1 CBCP Pastoral Exhortation for the Jubilee of Mercy and Renewed Catechesis in the spirit of PCP II and the New Evangelization In this forthcoming year of renewal dedicated to mercy, the Eucharist and the family, under the light of PCP II, how shall we as a people respond? For our gathering let me rephrase the question: In this year of renewal dedicated to mercy, in the Year of the Eucharist and the Family, on the 25 th year of PCP II, how shall we ministers in catechesis respond as we take the path toward the New Evangelization? Let us draw our immediate answer from the pastoral letter: As your brothers and pastors in the faith, our answer is “If we want renewal, let us learn how to kneel again.” Our generation seems to have lost the religious gesture of kneeling; we have become more a clapping generation. We seem to have compromised the virtue of humility with a culture of self-security and independence. Our throw-away consumerist culture can hardly imagine kneeling down before one another, like the Lord who washed the feet of His beloved ones. If we are to restore a contemplative view of creation as Pope Francis invites us, we must learn to kneel again by the feet of the Lord and be caught in awe at the wonder of His tenderness and mercy. Kneeling is a very important gesture in our Christian culture that we must regain and safeguard. Origen said kneeling is necessary if we want to admit our sins before God and seek His mercy. Kneeling symbolizes someone who has fallen but trusts in the loving mercy of God. When our bodies fail to move with the prayer dispositions of the heart; when we lose the importance of kneeling and bowing, our prayer can become dry and even boring. Praying with the body by kneeling or bowing or raising our hands can ignite the dying embers of our spiritual lives. If we want renewal, let us learn to kneel again in body, in heart and attitude. (Thus) Begging for mercy, we kneel in repentance. Adoring the Eucharist, we kneel down and worship. With humble service, we kneel in the family and wash one another’s feet. If we dream of renewal, let us kneel again in repentance, in adoration and in service (of the family).
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CBCPPastoralExhortationfortheJubileeofMercyandRenewedCatechesisinthespiritofPCPIIandtheNewEvangelizationInthisforthcomingyearofrenewaldedicatedtomercy,theEucharistandthefamily,underthelightofPCPII,howshallweasapeoplerespond?Forourgatheringletmerephrasethequestion:Inthisyearofrenewaldedicatedtomercy,intheYearoftheEucharistandtheFamily,onthe25thyearofPCPII,howshallweministersincatechesisrespondaswetakethepathtowardtheNewEvangelization?Letusdrawourimmediateanswerfromthepastoralletter:
Asyourbrothersandpastorsinthefaith,ouransweris“Ifwewantrenewal,letuslearnhowtokneelagain.”Ourgenerationseemstohavelostthereligiousgestureofkneeling;wehavebecomemoreaclappinggeneration.Weseemtohavecompromisedthevirtueofhumilitywithacultureofself-securityandindependence.Ourthrow-awayconsumeristculturecanhardlyimaginekneelingdownbeforeoneanother,liketheLordwhowashedthefeetofHisbelovedones.IfwearetorestoreacontemplativeviewofcreationasPopeFrancisinvitesus,wemustlearntokneelagainbythefeetoftheLordandbecaughtinaweatthewonderofHistendernessandmercy.
KneelingisaveryimportantgestureinourChristianculturethatwemustregainandsafeguard.OrigensaidkneelingisnecessaryifwewanttoadmitoursinsbeforeGodandseekHismercy.KneelingsymbolizessomeonewhohasfallenbuttrustsinthelovingmercyofGod.
Whenourbodiesfailtomovewiththeprayerdispositionsoftheheart;whenwelosetheimportanceofkneelingandbowing,ourprayercanbecomedryandevenboring.Prayingwiththebodybykneelingorbowingorraisingourhandscanignitethedyingembersofourspirituallives.
Ifwewantrenewal,letuslearntokneelagaininbody,inheartandattitude.
(Thus)
Beggingformercy,wekneelinrepentance.AdoringtheEucharist,wekneeldownandworship.Withhumbleservice,wekneelinthefamilyandwashoneanother’sfeet.
Ifwedreamofrenewal,letuskneelagaininrepentance,inadorationandinservice(ofthefamily).
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PlacingtheinvitationtokneelinthecontextofrenewingtheministryofcatechesisinthelightoftheYearoftheJubileeofMercy,theYearoftheEucharistandtheFamilyandinthe25thYearofPCPIIleadsustothreethemesforourreflection:
1.BeforetheFather’sMercifulGaze,letuskneelandapproachtheSacramentofReconciliation2.InAdorationofJesus,theFaceofGod’smercy,letuskneelbeforeSacramentoftheEucharist3.LetuskneelinHumbleServicetoandintheFamilythroughaseriousandprayerfulreflectionontheSacramentofHolyMatrimonyandtheChristianFamilyguidedbyPopeFrancis’AmorisLaetitia(TheJoyofLove)
1.BeforetheFather’sMercifulGazeletuskneelandapproachtheSacramentofReconciliationWereadfromthePastoralLetter:
Wecannotcelebratemercywithoutrepentance.CelebratingtheJubileeofMercy,wearealsoinvitedtokneeldowninhumilityandrepentanceespeciallyinthesacramentofreconciliationwherewekneeldowntoconfessoursinsandreceivepardon.
AndfromPopeFrancis’MisericordiaeVultus,weread:
Mercy:thewordrevealstheverymysteryoftheMostHolyTrinity.Mercy:theultimateandsupremeactbywhichGodcomestomeetus.Mercy:thefundamentallawthatdwellsintheheartofeverypersonwholookssincerelyintotheeyesofhisbrothersandsistersonthepathoflife.Mercy:thebridgethatconnectsGodandman,openingourheartstothehopeofbeinglovedforeverdespiteoursinfulness(MV#2).
ThesethoughtsinviteustogivespecialattentiontotheSacramentofReconciliationintheministryofcatechesis.1.1.God’smercyistobehighlightedincatechesisandcelebrationoftheSacramentofReconciliation.Onhindsight,theSynodontheNewEvangelizationin2012proposedtheSacramentofPenanceastheSacramentoftheNewEvangelizationinitsFinalListofPropositions.Proposition33:THESACRAMENTOFPENANCEANDTHENEWEVANGELIZATIONstates:
TheSacramentofPenanceandReconciliationistheprivilegedplacetoreceiveGod’smercyandforgiveness.Itisaplaceforbothpersonalandcommunalhealing.Inthissacrament,allthebaptizedhaveanewsandpersonalencounterwithJesusChrist,aswellasanewencounterwiththeChurch,facilitationafullreconciliationthroughtheforgivenessofsins.Here
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thepenitentencountersJesus,andatthesametimeheorsheexperiencesadeeperappreciationofhimselforherself.TheSynodFathersaskthatthissacramentbeputagainatthecenterofthepastoralactivityoftheChurch.
Ineverydiocese,atleastoneplaceshouldbeespeciallydedicatedinapermanentwayforthecelebrationofthissacrament,wherepriestsarealwayspresent,allowingGod’smercytobeexperiencedbyallthefaithful.Thesacramentshouldbeespeciallyavailable,evenonadailybasis,atplacesofpilgrimageandspeciallydesignatedchurches.Fidelitytothespecificnormswhichruletheadministrationofthissacramentisnecessary.EverypriestshouldconsidertheSacramentofPenanceanessentialpartofhisministryandoftheNewEvangelization,andineveryparishcommunityasuitabletimeshouldbesetapartforhearingconfessions.1
TheSynodFathersgavetheirofficialstamponProposition33instatingintheirmessage,no.3:
TheChurchisthespaceofferedbyChristinhistorywherewecanencounterhim,becauseheentrustedtoherhisWord,theBaptismthatmakesusGod’schildren,hisBodyandBlood,thegraceofforgivenessofsinsaboveallinthesacramentofReconciliation(italicsmine)….2
ItcanbesurmisedherethatPopeFrancisindeclaringtheJubileeYearofMercytookseriouslytheSynod’sproposition.
Inthepresentday,astheChurchischargedwiththetaskofthenewevangelization,thethemeofmercyneedstobeproposedagainandagainwithnewenthusiasmandrenewedpastoralaction.(MV12)
WerecallthatlastMarch4and5(FridayandSaturdayprecedingtheFourthWeekofLent)PopeFrancisinvitedallchurchestohold24HoursfortheLordwhentheSacramentofReconciliationwouldbeavailablealldayforthefaithful.ThispastoralserviceisaninitiativetohighlightGod’smercyinthisSacrament.HewroteinMV:
Somanypeople,includingyoungpeople,arereturningtotheSacramentofReconciliation;throughthisexperiencetheyarerediscoveringapathbacktotheLord,livingamomentofintenseprayerandfindingmeaningintheirlives.LetusplacetheSacramentofReconciliationatthecentreoncemoreinsuchawaythatitwillenablepeopletotouchthegrandeurofGod’smercywiththeirownhands.Foreverypenitent,itwillbeasourceoftrueinteriorpeace.(MV17)
1FromtheListofPropositions2From the Message of the Synod Fathers on the New Evangelization for the Transmission of the Christian Faith (October 2012)
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Inasimilarvein,wecansaythatwewhoareinvolvedinfaithformationareaskedtoleadthecatechizedinunderstandingandappreciatingtheSacramentofmercyastheUSSCBcallsit.
WhilealltheSacramentsbringusanexperienceofthemercythatcomesfromChrist'sdyingandrising,itistheSacramentofReconciliationthatistheuniqueSacramentofmercy.3
InhighlightingthissacramentinourcatecheticalprogramthenormativepointofreferenceforcatecheticsfortheSacramentofPenanceandReconciliationistheRiteofPenance.4AllowmetoofferthefollowingsuggestionstakenfirstfromourownCatechismforFilipinoCatholics(CFC):
1773.ManypoorlycatechizedFilipinoCatholicsarestillplaguedbyfears,superstitioustaboos,andirrationalguiltfeelings,basedonanun-ChristianviewofavengefulGod.
1774.(Thereistheurgentneedforcatechesistohighlight)theChristianimageoftheTriuneGod(as)clearlypresentedinthenewRiteofPenance.TheultimatepurposeofthesacramentisthatweshouldloveGoddeeplyandcommitourselvescompletelytoHim:totheFatherwho‘firstlovedus”(1Jn4:19),toChristwhogavehimselfupforus(cf.Gal2:20;Eph5:25),andtotheHolySpiritwhohasbeenpouredoutonusabundantly”(cf.Ti3:6;RP5).
ThisisconfirmedintheNationalDirectoryforCatechesis,bytheUSCCB:
DiocesesandparishesshouldpresentcatechesisfortheSacramentofPenanceandReconciliationthathighlightsthefollowing,amongothers:
• theactionofGodinthesacrament,namelyGod'sdesireforalltobereconciledwithHim,toliveincommunionwithHim,andGod'sgiftofthegraceofconversion
• theTrinityatworkinthesacrament:• God'ssuperabundantmercy,cf.theparableoftheProdigalSon
/MercifulFather• Christ'slovethatismorepowerfulthandeath,morepowerful
thansin(JPII,DMno.8)• ThemediatingactionoftheHolySpiritfortheFather'smercy
andtheSon'slovetoeffectinus.5
3USCCB, Catholic Catechism for Adults, p. 243. 4 NDC, p.132. 5 Ibid.
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Fromexperienceasacatechistformanyyearsandasparishpriestforthepastthreeyears,Iurgedusprieststomakeoursimpleyetcommittedcatechists(volunteerandprofessional)whoarepreparingthechildrenfortheirFirstConfessionandFirstHolyCommunionwitnessthroughustheimportanceandbeautyofthesetwosacraments,inparticularthesacramentofPenance.ThefollowingaredirectivesfromtheNDCregardingtheCatechesisforChildren'sFirstReceptionoftheSacramentofPenanceandReconciliation.1.QuotingfromtheGeneralCatecheticalDirectory(1971)itstates:
SincethecelebrationofFirstConfessionprecedesFirstCommunion,catechesisfortheSacramentofReconciliation...mustbekeptdistinctbyaclearandunhurriedseparation.Thisistobedonesothatthespecificidentityofeachsacramentisapparentandsothat,beforereceivingFirstCommunion,thechildwillbefamiliarwiththerevisedRiteofReconciliationandwillbeateasewiththereceptionofthesacrament.6
2.CatechesisforChildren'sFirstReceptionoftheSacramentofPenanceandReconciliationmustalwaysrespecttheirnaturaldisposition,ability,age,andcircumstances.Sincethefamilyisintimatelyinvolvedwiththeformationofachild'smoralconscience,parentsshouldbeinvolvedinthepreparationoftheirchildrenforthissacramentsothattheycanaffirmandreinforcefrequentparticipationinthesacraments.TheyorientthechildtowardGodandencouragecontinualgrowthintheunderstandingofGod'smercyandlove.73.DiocesesandparishesshouldpresentcatechesisforChildren'sFirstReceptionoftheSacramentofPenanceandReconciliationthathelpsthechildrento
• AcknowledgeGod'sunconditionalloveforus• TurntoChristandtheChurchforthesacramentalforgivenessandreconciliation• Recognizethepresenceofgoodandevilintheworldandtheirpersonalcapacityforboth• Recognizetheirneedforforgiveness,notonlyfromtheirparentsandothersclosetothem,butfromGod• Explorethemeaningofthesymbols,gestures,prayersandscripturesoftheRiteofReconciliation• UnderstandhowtocelebratetheRiteofReconciliation• Understandthat"sacramentalConfessionisameansofferedchildrenoftheChurchtoobtainpardonforsin,andfurthermorethatitisevennecessaryperseifonehasfallenintoserioussin"(GDC,Addendumno.3).8
6 GCD, Addendum, no. 5. 7 NDC, p. 135. 8 Ibid.
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Sinceconversionisalifelongprocess,catechesisfortheSacramentofPenanceandReconciliationisongoing.Childrenhavearighttoafullercatechesiseachyear.1.2.TheChristiancommunityisinvolvedinforgivenessandreconciliationOurCatechismforFilipinoCatholics(CFC),followingtheRiteofPenance,mentionsanotherdimensionthathastobehighlighterintoday’scatechesisonthesacramentofPenance.
1776.Thesecondemphasisistoview“confession”asacommunitarianandecclesialaction.Incontrasttotheinadequateindividualisticnotionofpenancewhichoftencharacterizedthe“routineconfessions”inthepast,wenowrecognizethatthewholeChristiancommunityisinvolvedinforgivenessandreconciliation.Forlikeeachofhermembers,theChurchherselfneedstobebothforgivenandforgiving,reconciledandreconciling.Thus,theChristiancommunityineveryEucharisticcelebrationpraysasChristtheLordtaughthisdisciples:“Forgiveusoursinsasweforgivethosewhosinagainstus”(Mt6:12).
1788.Inrecentyears,theChurchhasespeciallyencouragedpenitentialcelebrationswhichinvolvetheproclamationofGod’sWord,suitablesongs,psalms,periodsofsilence,ahomily,andcommonprayersandlitanies,climaxinginthecommunalrecitationoftheLord’sPrayer.ThesecelebrationshaveprovenveryeffectiveinfosteringthespiritofpenancewithintheparishorBECcommunity.TheyhelptheordinaryadultFilipinoCatholictopreparemoreeffectivelyforconfession,andcontributeeffectivelytothegradualformationofaChristianconscienceinthechildrenandyouth.Bothadultsandyouthareaidedtowardthat“perfectcontrition”thatcomesfromlovingGodmoredeeplyandpersonally(cf.RP36f).
ThiscommunitariandimensionofPenanceisalsoaffirmedintheCatholicCatechismforAdults,USCCB:
TheSacramentofPenanceisanexperienceofthegiftofGod'sboundlessmercy.Notonlydoesitfreeusfromoursinsbutitalsochallengeustohavethesamekindofcompassionandforgivenessforthosewhosinagainstus.Weareliberatedtobeforgivers."Itisinpardoningthatwearepardoned."(PrayerofSt.Francis)9
9USCCB, Catholic Catechism for Adults, p. 242.
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1.3.ThenewsinsinthenewevangelizationThePastoralLetteroftheCBCPproposesnewoffensesthattheCatholicfaithfulneedtobeawareandforwhichtheyneedtoberepentantandtheyneedtoconfessinthecelebrationofthesacrament.
WemustkneeldownincontritionbeforeGodforoursinsagainstMotherNature.Wekneeldowninsorrowforthescarsonnature,thedestructionofcomplexlivingsystemssacrificedonthealtarofeconomicprogress.
Wekneeldownbeforethepoorwehaveignored;theywhomtheLordassuredwillinherittheKingdom.Wekneeldowninsorrowforourabusesagainsttheweakandthevulnerable.
Wekneeltoseekmercyfromthosewehavemarginalizedandmisjudged,suspectedandgossipedabout.
WeneedtokneeldownandseekpardonforourmisplacedprudenceandcowardicetostandfortheLordanddiewithHim.
ToconcludeourreflectionontheSacramentofPenance,letuslookbacktothePastoralLetter:
Ifwewantrenewal,wemustlearnthehumilityofkneelingfromtheheartandwiththeknees.
Itiseasiertorememberthatwearesinnerswhenwekneel.Itiseasiertosharethesamemercykneelingdown,notfromahighermorallevelbutfromoursharedsinfulcondition.
2.InAdorationofJesus,theFaceofGod’smercyletuskneelbeforetheSacramentoftheEucharistTheSynodFathersonNewEvangelizationaffirmedthat“theEucharistmustbethesourceandsummitoftheNewEvangelization,”urging“Christ’sfaithfultorenewtheirunderstandingandlovefortheEucharisticcelebration….”10InJanuary2016,ourfeetandourkneesleadustoCebufortheFiftyFirstInternationalEucharisticCongressechoingthewordsofSaintPaultotheColossians“Christinyou,ourhopeofglory”(1:27).
10Synod on New Evangelization, Proposition 34.
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Thesuccessful51stInternationalEucharisticCongressinCebulastJanuaryisalivingproofourgreatloveandfaithintheEucharist.Indeed,“weFilipinosfeelnaturally“athome”inbreakingbreadtogetherwithJesus.”(PCPII281)2.1.TheEucharistasEncounterwithJesus,lookingatusIfwedreamofrenewal,letusrediscoverthepowerofkneelingagaininsilentadorationoftheBlessedSacramenttheLambofGod.Thus,thePastoralLetteroftheCBCPgivesusaspecificfocusonhowtodeepenfurtherourappreciationoftheEucharist---revitalizeourfaithintherealPresenceofJesusintheBlessedSacramentbypreservingandprotectingourtraditionoftheEucharisticadoration.Henceourcatecheticalprograminthesecomingyearsshouldtakethisdirection.
Bendingthekneebeforethetabernacleingenuflection,kneelingdownatthecelebrationoftheEucharist,kneelingdowntoadoretheexposedBlessedSacrament—thesearelittlebutsublimeactsofadorationthatwemustpreserveandprotect.
OurcatechistsneedtorealizethatourfaithintherealpresenceofChristinthebreadandwineconsecratedintheHolyMassconsistsnotonlyinouractiveparticipationinthecelebrationoftheHolyMass,butalsoinspendingtimeinadorationoftheLordintheBlessedSacrament,throughtheholyhourdevotionorinshortvisits.TheCatechismforFilipinoCatholicsaffirms:
AshiningqualityofCatholicprayerandpietyisdevotiontotheBlessedSacrament(cf.CCC1378-81)WorshipoftheEucharistis“thefocuswhereallotherformsofpietymustultimatelymerge”(MF64).NowthepracticeofreservingconsecratedhostswasinitiallytoofferViaticumtothedying,andHolyCommuniontothesickanddisabled.Thispracticeofreservation“ledtothepraiseworthycustomofadoringtheheavenlyfoodpreservedinchurches”(EM49).BeliefintherealpresenceofourLordJesusChristintheSacramentofLovenaturallydevelopedintovariousformsofEucharisticdevotion:personalprayerbeforetheBlessedSacrament,hoursofadoration,BenedictionoftheBlessedSacrament,andtheChurch-widecelebrationoftheFeastofCorpusChristi(cf.DC3)….(CFC1733)
CFCobservesthatourpersonaldevotiontoChristintheBlessedSacramenthasfilledoutourlivesinauniquefashion.Howeveritisalsonoticeableamongtoday’sFilipinoCatholics’theirlackofproperrespecttotheEucharistasconsequenceoftakingforgrantedthisbeautifuldevotion.
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IntheCCCwereadtheroleofthedevotiontotheBlessedSacramentinourChristianlife:
PrayingbeforetheBlessedSacramentinvariabledrawsusintodeepersharinginChrist’sPaschalMystery.Wecometoenjoyhisintimatefriendship,pouroutourheartsbeforeHim,offerallourthoughtsandactions,withHimtotheFatherintheHolySpirit.Weexperienceadeepeningofourfaith,hopeandlove.OurauthenticChristianattitudesanddispositionsarenourished,sothatwecanbetterreachouttoothersinlovingservice.Inbrief,drawingclosetoChristintheBlessedSacramenthelpsusto“pullthingstogether,”sothatweactuallylivemorelikehowweprayandworship.(CCC1734)
TheUSCatechismforAdultssuccinctlystates:“…EucharisticadorationanddevotionflowfromandleadtotheEucharisticLiturgy,theMass.”11TheUSNationalDirectoryforCatechesisdecreesthatinpresentinglifelongcatechesisfortheEucharistdiocesesandparishesshouldencourage“visitstotheBlessedSacramentandotherEucharisticdevotion,andteachesappropriatedevotionalgestures,postures,andproperconductinchurch.”122.2.TheEucharistasParticipationinthesacrificeofJesusontheCrossThePastoralLettergivesanotheraspectoftheEucharistthatcatechesistodayshouldhighlightmorethanever:
KneelingattheconsecratorywordsoverthebreadandwineisnotonlyanactofhumilitybutabowingwelcometomeettheLordwhoHimselfhasstoopeddowntoreachouttous.ThoughhewasintheformofGod,hedidnotregardequalitywithGodsomethingtobegrasped.Rather,heemptiedhimself…becomingobedienttodeath,deathonthecross.(Phil2:6)
TodaythereisaneedtohighlighttheEucharistasthesacramentfromSuppertoSacrificeontheCross.WereadthefollowingaffirmationsontheEucharistassacrificeintheCFC:
TheEucharistisasacrificebecauseChristispresentpreciselyas“offeringhimselfforusasasacrificetotheFather”(EM3b)….IntheEucharist,theDeathandResurrectionofChristarenotjustremembered,buteffectivelyproclaimedandmadepresent.Brieflythen,theEucharistisasacrificebecauseit:
11Ibid., p. 224. 12NDC, p. 125.
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• represents,makespresent,thesacrificeoftheCross;• isitsmemorial;and• appliesitsfruit(cf.CCC1341,1366;cf.Trent,ND1546-48).(CFC1690).
Therefore,theMassisnotasacrificeseparatefromtheCross.Rather,thesacrificeoftheCrossanditssacramentalrenewalintheMassare,apartfromthedifferenceinthemannerofoffering,ONEandtheSAMEsacrifice.ItisthissacramentalrenewalwhichChristinstitutedattheLastSupperandcommandedhisapostlestocelebrateinhismemory.TheMassis,thereforeasacrificeofpraise,ofthanksgiving,ofpropitiationandofsatisfaction(Instr.Rom.Missal2).(CFC1691).
…HereagainweseethecalltoactivelyparticipateintheMass,sharinginChrist’srolebothasPriestofferingsacrifice,andasVictimbeingoffered,byjoiningallourownactivitiestoChrist’sredeemingwork.
PCPIIexplainshowthelayfaithfulliveChrist’spriesthoodinthreedimensions:
• asaconsecrationtoGod(inBaptism);• asmediatingGod’splantotransformtheworld(inConfirmation);and• asasacrificeoflifetogetherwithChristcelebratedintheEucharist(cf.
PCPII413)(CFC1692).
FilipinoCatholicsusedtobeurgedto“attend”MassonSundaysandHolyDaysofObligation.ButnowthisischangedtoemphasizethattheChurchtogetherwithChristactuallycelebratestheEucharist.IntheMassJesusactuallyincorporatesusintohisveryownredeemingsacrifice.Therefore,incelebratingonthealtar“thesacrificeoftheCrossbywhich‘ChristourPassover[PaschalLamb]hasbeensacrificed’(1Cor5:7),theworkofourredemptioniscarriedon”(LG3)….(CFC1697).
AgainfromtheUSCatholicCatechismforAdults,weread:
TheMassisasacrificeinthesensethatwhenittakesplace,JesusChrist,throughthebishoporpriestcelebratingtheMass,makespresentsacramentallyHissaving,sacrificialdeathontheCrossbywhichHeredeemedusfromoursins.ThisEucharisticsacrificeisthememorialofChrist'sredeemingdeath.
TheMassisalsothesacrificeoftheChurch.TheordainedpriestintheMasslinkstheEucharisticconsecrationtothesacrificeoftheCrossandtotheLastSupper(EE,29),thusmakingitpossiblethatthesacrificeofChristbecomesthesacrificeofallthemembersoftheChurch."Thelivesofthefaithful,theirpraise,sufferings,prayer,andworkareunitedwiththoseofChristandwithHistotaloffering,andsoacquireanewvalue"(CCC1368).Thisalsoreminds
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usoftheimportanceofsacrificeineachindividual'slife.Inaself-centeredculturewherepeoplearetaughttoextendthemselvesonlyforsomethinginreturn,thesacrificeseachofusmake,followingtheexampleofJesus,whofreelysacrificedhislifeinloveforall,pointtotherealityandpowerofGod'sloveforus.
TheofferingofChristunitesthemembershereonearthandthoseinheaven....DrawingfromthebenefitsofChrist'ssacrifice,theMassisalsoofferedforthefaithfuldeparted---whohavediedinChristbutmaynotyetbetotallypurified---sotheymayenterthegloryofheaven.13
ThroughtheparticipationintheEucharist,wealsoparticipateinthePaschalMysteryofChrist,thatis,inhisdyingandrising,whichismadepresentforustheEucharisticsacrifice.ThisparticipationinthePaschalMysteryreachesitsconsummationwhenwereceiveHisBodyandBloodinHolyCommunion.Christ'svictoryandtriumphoverdeathisthenmadepresentinthelivesofthosewhoparticipateintheEucharist.14
ParticipationinthecelebrationoftheEucharisticsacrificeisasourceandmeansofgraceevenapartfromtheactualreceptionofHolyCommunion.(Thisshouldbestressedespeciallyforthoseinirregularsituationinmarriedlife.)15
TheUSNationalDirectoryforCatechesisstatesthatthediocesesandparishesandindividualChristians(CCC1303),inrecognizingtheEucharistastheheartofChristianlifeforthewholeChurch,shouldsetamongothersthefollowingobjectivesforthelifelongcatechesisfortheEucharist:
• HelpspeopleunderstandthattheEucharististhemysteryinwhichChrist'ssacrificeontheCrossisperpetuated;thatitisamemorialofChrist'spassion,death,andResurrection;andthatitisasacredbanquetinwhichthePeopleofGodsharethebenefitsofthePaschalMystery,renewthecovenantthatGodhasmadethroughthebloodofChrist,andanticipatetheheavenlybanquet• Helpsthefaithfultounderstandthat,intheEucharist,"ChristassociatesHisChurchandallhermemberswithHissacrificeofpraiseandthanksgivingofferedonceforallonthecrosstoHisFather(CCC1407)16
13Catechism for Adults, USCCB, pp. 220-222. 14Ibid., pp. 224-225. 15Ibid.16NDC,p.123.
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MoreoverinitsthemesfortheCatechesisforChildren'sFirstReceptionoftheEucharist,theNDCstates:
BecausereceptionoftheEucharist,especiallyforthefirsttime,isintegraltothechild'sfullincorporationintotheecclesialcommunity,thepastorhasaresponsibilityindeterminingeverychild'sreadinesstoreceiveFirstCommunion.ParentsalsohavetherightandthedutytobeinvolvedinpreparingtheirchildrenforFirstCommunion.
(Hence)DiocesesandparishesshouldpresentcatechesisinpreparationforthefirstreceptionoftheEucharistthat• TeachesthattheEucharististhelivingmemorialofChrist'ssacrificeforthesalvationofallandthecommemorationofhislastmealwithhisdisciples• DevelopsinchildrenanunderstandingoftheFather'slove,oftheirparticipationinthesacrificeofChrist,andofthegiftoftheHolySpirit.17
Finally,theNDChighlightsanelementinthecatechesisforFirstHolyCommunionthatweinthePhilippinesshouldapplyaswell–amystagogyonFirstHolyCommunion:
...EucharisticcatechesisordinarilyfollowsreceptionofthesacramentandsupportstheyoungChristian'sgrowthintothemysteryoftheEucharistandthelifeoftheChurch.18
2.3.ThesinsagainsttheHolyEucharisttodayIfyouwantrenewal,kneelagain.WekneeltoatoneforthecountlessprofaneactionsagainsttheEucharist.AswebowdownandadoretheEucharist,wealsobegformercyforthesacrilegeanddesecrationtheSacredSpeciesarerepeatedlysubjectedtoinmanycommunities.Weseekpardonforliturgicalexperimentsandabuses;thenarcissismamongordainedministersseekingpopularityratherthanpiety;fortakingtheMassforgranted;fortheirreverentattireandthecoldinteriordispositionwhenweattendMass.
17Ibid.,pp.126-128.18Ibid.
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3.LetusKneelinHumbleServicetoandintheFamilythroughaSeriousandPrayerfulReflectionontheSacramentofHolyMatrimonyandtheChristianFamilyGuidedbyPopeFrancis’AmorisLaetitia(TheJoyofLove)Jesusgotupfromthemeal,tookoffhisouterclothing,andwrappedatowelaroundhiswaist.Afterthat,hepouredwaterintoabasinandbegantowashhisdisciples’feet.(John13:4)Amen,amenIsaytoyou,theservantisnotgreaterthanhisLord,andtheapostleisnotgreaterthanhewhosenthim.Ifyouunderstandthis,youshallbeblessedifyoudoit.(Jn13:17)IntheGospelofJohn,insteadofanaccountoftheinstitutionoftheEucharist,thereisthenarrativeoffootwashing(Jn13:1-20)atthebeginningoftheLastSupper,whichsetsthetoneofhumbleservice,exemplifiedbyChristandfulfilledinhisdeathontheCross.ThemandatetheLordgaveonHolyThursdayto“DoasIhavedone”isadailyobligationwemustfulfillwithhumility,withjoy,withfaith,withlove.TheCBCPPastoralLetterinvitesustoconsiderthefamilyastheplaceforkneelingtoserveandexerciseloveandcharity.Letuskneelagainathome…forfeetwashing.Whereloveandserviceprevailinsteadofprideandgrudgekeeping;wherethehumilityofpardonandbeingpardonedprevailsoverrevengeandbitterresentments;wheresiblingswashoneanother’sfeetandparentsdothesame;wherethecultureoffamilykneelingispresent,thedreamofrenewalinfamilylifewillnotbefarfromsight.TheSynodFathersonNewEvangelizationaffirmedintheirmessagethat:
FamilylifeisthefirstplaceinwhichtheGospelencounterstheordinarylifeanddemonstratesitscapacitytotransformthefundamentalconditionsofexistenceinthehorizonoflove.19
ThefamilyasdomesticchurchandhavenofcharityisechoedintherecentlypromulgatedPostSynodalApostolicexhortationofPopeFrancisAmorisLaetitia.HedrewfromtheresultsofthelasttwosynodsonmarriageandChristianfamily.Inthisdocumenthededicatedawholechapter(ChapterIV)onthethemeofloveorcharity,offeringameditationontheletterofPaultotheCorinthiansonlove,unprecedentedinpapaldocuments.20Hewrote:“Wecouldalsopointtothepresenceinmanyfamiliesofacapacityforselflessandlovingservicewhenchildren
19Message of Synod Fathers, p. 22. 20Pope Francis, Amoris Laetitia (The Joy of Love).
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provetroublesomeandevenungrateful.ThismakesthoseparentsasignofthefreeandselflessloveofJesus.”(AL162)Fr.RobertHateraffirmsthat:“EvangelizationbeginsinChristianfamilies.Fromthefirstseedsoffaith,plantedinfamilylife,God’sgracebeginsanunfoldingprocessthatlastsalifetime.Fromamother’ssmiletoafather’ssacrifice,God’sspiritpermeatedafamily,centeredonloveandfaithfulness.”21OnlyonthebasisofthisexperiencewilltheChurch’spastoralcareforfamiliesenablethemtobebothdomesticchurchesandaleavenofevangelizationinsociety.(AL290)3.1.ProvidingAnAdequateMarriagePreparation:afundamentalservicetoengagedcouplesAnimportantservicethatfamiliescanoffertheirmembersandtheChurchaswellistopreparewelltheengagedcouplessoontogetmarried.
ThosebestpreparedformarriageareprobablythosewholearnedwhatChristianmarriageisfromtheirownparents,whochoseeachotherunconditionallyanddailyrenewthisdecision.Inthissense,pastoralinitiativesaimedathelpingmarriedcouplestogrowinloveandintheGospelofthefamilyalsohelptheirchildren,bypreparingthemfortheirfuturemarriedlife.Norshouldweunderestimatethepastoralvalueoftraditionalreligiouspractices.(AL208)
Alongwithapastoraloutreachaimedspecificallyatfamilies,thisshowstheneedfor“amoreadequateformation...ofpriests,deacons,menandwomenreligious,catechistsandotherpastoralworkers”.(AL202)
TheSynodFathersstatedinanumberofwaysthatweneedtohelpyoungpeoplediscoverthedignityandbeautyofmarriage.Theyshouldbehelpedtoperceivetheattractionofacompleteunionthatelevatesandperfectsthesocialdimensionofexistence,givessexualityitsdeepestmeaning,andbenefitschildrenbyofferingthemthebestcontextfortheirgrowthanddevelopment.(AL205)Thesacramentofmarriageisnotasocialconvention,anemptyritualormerelytheoutwardsignofacommitment….Marriageisavocation,inasmuchasitisaresponsetoaspecificcalltoexperienceconjugalloveasanimperfectsignofthelovebetweenChristandtheChurch.Consequently,
21Hater, Rober (Fr.), The Parish Guide to New Evangelization, (Indiana: Our Sunday Visitor, 2013), p.104.
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thedecisiontomarryandtohaveafamilyoughttobethefruitofaprocessofvocationaldiscernment.(AL72)
Inthisregard,theSynodFathersagreedontheneedtoinvolvetheentirecommunitymoreextensivelybystressingthewitnessoffamiliesthemselvesandbygroundingmarriagepreparationintheprocessofChristianinitiationbybringingouttheconnectionbetweenmarriage,baptismandtheothersacraments(e.g.SacramentofReconciliation).TheFathersalsospokeoftheneedforspecificprogramsofmarriagepreparationaimedatgivingcouplesagenuineexperienceofparticipationinecclesiallifeandacompleteintroductiontovariousaspectsoffamilylife”.(AL206)
…(E)achlocalChurchwilldiscernhowbesttoprovideasuitableformationwithoutdistancingyoungpeoplefromthesacrament.TheydonotneedtobetaughttheentireCatechismoroverwhelmedwithtoomuchinformation.Heretoo,“itisnotgreatknowledge,butrathertheabilitytofeelandrelishthingsinteriorlythatcontentsandsatisfiesthesoul”.Qualityismoreimportantthanquantity,andpriorityshouldbegiven–alongwitharenewedproclamationofthekerygma–toanattractiveandhelpfulpresentationofinformationthatcanhelpcouplestolivetherestoftheirlivestogether“withgreatcourageandgenerosity”.Marriagepreparationshouldbeakindof“initiation”tothesacramentofmatrimony,providingcoupleswiththehelptheyneedtoreceivethesacramentworthilyandtomakeasolidbeginningoflifeasafamily.(AL207)
…(T)heprimaryobjectiveistohelpeachtolearnhowtolovethisveryrealpersonwithwhomheorsheplanstosharehisorherwholelife.Learningtolovesomeonedoesnothappenautomatically,norcanitbetaughtinaworkshopjustpriortothecelebrationofmarriage.Foreverycouple,marriagepreparationbeginsatbirth.Whattheyreceivedfromtheirfamilyshouldpreparethemtoknowthemselvesandtomakeafullanddefinitivecommitment.
Thedecisiontomarryshouldneverbeencouragedunlessthecouplehasdiscerneddeeperreasonsthatwillensureagenuineandstablecommitment.(AL209)
Bothshort-termandlong-termmarriagepreparationshouldensurethatthecoupledonotviewtheweddingceremonyastheendoftheroad,butinsteadembarkuponmarriageasalife-longcallingbasedonafirmandrealisticdecisiontofacealltrialsanddifficultmomentstogether.Thepastoralcareofengagedandmarriedcouplesshouldbecenteredonthemarriagebond,assistingcouplesnotonlytodeepentheirlovebutalsotoovercomeproblemsanddifficulties.ThisinvolvesnotonlyhelpingthemtoaccepttheChurch’steachingandtohaverecoursetohervaluableresources,butalsoofferingpracticalprograms,soundadvice,provenstrategiesand
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psychologicalguidance.Allthiscallsforapedagogyoflove,attunedtothefeelingsandneedsofyoungpeopleandcapableofhelpingthemtogrowinteriorly….ItisalsoimportanttoremindthemoftheavailabilityofthesacramentofReconciliation,whichallowsthemtobringtheirsinsandpastmistakes,andtheirrelationshipitself,beforeGod,andtoreceiveinturnhismercifulforgivenessandhealingstrength.(AL211)
Short-termpreparationsformarriagetendtobeconcentratedoninvitations,clothes,thepartyandanynumberofotherdetailsthattendtodrainnotonlythebudgetbutenergyandjoyaswell.Thespousescometotheweddingceremonyexhaustedandharried,ratherthanfocusedandreadyforthegreatstepthattheyareabouttotake.Thesamekindofpreoccupationwithabigcelebrationalsoaffectscertaindefactounions;becauseoftheexpensesinvolved,thecouple,insteadofbeingconcernedaboveallwiththeirloveandsolemnizingitinthepresenceofothers,nevergetmarried.Hereletmesayawordtofiancés.Havethecouragetobedifferent.Don’tletyourselvesgetswallowedupbyasocietyofconsumptionandemptyappearances.Whatisimportantistheloveyoushare,strengthenedandsanctifiedbygrace.Youarecapableofoptingforamoremodestandsimplecelebrationinwhichlovetakesprecedenceovereverythingelse.Pastoralworkersandtheentirecommunitycanhelpmakethisprioritythenormratherthantheexception.(AL212)
Thecouplecanalsomeditateonthebiblicalreadingsandthemeaningfulnessoftheringstheywillexchangeandtheothersignsthatarepartoftherite.Norwoulditbegoodforthemtoarriveattheweddingwithouteverhavingprayedtogether,onefortheother,toseekGod’shelpinremainingfaithfulandgenerous,toasktheLordtogetherwhathewantsofthem,andtoconsecratetheirlovebeforeanimageoftheVirginMary.Thosewhohelppreparethemformarriageshouldhelpthemexperiencethesemomentsofprayerthatcanprovesobeneficial.(AL216).Anothergreatchallengeofmarriagepreparationistohelpcouplesrealizethatmarriageisnotsomethingthathappensonceforall.Theirunionisrealandirrevocable,confirmedandconsecratedbythesacramentofmatrimony.Yetinjoiningtheirlives,thespousesassumeanactiveandcreativeroleinalifelongproject.Theirgazenowhastobedirectedtothefuturethat,withthehelpofGod’sgrace,theyaredailycalledtobuild….Thisfactneedstoberealisticallypresentedtonewlymarriedcouplesfromtheoutset,sothattheycangraspthattheweddingis“justthebeginning”.Bysaying“Ido”,theyembarkonajourneythatrequiresthemtoovercomeallobstaclesstandinginthewayoftheirreachingthegoal.Thenuptialblessingthattheyreceiveisagraceandanincentiveforthisjourney.Theycanonlybenefitfromsittingdownandtalkingtooneanotherabouthow,concretely,theyplantoachievetheirgoal.(AL218)
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3.2.PassingontheFaith:ANecessaryServicefortheFamilyasdomesticchurchEstablishedbythesacramentofmatrimony,theChristianfamilyasthedomesticChurchisthelocusandfirstagentinthegivingoflifeandlove,thetransmissionoffaithandtheformationofthehumanpersonaccordingtothevaluesofthegospel.InimitatingChrist,thewholeChurchmustdedicateherselftosupportingfamiliesinthecatechesisofchildrenandyouth.22
Enablingfamiliestotakeuptheirroleasactiveagentsofthefamilyapostolatecallsfor“aneffortatevangelizationandcatechesisinsidethefamily”.(AL200)
Familycatechesisisofgreatassistanceasaneffectivemethodintrainingyoungparentstobeawareoftheirmissionastheevangelizersoftheirownfamily”(AL287)Educationinthefaithhastoadapttoeachchild,sinceolderresourcesandrecipesdonotalwayswork.Childrenneedsymbols,actionsandstories.Sinceadolescentsusuallyhaveissueswithauthorityandrules,itisbesttoencouragetheirownexperienceoffaithandtoprovidethemwithattractivetestimoniesthatwinthemoverbytheirsheerbeauty.Parentsdesirousofnurturingthefaithoftheirchildrenaresensitivetotheirpatternsofgrowth,fortheyknowthatspiritualexperienceisnotimposedbutfreelyproposed.(AL288)3.3.Familiesmustbecomeplacesofprayer.Letuskneelagainathomeforfamilyprayer….Thefamilythatpraystogetherstaystogether.Thefamilythatkneelstogetherwillberefreshedandrenewedtogether.Thefamilythatkneelstogetherwillremainyoungandfreshandnew.Kneelingempowersfamiliestostandupagainstthestormsoflife.Kneelingisstrength.Childrenlearnbyimitation.That’struewithlanguageandit’struewithprayer….Evenmorefundamentally,whenweprayregularlyasafamily,wegiveGodgreateropportunitytoworkwithus,togiveusthegraceweneedtofacethechallengesthatawaitusandmakethesacrificesthedayasksofus.Boundtogetherbygrace,we
22Synod, Proposition 48
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becomemorecapableofwitnessingtoChristintheotherfieldstowhichhecallsus.23Thefamilyiscalledtojoinindailyprayer,toreadthewordofGodandtoshareinEucharisticcommunion,andthustogrowinloveandbecomeevermorefullyatempleinwhichtheSpiritdwells.(AL29)Mothersoftencommunicatethedeepestmeaningofreligiouspracticeinthefirstprayersandactsofdevotionthattheirchildrenlearn...(AL174)Wepastorshavetoencouragefamiliestogrowinfaith.Thismeansencouragingfrequentconfession,spiritualdirectionandoccasionalretreats.Italsomeansencouragingfamilyprayerduringtheweek,since“thefamilythatpraystogetherstaystogether”.Whenvisitingourpeople’shomes,weshouldgatherallthemembersofthefamilyandbrieflyprayforoneanother,placingthefamilyintheLord’shands.ItisalsohelpfultoencourageeachofthespousestofindtimeforprayeralonewithGod,sinceeachhashisorhersecretcrossestobear….(AL228)TheSynodFathersnotedthat“thewordofGodisthesourceoflifeandspiritualityforthefamily.AllpastoralworkonbehalfofthefamilymustallowpeopletobeinteriorlyfashionedandformedasmembersofthedomesticchurchthroughtheChurch’sprayerfulreadingofsacredScripture.ThewordofGodisnotonlygoodnewsinaperson’sprivatelifebutalsoacriterionofjudgmentandalightindiscerningthevariouschallengesthatmarriedcouplesandfamiliesencounter”.(AL228)Itisessentialthatchildrenactuallyseethat,fortheirparents,prayerissomethingtrulyimportant.Hencemomentsoffamilyprayerandactsofdevotioncanbemorepowerfulforevangelizationthananycatechismclassorsermon.(AL288)Familyprayerisaspecialwayofexpressingandstrengtheningthispaschalfaith.AfewminutescanbefoundeachdaytocometogetherbeforethelivingGod,totellhimourworries,toaskfortheneedsofourfamily,toprayforsomeoneexperiencingdifficulty,toaskforhelpinshowinglove,togivethanksforlifeandforitsblessings,andtoaskOurLadytoprotectusbeneathhermaternalmantle.Withafewsimplewords,thismomentofprayercandoimmensegoodforourfamilies.Thevariousexpressionsofpopularpietyareatreasureofspiritualityformanyfamilies.Thefamily’scommunaljourneyofprayerculminatesbysharingtogetherintheEucharist,especiallyinthecontextoftheSundayrest.Jesusknocksonthedooroffamilies,tosharewiththemtheEucharisticsupper(cf.Rev3:20)….TheEucharististhesacramentofthenewcovenant,whereChrist’sredemptiveworkiscarriedout(cf.Lk22:20).TheclosebondbetweenmarriedlifeandtheEucharistthusbecomesallthemoreclear.Forthefoodofthe
23ScottHahn,pp.91-92.
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Eucharistoffersthespousesthestrengthandincentiveneededtolivethemarriagecovenanteachdayasa“domesticchurch”.(AL318)ConclusionKneelingforRenewalInthisYearoftheFamilyandtheEucharist,weareinvitedtokneeldowntobringrenewaltothefamily.WekneeltoserveliketheLord.WeenvisioneveryFilipinoCatholicfamilytobemissionarydisciplesoftheEucharist.IntheJubileeYearofMercy,thisYearoftheFamilyandtheEucharist,letusreturntothespiritualvalueandbeautyofkneeling.Tertullianevenwentsofarassaying“Noprayershouldbemadewithoutkneeling”.(DeOratione,23)Howcanweberenewedwithoutprayer?Howcanwepraywithoutkneelingforrepentance?Howcanwereceivemercyifweareproudandself-secure?HowcanweworshipwithoutkneelingdownwhentheApostlehimselfsays“AtthenameofJesuseverykneeshouldbendofthoseinheavenandonearthandundertheearth.”HowcanweshowthatweareHisdiscipleswithoutkneelingdowntowashoneanother’sfeetasHehasmandated?BylovewewillbeknownasHisdisciples.InthisYearofMercyletuskneelagain.Ifwewantrenewal,lettheheartandbodykneel.LetthemindandthelegsbendbeforetheLord.Letthesoulandthekneesbowtogetherinworshipandhumility.AsministersincatechesisinthisYearofMercy,inthisYearoftheEucharistandFamily,inthe25thYearofPCPIIaswecontinuetotakethepathtowardtheNewEvangelization,letourkneelingbeforetheLordgiveusinspirationtorenewourcatechesisonthesacramentsofReconciliation,theEucharistandtheHolyMarriage.
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