PHOTO BY FR. JUVI CORONEL
PASIG CITY - “This is the teaching of Christ: presence, memorial, and
sacrifice. Immerse in the silence; look at the Blessed Sacrament; contemplate
the face of Christ. He is there in
communion with us, with loving presence.”
These are the concluding words of Pasig Bishop Mylo Hubert Vergara he led the people of the
diocese in a synchronized Worldwide Eucharistic Adoration with Pope Francis
held last June 2, 2013 at the Immaculate Conception Cathedral in Pasig City.
The Diocese of Pasig is one with Pope Francis in celebrating
the Year of Faith, in which the primary challenge is to renew the faith.
Recalling the teachings of the Second Vatican Council,
Bishop Vergara explained Lumen Gentium describing the Eucharist as “the source
and summit of Christian life”.
“How can we renew our commitment in the Risen Lord?”
challenged Bishop Mylo as he reflected on the three realities that go with the
Eucharist.
Presence
Presence is when Jesus proclaimed himself as the living
bread. “Every time we celebrate the
Eucharist, we are before the living bread,” explained the Bishop.
“Christians do not understand that Jesus is alive. Sometimes,
they celebrate mass without piety.
Notice how they enter the church and give no reverence for the
Eucharist.”
“If Jesus is living bread, then in every mass, show piety
and reverence,” reminded Bishop Mylo.
Memorial
Recalling what happened during the last supper, Bishop Mylo
explained, “Every time we celebrate the Eucharist, we raise the host and the cup,
we say, ‘This is my body … this is my blood … do this in memory of me.’”
“Here, the challenge is to realize that we are in front of a
living memory and we are to live it.” The
bishop said, “The challenge is to become like Jesus and live what we recall and
remember.”
Sacrifice
According to the bishop, we remember the sacrifice on the
cross and the blood that was shed.
“This sacrifice happens in every celebration. It is done by
the Lord himself,” the bishop explained.
Speaking in the vernacular, the sacrifices of Jesus on cross
gives meaning to our own sacrifices.
“Humuhugot tayo ng lakas sa sakramento sa bigat ng buhay. Yung iba, umiiyak habang nagdadasal sa
harap. Hindi sila nag-iisa; kasama natin
ang Panginoong nagsasakripisyo para sa atin.” (We get our strength from the
Sacrament during the heavy experiences of life. Other shed tears while praying
in front of the Blessed Sacrament. They are
not alone; the Lord is sacrificing for us.)
The Pasig Cathedral was filled with worshippers coming from
different parishes of the Diocese of Pasig.
It is was held at 11 PM Philippine time, the same time the Holy Father
prayed before the Blessed Sacrament at 5 PM Rome time. (Report by Fr. Lito Jopson, Pasig Diocesan Office of Communication 20130614)
Log: Headline News
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