You, We, are Eucharist

The Eucharist is exposed for adoration at the 51st International Eucharistic Congress. The next one will take place in 2020 in Budapest, Hungary. (Vatican Radio)

“YOU, WE, ARE EUCHARIST…
blessed, broken, to be shared with family and others,” Fr. James Lee said during my confession on the opening day of the International Eucharistic Congress in Plaza Independencia in Cebu.

More than a month since, the holy Presence of JESUS in the consecrated bread and wine in every Holy Mass never fails to enkindle that blessed week’s encounter with JESUS and with all the JESUS-lovers.

Cebu and its people were at their best.

So were the speakers and mass celebrants…

In the second half of the week, all the speakers brought home the centrality of the Eucharist to our Catholic faith:

• that our eucharistic culture is “a convocation” where one is “called to be with others in a meal, in a common table,” and one sees oneself “in each other — undeserving, but invited” (His Eminence Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle, DD);
• that the Church gives the Eucharist not just as a sharing in the poverty of “JESUS WHO was poor from manger to calvary, but Eucharist also as refuge, hiding place, the mystery of the charity of GOD” (His Eminence John Cardinal Onaiyekan, DD);
• that JESUS allowed HIMSELF to be vulnerable in the Blessed Eucharist to bless us, and so must we, for in our “vulnerability, GOD manifests HIMSELF” (His Most Rev. Reynaldo Evangelista, DD);
• that to receive JESUS worthily in holy communion, Catholics need not fear to go to confession, “for anything that GOD has touched does not remain dirty, but beautiful” (Most Rev. Socrates Villegas, DD);
• that all are sinners therefore, “beloved brother and sister sinners, forgive us your clergy and priests, your lost shepherds” (His Eminence Peter Cardinal Erdo, DD);
• that all participants worldwide are “woven together, differently gifted, yet one in the Eucharist” (Rev. Fr. Angel Lagdameo, DD);
• that our Church draws its life from the Eucharist, essentially a real eucharistic missionary Church (His Eminence Oswald Cardinal Gracias, DD);
• that “if we want to be close to JESUS in every mass, be close to Mary Who stood by the wood of the crib and beneath the wood of the Cross. The Filipinos have a strong devotion to JESUS in the Eucharist, and have the real Catholic mark — beholding the divine JESUS in the womb of Mary,” truly the “Pueblo de amante de Maria” (His Eminence Timothy Cardinal Dolan, DD);
• that “believing in the Eucharist, I believe in the goodness of people which brings the best in people. I am old but I am happy” (His Eminence Ricardo Vidal);
• that “the Church is a gift given to us, constructed by the Eucharist; there is no Church without the Eucharist; Christianity is all about the Eucharist; JESUS is our COMPANION, with us in our journey through the Eucharist” (Most Rev. Diarmuld Martin, DD).

…and sharers

• that “GOD allowed the tsunami in Japan to break down walls of indifference and made each one an instrument to spread GOD’s kingdom” (Mr. Kei-ichi Sugawara, survivor);
• that her Catholic faith has taught her that no pain or deprivation is bigger than her GOD (Ms. Ma. Georgia Cogtas);
• that “born Buddhist, converted to Catholicism, was falsely accused, I had GOD so what do I need a lawyer for; forgive. Life is not perfect, but life is beautiful because of the boundless love of GOD (Ms. Sarindhorn Mativachranon).
• Man’s “eucharistic response is our gift of presence,” as part of the clergy and lay who come from 72 countries worldwide, leading all to echo Peter’s declaration in the transfiguration scene “LORD, it is good for us to be here (Mat. 17:4).” (Most Rev. Romulo Valles, DD).

News and the attendees are not agreed on the exact number of participants. But what is important is the fact that JESUS, our EMMANUEL, GOD with us, was in each of us who attended the wealth of concelebrated masses in the 51st International Eucharistic Congress in Cebu from January 24-31, 2016.

To GOD be all glory forever! (Bella A. Sarenas)