us in the Holy Eucharist. For this we must remain forever grateful,” concluded Cardinal John. (Fr. Lito Jopson, CBCP ECSC, TV Maria Phils)

STRENGTH IN THE FACE OF WEAKNESS

CEBU CITY, Jan. 29, 2016 – Imus Bishop Reynaldo Evangelista underscored the virtue of strength in weakness in the Morning Praise of the sixth day of the International Eucharistic Congress here in the Pavilion, Cebu, City.

Speaking before the 12,000 delegates, both foreign and local, the Bishop, consoled the terminally ill and those carrying seemingly insurmountable burdens with the message of today's reading.

“In circumstances that we can’t be healed from a particular sickness, as we struggle to seek healing, we would be looking for the strength wherever we can find it. But the thorn in the flesh remains.”

He pointed to Jesus as the source of strength in weakness.

“It is St. Paul’s living experience of the cross that shows how God reveals himself through Christ and how he will save humanity. It is in the poor, the sick, and the rejected the God’s power is seen most clearly ... If only we can humble ourselves, this strength would grow within us as we can do the unimaginable and impossible,” said Bishop Reynaldo. (by Fr. Lito Jopson, CBCP ECSC, TV Maria Phils)

Abp. Soc begs for forgiveness on behalf of bishops and priests

CEBU CITY, Jan. 28, 2016 – CBCP President and Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas led the delegates in the Rite of Reconciliation in the 51st International Eucharistic Congress here in the Pavilion, Cebu City.

Reflecting on the overwhelming mercy of God, Archbishop Villegas said, “It is easier for God to control his anger rather than control his mercy.”

Jesus is the face of the mercy of God and the three reasons why we cannot see heaven here on earth and experience God’s mercy is pride, pride, and pride.

“All sin is pride.  Pride blocks the memory of the heart,” reflected the Archbishop.

As he called on the lay people to reconciliation, he also asked forgiveness on behalf of all bishops and priests.

“Forgive us for our long homilies and rushed liturgies; for allowing us to brighten the glow of materialism and dimmer the glow of the Eucharist; for allowing the Church to age and play deaf to the children and the youth.  Forgive us for being hindrances instead of being helpful. Forgive us, your lost shepherds and beg God to show us His mercy.  Let the shepherd and the flock be merciful to each other,” confessed the Archbishop. (reported by Fr. Lito Jopson, CBCP ECSC, TV Maria)
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Bishop Valles: Grow in the wisdom of God!

Cebu City, Jan. 28, 2016 – Davao Archbishop Romulo Valles led the morning praise of the fifth day of the 51st International Eucharistic Congress here in Cebu and focused on the wisdom of God hidden in the ages but fully revealed to us in Jesus Christ.

Describing this event as "extraordinary" with seventy three countries participating, this is reminiscent of the  biblical image of all peoples and nations coming to the banquet of the Lord and makes the archbishop react like St Peter in the Transfiguration of Jesus, ‘Lord, it is good we are here!’

Archbishop Valles asked for the grace of wisdom of God

“Let us pray to grant grace upon grace as it were to move to embrace more fully the wisdom of the Father experience in the Eucharist of Jesus.

“May St. Thomas, whose feast we celebrate today, guide us, inspire us to thirst and hunger for this wisdom in the Holy Eucharist.  May it grow in our lives, to become Jesus for others, to be tables of mercy and compassion.  May we grow in wisdom like the bread of the Eucharist. In loving service and solidarity, may we become wiser; our lives, in the midst of despair, become beams of hope and sparks of glory.” (Fr. Lito Jopson, CBCP ECSC, TV Maria)

Card. Tagle: Develop a Culture of Sharing

By Fr. Lito Jopson

CEBU CITY, Jan. 28, 2016 – Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle narrated a heart warming and thought-provoking story of a sampaguita vendor in his parish who was a polio victim and whom he admitted in the Washing of the Feet during one Holy Thursday as he gave a Catechesis on the topic “The Eucharist and Dialogue with Cultures” in the 51st International Eucharistic Congress here in the Pavilion, Cebu City, Philippines..

“The girl had to walk on crutches. I kissed her foot, her shriveled foot; it will be forever etched in my memory.”

The Cardinal said he finally understood what Jesus meant when Peter rejected Jesus to wash his feet.  The polio victim with her broken body found her proper place in the Church.

“She is not just a candle vendor; she has entered the community.  The wall of alienation is torn down at the Supper of the Lord.”

The 51st IEC was the third Eucharistic Congress that the Cardinal attended and gave a talk.  Now that it is held in the Philippines, he addressed the foreign delegates with a sincere thanks for bringing the warmth of their countries to the Philippines.

“Cebu has become a warmer place because of the Eucharist; this is climate change at its best.”

He tackled his topic in two parts: first is the culture and dialogue and the second is the attempt to bring the Eucharist in the center of dialogue.

On Culture and Dialogue, Cardinal Chito defined culture as the complex realities of feeling, acting, and thinking which allow all members to survive, to provide identity and give meaning to lives.

“Jesus also dealt with his own culture but he offered a new way of living, thinking, acting, and speaking,” said Cardinal Tagle.

He enumerated stories from the Scripture about Jesus’ new culture, “Jesus said, ‘Let the children come to me.’  He allowed the sinful woman to come close to him.  He touched a person with leprosy.  He opened a new use of space.”

He proposed cultural intelligence to counter the harm comes from disconnectedness and clashes of cultures. There are three parts of cultural intelligence: how we know our culture and how it affects our priorities; and secondly, to study and know the culture of others; and third, to determine the path for the cultures to challenge and purify each other.  The result is beauty of each culture, walking towards the common good.

“The Church need cultural intelligence if it wants to dialogue ... I propose that even in the seminary or training in the formation of religious life, we should be aware to develop cultural intelligence.  We have developed an ecclesiastical culture, but we don’t know how to dialogue.  Dialogue grows with discernment,” explained the Cardinal.

The second part of his talk deals with how to merge cultures and how to dialogue with cultures.  Cardinal Tagle proposed convocation and sharing to counter the situation of alienating individualism affecting persons and countries.

The Cardinal said, “The Eucharist offers an experience of convocation.  You are called with others, You are called to be with others.  And you are called to be with others in a meal that the Lord hosts; and when the Lord hosts a meal, be prepared to be surprised with the guests.”

According to the Cardinal, persons recognize a fellow sinner, a brother, a sister.

“I also see myself. I discover myself, sinful but loved, undeserving but involved, shamed but embraced, lost but found,” said the Cardinal.

“Remember how Jesus broke the isolation and culture of alienating individualism - Matthew, Zaccheus, the sinful woman, the centurion, the Syrophoenician woman, the eternal isolation of the rich man who totally ignored the poor man Lazarus.”

“If our parishes welcome the poor, persons with disabilities, and the despised find a family in our communities, then our individual gifts and talents allow to grow in our communities,” the Cardinal said.

He exhorted everyone not to throw away gifts - husbands, wives, parents, students, teachers, and politicians, religious sisters, bishops, and priests.  These are the gifts of human hands, the gifts of the earth, and the gift of the Eucharistic presence of Jesus.

“On the night Jesus was betrayed, he gave himself as a gift of love. He said, ‘No one takes my life. I lay it down on my own.’  Beware, what you throw away will come back as God’s gift to us,” warned the Cardinal.

He concluded his catechesis with the culture of gift sharing.

“This culture of gift shared will give the Eucharistic community, a credible presence of Christ in the presence of the world a reason to hope.  Christ in us, our hope of glory!” (Fr. Lito Jopson, CBCP ECSC, TV Maria)

Bishop to faithful: Be transformed in Christ!

Photo courtesy of IEC 2016

PAVILION, CEBU CITY - At the second day of the 51st International Eucharist Congress, Jan. 25 2016, Kabankalan Bishop Patricio Buzon led the Morning Pfraise at Feast of the Conversion of St Paul.

He prayed for the transformation of all Christians like St. Paul so they can be effective in proclaiming Christ.

“Like St. Paul, we need to enter into the darkness to encounter Christ.  Let us proclaim our emptiness and let Christ into our lives.”

According to the bishop, only in letting go of our control can Christ work in us.

“Families are reconciled; young people are catechized if we are open and allow the Lord to work.  I realize I am the biggest stumbling block of the Lord.  With my laziness and mediocrity, my heart is full of myself.  No wonder, we cannot fully work.  Jesus can come into our hearts and transform us to himself.  If we surrender ourselves to him, allow Jesus to take root in us.”  (Report by Fr. Lito
Jopson, CBCP ECSC)

EUCHARIST AND THE CELEBRATION OF THE PASCHAL MYSTERY

by Fr. Lito Jopson, CBCP ECSC

PAVILION, CEBU CITY, JAN. 26, 2016 – Auxiliary Bishop of Los Angeles and a sought after Catholic Media Practitioner Bishop Robert Barron called on the Catholic faithful to align their lives on the passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus, more precisely known as “the paschal mystery.”

In his talk titled “The Eucharist: Celebration of the Paschal Mystery” in the third day of the 51st International Eucharistic Congress held in Cebu City, Philippines, Bishop Robert expounded on the topic with the discussion of meal, sacrifice, and real presence.

In the Eucharist as meal, Bishop Barron referred to the story of the apostles on their way to Emmaus and how they recognized Jesus in the breaking of the bread.

“The Mass commences with an acknowledgement that we are lost and in need of a savior; it continues with the liturgy of the word, Christ’s own explication of the Scriptures. Vatican II reminds us that when the Bible is proclaimed and the homily is delivered, it is indeed Christ who is speaking to us and disclosing the great pattern,” explained Bishop Barron.

He added: “How do you recognize Jesus? Precisely in the breaking of the bread, the self-giving of the Son of God.”

He mentioned that when 70 percent of the faithful stay away from the Eucharist, it becomes a spiritual disaster.  He invites all Christians on how it is to be sent on a mission.

“The most sacred words, ‘Go, the mass in ended” means glorify the Lord by your life, words and actions.”

"The purpose of the sacred meal is to send us forth to be missionaries to the nations," reminded the Bishop.

Second, in the Eucharist as sacrifice, Bishop Robert justified sacrifice as a way to correct the sin of Adam and Eve, and eventually, the rest of humanity.

“From the sin of Adam He calls forth a sacred people who were taught to think as God thinks and to worship God aright so their lives will be aligned correctly.  Israel is a priestly people who know how to adore God correctly,” explained the bishop.

He then explained the bloody aspect of sacrifice.  Quoting Matther Levering, the bishop said, “in a world gone wrong, there is no communion without sacrifice.” In a perfect world, in the Garden of Eden before the Fall, there would be no need of bloody or painful sacrifice, since adoration would be effortless. But once we have been bent out of shape through bad praise, orthodoxy will cost. Cultural anthropologists tell us that the attitude of the ancient Israelite presenting a blood sacrifice would be along these lines: “what is happening to this animal by rights should be happening to me.”

At the Last Supper, when Jesus uttered what eventually became the words of consecration, “Jesus is referring to his own blood and commissions his disciples as priests of this new ritual.  And we must not overlook the explicit reference that Jesus makes to Jeremiah 31:31, speaking of the new covenant for the forgiveness of sins. All of the covenants and their accompanying sacrifices will be drawn together and recapitulated in the final covenantal sacrifice of Jesus.”

And third, in the Eucharist as real presence, Bishop Barron referred to John 6 regarding the  multiplication of the bread which symbolizes the power of the Eucharist to gather all the tribes of the Lord.

“There is a theological principle in play here that is of crucial significance, namely, that God has no need vis-à-vis the world that he has made. The Creator of the universe is rightly described as selfsufficient, utterly perfect and happy in himself. Precisely because he stands to gain nothing from the world, whatever is given to him breaks against the rock of the divine self-sufficiency and redounds to the benefit of the giver. From this principle follows as a corollary what St. John Paul II called the law of the gift, namely, that one’s being increases in the measure that one gives oneself away.”

“Precisely because God has no need of these gifts, they come back infinitely multiplied for the benefit of those who made the offering. Through the power of Christ’s word, those gifts become his very body and blood, the only food capable of feeding the deepest hunger of the human heart,” concluded the bishop.

EUCHARIST AND CARE FOR THE EARTH

by Fr. Joselito Jopson, CBCP ECSC

PAVILION, CEBU CITY, Jan. 27, 2016 – "The Eucharist is intimately linked with the responsible care for the earth, our common home."

This is the heart of the speech of the President of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace and Cardinal-priest of San Liborio Peter Cardinal Kodwo Appiah Turkson read to the assembly by Cagayan de Oro Archbishop Antonio Ledesma, S.J. on the fourth day of the 51st International Eucharistic Congress at the Pavilion, Cebu City, Philippines.

According to the Cardinal, considerations for the Eucharist and Ecology starts from believing in the biblical God of the covenant, the God of creation and the God of redemption.

“When the priest takes the bread and wine and places it on the altar at Mass he says: Blessed are you, Lord God of all creation, for through your goodness we have received the bread we offer you: fruit of the earth and work of human hands it will become for us the bread of life… fruit of the vine and work of human hands it will become our spiritual drink,” explained the Cardinal.

Redemption is found in Jesus Christ, who saved not only humankind from sin but also redeemed the earth from impending “ecological disaster”.

Cardinal Peter explained, “Christ’s act of obedience as the new Adam led to his death and resurrection. By redeeming us with his own blood, in effect, Christ took the fear and pain out of suffering and death and by accepting suffering and death led us to a new kind of life in and through the resurrection.”

Redeeming humankind leads to the creation of a community tasked to take care of God’s creation.

“Each community can take from the bounty of the earth whatever it needs for subsistence.  But it also has the duty to protect the earth and to ensure its fruitfulness for coming generations. This is part of the theology that underlies our working with fellow creatures to manufacture bread and wine for the Eucharist,” said Cardinal Peter.

He added: “Simply put, what lies behind the manufacture of the bread and wine for the Eucharist is that they are paschal processes. There is a dying and rising in planting, harvesting, baking or fermenting – all of which comprise the foundation for the celebration of the Paschal mystery in the Eucharist and for our participation in the dying and rising of Christ in and through the Eucharist.”

Cardinal Peter clarified that food distribution and just working conditions for all, especially the poor, find their way into the Eucharist, more particularly, in the offertory.

“The taking and collecting of gifts for the Eucharist always implies the sharing of some of those gifts with the poor and needy. The symbolism of the deacon as one who ministers both at the altar and to the poor outside the liturgy personifies and exemplifies this ritual. To share one’s talents and offerings at the Eucharist reflects one’s talents and generosity to others outside the celebration of the Eucharist.”

“Every time we take bread and wine in the act of doing the Eucharist we articulate the theology of the goodness of creation and our need for food to sustain us as the “pilgrim church on earth” until we are fed at the “Supper of the Lamb.”

Cardinal Peter challenged all Christians to authentically celebrate liturgy and responsibly care for creation.

“Part of the challenge which celebrating sacramental liturgy can offer is to help us reflect back on the world in which we live and to ponder our care for it as well as our concern for those who dwell on it. This means taking seriously our obligation of being in communion with and caregivers for our common home. We are never to presume that we are its masters or that we are its lords. We are fellow companions, responsible to succeeding generations for our care of and for it.”

The Eucharist: Mission and Dialogue

by Fr. Lito Jopson, CBCP ECSC

PAVILION, CEBU CITY - Administrator of Jowai, India, Bishop Thomas Menamparampil, SDB, called on all faithful to mission and dialogue in the fourth day of the 51st International Eucharistic Congress.

According to Bishop Thomas, mission starts with communion as the Eucharist makes the Church.

“Everything at the last supper speaks of closeness, intense sharing, warmth, and depth.  The bondedness that Jesus wishes to create among his disciples could have been expressed in stronger words than these, ‘Remain in me,’ he says, and I will remain in you’,” explained the bishop.

He hopes that Eucharistic Congress will help all people to respond to stay with Jesus in the midst of the challenges of a changing world and a dimming faith.

“His presence makes a difference; it provides the light we need and supplies the strength we lack.  We pray that this is what the Cebu Congress will accomplish for us,” prayed the Bishop.

This communion experienced in the Eucharist leads to mission.

He said, “In and through the Eucharist Jesus draws the whole of human society to himself.  United with him as branches with the vine, believers become capable of going forth and producing fruit in abundance, transforming society.”

Drawing society together itself is a great mission today in a fragmented world, “when people feel pulled apart in all directions by forces beyond their control: ethnic hatred, political anger, collective greed.  In the Eucharist, with the announcement of the Word and the gift of himself, Jesus summons every tribe and tongue and people and nation unto himself,” reflected Bishop Thomas.

The Bishop recommended some courses of action to equip the Christians for the mission.

“We need resolute convictions to remain faithful in this era of persecution on one hand and secularization on the other.”

The Bishop stressed that the self-giving mission of Jesus in the Eucharist continues through the self-giving activity of Christian workers.

“The Eucharist takes Christian hearts by surprise, urging them to hasten to the aid of marginalized groups like migrants, minority communities, and underprivileged. The rich go out to help the poor or get them an employment, scholars reach out to the slums and remote villages to take classes for the illiterate, highly qualified persons spend a weekend giving training to unemployed youth, teaching Catechism, or preaching a retreat,” expounded the Bishop.

The Bishop also called on Christians to dare to confront contemporary problems through dialogue.

“The Bishops of Asia have always emphasized the importance of dialogue with the poor.  Here is a central Christian message: “When you run short of generosity, come close to the poor,” said Bishop.

The Eucharist is sharing, solidarity, and responsibility for the larger society, poorer people.

“The divine sacrament becomes mission and dialogue when it brings healing to emotionally hurt individuals, broken families, and fragmented societies. It revives faith in unmotivated youth and reveals the face of Christ to persons who never had an encounter with him.  It brings industriousness and productivity to factories, creativity and enterprise to management, sincerity and consciousness to administration. It inspires Christian legislators, civil servants and public leaders to make political decisions in behalf of weaker communities and seek the common good at national and international levels,” explained the Bishop.

Bishop Thomas touched on various areas of dialogue: Dialogue with one another, with respecting God’s creation, with cultural and religious traditions, with the millennial civilizations of Asia, with religious traditions, for social transformation, towards peace: healing historic memories, reducing anger, generating good will, and making humble proposals to a secularized society in our times; dialogue in search of truth and beauty, true enlightenment and decisive encounter with God.

Expounding on social transformation, the Bishop said, “Every form of injustice invites a negative response that will ultimately threaten the fabric of social order. Every form of corruption contributes to lack of trust, inefficiency, stagnation, and ultimately economic failure. Indifference to family values and cultural traditions leads a society to a moral collapse.”

“Dialogue must pave the way, correcting imbalances in thought in order to build a responsible ‘civil society’ that will stand for the dignity of the individual, rights of the human person, of women and children, of minorities; ensure the care of the aged and ailing, respect for life, freedom of religion, just legislation and international harmony. God’s glory is the human being fully alive,” said Bishop quoting Iraeneus.

As regards secularization in the world, there are reasons to remain hopeful. “As the sense of sin diminishes in human hearts and confessions fall, society needs persons gifted in dialogue who can revive the sense of values, rebuild the sense of self-worth in shattered individuals, hold out hope to people on the path to despair,” advised the bishop.

His last advice to all is not to be afraid; instead, let our hearts burn as Jesus talks to us and explains the scriptures and breaks bread with us. “When that happens, we know that Christ’s ‘little flock’ (Lk 12:32) in Asia has taken on its Mission, and that the Eucharist is Mission and Mission is Dialogue. It is this Dialogue that opens out the doors of the Kingdom to reveal the face of Christ to the whole of   humanity.” (
Fr. Joselito Jopson, CBCP ECSC)

BISHOP GARCERA: Let us come naked before God

by Fr, Lito Jopson, CBCP ECSC

CEBU CITY, Jan. 27, 16 –  Daet Bishop Gilbert Garcera reflected on man’s nakedness before God in the  morning prayer of the fourth day of the 51st International Eucharistic Congress here in the Pavilion, Cebu City.

According to the bishop, the Book of Job sets the tone of who humanity is before God.

“Who we are and what we are are gifts from the Lord.  In Job, we realize who we are in front of a compassionate Father. Job leads us to Jesus.  It is about Jesus the righteous man who suffers and is vindicated by the Father.”

Bishop Garcera called on all Catholics in all humility and nakedness before God to admit the many sins committed against Him.

“We are sorry for the all pastoral efforts without reference to Jeuss.  We ask for forgiveness for our negligence to the poor.  We haven’t taken cared of mother earth.  We tend to be unwelcoming in our communities,” confessed Bishop Garcera.

Finally, he hopes that the Eucharistic Congress will help discover the power of God and the transforming effect of the Eucharist.

“We proclaim the hope of glory, with the sense of unworthiness because of our sins.” (by Fr. Lito Jopson, CBCP ECSC)

Msgr. Kayondo: Bring people to Christ!

CEBU CITY – Vicar General of the Diocese of Lugazi, Msgr. Richard Kayondo led the morning praise of the third day of the 51st International Eucharistic Congress here in the Pavilion, Cebu City.

“It is our mission to bring the people to Christ like a star.  We can manifest the presence of Christ by our way of life; Christ needs to be understood.”

He added: “Unless our people have adequate experience of the presence of Christ, unless people see Christ in us, Christ will just remain a big idea for them.”

He concludes: “Through this Eucharistic Congress, may we be empowered more and more to live a life of Christ so we can be witnesses, the star that bring many people to Christ, Amen.” (Fr. Lito Jopson, CBCP ECSC)

Cardinal Bo: Eucharist calls for WW III against poverty

By Fr. Joselito Jopson, CBCP ECSC

photo courtesy of cbcp news

CEBU CITY, Jan. 24, 2016  – “The Eucharist calls for a Third World War against poverty” is the resounding call of the Papal Legate to the opening mass of the 51st International Eucharistic Congress at Plaza Independencia, Cebu City.  

In the Eucharistic Celebration, Cebu Archbishop and President of the 51st IEC Jose Palma formally welcomed the Papal Legate, Yangon Archbishop, Charles Cardinal Maung Bo, SDB, DD.  He explained to the Cardinal his concern regarding dichotomy between faith and life.

“We want to bridge the dichotomy so that hope might be manifest in Jesus.  Those who partake may become one body in dialogue with cultures, with the marginalized and the youth,” Archbishop Palma reported.

Pope Francis presented a gift to the Filipino people on the occasion of the 51st IEC: The Gospel Book bearing the logo of the Jubilee Year of Mercy.

Cardinal Bo, on behalf of the Holy Father Pope Francis expressed his gratefulness and humility as the Pope’s representative. He also expressed his affections for the Filipino people.

“You’re the biggest Catholic country in Asia... your light has shown in every part of the world, on air, in land, and on sea,” quipped the Papal legate.

Presence and mission, the poor and unity are the themes presented by the Cardinal in his homily.

“In a world that continues to have millions of poor, Eucharist is a major challenge to the whole humanity. Can we feel the presence of God in our brothers and sisters?” asked Cardinal Bo.

He explained the revolutionary aspect of the Eucharist.  He said that the Eucharist and the poor are inseparable.

“We break bread in an unjust world where children die of malnutrition.  This is silent genocide, a child dying of starvation.  The Eucharist and the poor are inseparable.  To eat the body of Christ means not to ignore when he is naked.  The love of the Eucharist means to love the poor.”

The papal legate invites the faithful to enter into a Third World War: a war against poverty and injustice.

“Eucharist calls for a third world war, a third world war against poverty. A third world war against the cruelty of dogs fed with sumptuous organic food while poor children scramble for crumbs from the table, a third world war against a world that produces more weapons whilst more than half a billion do not get enough food every day,” challenged Cardinal Bo.

This country’s urgent task is to fulfil the prophecy.

“This biggest Catholic country in Asia needs to declare a war that fights for thousands who are still in poverty and forces them to unsafe migration. The economic injustice and the environmental injustice penetrated with impunity in this country and elsewhere make our Eucharistic celebrations vulnerable to prophetic attacks.”

Finally, papal legate calls on all people to shift from Eucharistic celebration to Eucharistic commitment.

“This Eucharistic Congress, held in this great city and a great country, make us move from Eucharistic celebration to Eucharistic commitment in promoting the Eucharist as a mission, the Eucharist as the bread of justice to the poor, the Eucharist as the bread of peace in conflict areas.  God bless you.  Maraming salamat!”

Bishop Mylo: 51st IEC is a spill over of the Papal Visit

photo courtesy of IEC2016SocialMedia

By Fr. Joselito Jopson

PAVILION, CEBU CITY, Jan. 24, 2016 – The Communications Team for the 51st International Eucharistic Congress briefed the members of Media covering the International event scheduled to open with a Holy Mass at the Plaza Independencia at 4 o’clock in the afternoon.

Head of the Communication Team Bishop Mylo Vergara recalled the first IEC in the Philippines held last 1937.

“It was in 1937 that the International Eucharistic Congress first happened.  A highlight of this event was that His Eminence Cardinal Ricardo Vidal received his first communion.”

The bishop explained the theme of the 51st IEC, “Christ in us, our Hope of Glory.”

Bishop Mylo said, “The theme focuses on hope and mission.  The Eucharist’s goal is mission. We are going to hear many issues about the Eucharist and the place of mission given our own Catholic identity.”

As of last Wednesday Jan. 20, Secretary General of the IEC Bishop Dennis Villarojo reported that there are 12,000 delegates representing 72 countries already registered with 800 media persons covering this event.

According to the local Police Superintendent, Gen. Manny Gaerlan, security has been provided by the government and local government of Cebu composed of the police and the army.  “We have deployed security forces as well as medical teams in the areas covering the events.”

Bishop Mylo acknowledged the IEC as a spill over of the Pope Francis’ visit to the Philippines held more than a year ago today.

“Let us expect that announcements will be made, whether it be a live or taped feed, regarding the message of the Holy Father.  Let us be surprised by Pope Francis who will speak to us,” Bishop Mylo explained.

For the opening mass, the organizers are anticipating that the whole place will be crowded.

Gen. Gaerlan appealed to the people to come early for the masses on the first and last days.

"There are security checks.  We are expecting one million on the final day and we need at least four hours for inspection.  Please go there earlier than an hour so we will not clog up the inspection rows,” instructed Gen. Gaerlan.

Bishop Vergara also oriented the public about the Papal Legate, Archbishop of Yangon, His Eminence, Charles Cardinal Bo.

“He is down to earth.  Expect an Asian bishop who will be one with us.  He will truly be the representative of the Pope,” said Bishop Mylo.

Central committee member Fr. Mike Garcia, SSS justified the choice of Cebu as the venue for the 51st International Eucharistic Congress.

“Cebu is the center of evangelization.  Cebu is part of the nine-year preparation of the Philippine Catholic Church to celebrate five hundred years of evangelization in the Philippines,” explained Fr. Mike.

Bishop Mylo concluded the presscon with the acronym HOPE: “H- let this be a happy congress; O – let it be an overwhelming experience of God’s love; P – let it be a personal counter with Jesus; and E – let it be an experience of renewal.” /CBCPECSC