“Christ in You, Our Hope of Glory”

The Eucharist: source and goal of the Church’s mission

Theological and pastoral reflections in preparation for the 51st International Eucharistic Congress Cebu, Philippines, 24–31 January 2016

Impact on the life of the church

“Christ in You, the Hope of Glory. The Eucharist, Source and Goal of the Mission” is the great theme of the 51st IEC in Cebu. Proceeding from the Letter of St. Paul to the Colossians (1:24-29), the theme is meant to bring to fuller light the bond among the Eucharist, Mission, and Christian Hope, both in time and eternity. Today, there is a shortage of hope in the world as perhaps never before in history. Thus humankind needs to hear the message of our hope in Christ Jesus. The Church must proclaim this message today with renewed ardor, utilizing new methods and expressions. 4 With these features of a “new evangelization” the Church must seek to bring this message of hope to all, but especially to those “who, though baptized, have drifted away from the Church and live without reference to the Christian life.” 5 The 51st IEC is envisioned to provide the participants opportunities for experiencing and understanding the Eucharist as a transforming encounter with the Lord in his word and in his life-giving sacrifice of himself—that we may have life and have it to the full (cf. Jn 10:10). It is intended to be an occasion for the discovery and rediscovery of the faith — “that source of grace which brings joy and hope to personal, family and social life.” 6 This international gathering holds the promise of generating a more courageous and decisive carrying out of the Christian mission in the world and the society that are becoming more and more indifferent and hostile to the faith and to the values of the Gospel. This encounter with Christ in the Eucharist can be source of hope for the world when, transformed through the power of the Holy Spirit into the likeness of Him whom we encounter, we set out on a mission to transform the world with our zeal to bring to those who need most the same acceptance, forgiveness, healing, love, and wholeness that we ourselves received and experienced.

On IEC Expectations

Here are some expectations of the Davao delegates and those attending in their personal capacity to the the IEC 2016 in Cebu City.

DCH: Unsay imong gitinguha nga makab-ot sa pagtambong sa IEC?

CIPRIANO GENOSAS, JR. (PSL Coordinator, Archdiocesan Liturgical Center): “Mahimamat nako ang Ginoo diha sa presensiya sa Yukaristiya ug sa mga tawo nga akong kauban usa mailaila ilabina sa mga langyaw’ng delegado; makakat-on sa mga catechesis ug testimonya nga ihatag sa mga tawong eksperto; madungagan ang kahibalo sa Liturhiya ilabina sa Yukaristiya; mapaambit nako kini ngadto sa akong isigka-pangulo.”

MRS. SORLINDA LOZADA (San Pedro Cathedral): “Aron madungagan nako ang pagsabot ug paghigugma mahitungod sa Yukaristiya pinaagi sa kahibalo ug kasinatian sa mga instrument nga gipadala sa Ginoo sa IEC, ug sa ingon niana makusganon akong ipaambit si Kristo pinaagi sa Yukaristiya diha sa katawhan.”

SR. MARISSA ARADO, TDM (Archdiocesan Social Action Center): “(Isip usa ka personal nga delegado, alang sa akong) spiritual aspect, mas mapalambo ug mapalawman ang akong pagtoo as a religious since ang Eucharist ang centro sa atong pagtoo.”

BRO. MONICO GALLEROS (Sto. Rosario Parish): “Tinguha ko nga motubo ko sa kaalam mahitungod sa unsay misteryo sa Santos nga Yukaristiya ug usab makapaambit sa akong kauban nga lay minister ug sa tibuok nga lideres sa simbahan ug puy-an nato ang nakutlo sa congress sa atong kinabuhi.”