Ateneo de Manila University



Jelly AliligayJaycee Ann L. GalvezAteneo de Manila UniversityMA in Religious EducationA Theological Understanding of the Eucharist as Communion in Deepening and Strengthening Family LifeStatement of the Problem:The Eucharist is one of the sacraments of initiation in which we receive the body and blood of Christ. ?It is the source and the summit of the ecclesial life. In CFC 1702, “Eucharist is called the "sacrament of love, a sign of unity, a bond of charity and a paschal banquet. It also called last supper, breaking of the bread, holy mass, sacred meal or thanksgiving. Eucharist as communion means that all who ate the one blessed, broken Bread that is Christ, were drawn into communion with Him and with one another, to form one single body with Him. When we receive the Eucharist, we commune with Jesus and build a closer relationship to Him. When we accept Him, He became our spiritual Bread of life who gives us physical strength nourishes our soul and purifies our heart.” We also experience communion in the family through having closer relationship, participating in family affairs, promoting harmony and sharing their blessings to one another. The Eucharist is important to strengthen one’s relationship to one another. If we make the Eucharist the center of each Christian family, it might build unity and strength within the family, church and community.Today, some of the families as communities are breaking apart. There is a weakening of family ties. Some of the factors that diminishes the family ties are misunderstanding, self-centered, envious, neglect or lack of love and unable to receive and ask for forgiveness. “Therefore the absence of parents may destroy the solidarity and unity in the family.” Today’s situation is really a great challenge for every Filipino Family to look at their spiritual life, the life that should be nourished and nurtured in the Eucharist. Therefore, the Eucharist as communion can be one of the sources to deepen and strengthen the family relationships. It is a life that is centered to Christ. There is a need to be more aware on how the Eucharist may deepen and strengthen the family life.? Knowing that it is the source and summit of Christian life, we are called to have a deep understanding on how Eucharist as communion can be a help for us. Being commune with Jesus is also being commune with others. This can be done by eating together, providing the needs of others and doing an act of charity. By doing those activities, it can strengthen family’s relationship.Lastly, this paper will seek to answer the most relevant understanding of the Eucharist as communion in every Filipino family: ?How can understanding the Eucharist as communion contributes to deepening/ strengthening family life?Scope and LimitationThis paper is intended for the parents of St. Francis Xavier Parish.?In the first part of the article, we will talk about the context of the Filipino family today. Then, we will discuss Eucharist as communion. Included in this article will be the development of communion as a sacred meal in response to human hunger, a sign of unity and a bond of charity. We will consult the books, articles, scriptures and church teachings such as NCDP, CCC and CFC to get some information needed on the topic. “The fruits of receiving communion by the family are unity with Jesus, liberation from sin, love, mercy, joy, reconciliation and a call to service.” (CFC 1717-1719).We will describe Filipino practices that relates to their daily experiences, such as being hospitable and family-oriented which is being manifested in family bonding. Even though there are united families who exercise close relationship, there are also families who have problems. There are families who experience brokenness, parents who go abroad and busy working. Here, the need of the family and their relationships is given an emphasis. It refers to the relationship between husband and wife, parents and children, and family to God. ?Different statements from articles and books will be used as references in this part. We will cite the insight of Julie Hanlon Rubio in her book Family Ethics, Practices for Christians to have an idea of the common concerns of the ordinary family. We will also use the articles of the Filipino priests and laity to identify the common practices of the Filipino family. Although we will give emphasis on Eucharist as communion, we will not include the parts and rite of the liturgy. We would like to give importance to the sacrament of Eucharist as communion which brings the families in unity and bond of charity. Part of the discussion is the family problems. This article will not give ways or answer to a particular problem but it will give a clear understanding of the Eucharist as communion that can help strengthen and deepen their family relationship.Objective Significance“The Eucharist as communion is an important source of strength for couples and families to live out our communion of love with each other.” The family gives us our first experience of “communion” in interpersonal relationships. In this paper, we want to show the many ways by which the Eucharist as communion builds family relationship. The communion within the family helps each member to grow in unity, charity and commitment to service.Subjective SignificanceTherefore, the families in the Parish of St. Francis Xavier will help them to understand the Eucharist as communion as a way of responding to their needs, physical, psychological, social and moral aspect. It must be recognized by Catholic families as a source of charity, and the basis of the communion and mission of family life. Hence, it will help motivate them to practice the real communion with their family members as being commune with Jesus Christ.MethodologyTo arrive at some concrete ideas concerning Eucharist as communion;First, research was undertaken about the situation of the Filipino family today. We used the National Catechetical Directory of the Philippines and some articles to see the situation with regards to some threats and concerns affecting the Filipino family.Second, to identify the meaning and significance of the Eucharist, we seek the insight of different authors of theological books. We also cite biblical stories and passages that talk about communion with Jesus. We used the articles and books in understanding the Eucharist as a communion in respond to Human hunger, unity and bond of charity. Third, to further give a clear theological understanding of Eucharist as communion, we used the biblical stories and passages which are related to the Eucharist as a sacred meal, human hunger and sign of bond and unity. We give emphasis on the relationships of the family towards each other and in the society. In response to this communion of love, we also relate the value of service and commitment in relation for the unity of the community. I. Soil: Context of the Filipino Family TodayNCDP stresses that “The Filipino family is a cultural – root paradigm in the Philippines. Hence the word ‘family’ was translated in the Filipino language as sambayanan (literally, one people) that connotes a cluster of families, a community.”Another is that “to understand the motivational and behavioral patterns of Filipinos, it is important to recognize characteristics features of the Filipino family that influence their personality”. We all know that Filipinos are known for being family oriented, hospitable, friendly, and for their endearing traits. NCDP tells us this,It is a Pinoy trait that can be easily observed. Everyone is welcomed and very much taken cared of.Filipinos are also known of ‘Pakikisama’ because of our kapwa concept, we Filipinos deal with each other in a special way. It is more than just joining or conforming to somebody or something, it is adjusting our lives in order to establish mutual trust and bonding towards each other. Related to ‘pakikisama’ are other life- promoting values such as ‘pakikipag- kapwa – tao’ (love of neighbor), ‘pagdadamayan’(sympathy to a person in need), ‘pagtutulungan’ (service to one another), and ‘bayanihan’ (service to the community). These values affirm the importance of ‘mabutingloob’ as they enable Filipinos to attain communio with the other members of society.Generally, NCDP characterized that Filipinos are happy as long as they can relate and connect with a family, with a community, a group of peers in the neighborhood, school, Church, or workplace.Filipinos continue to nurture and sustain one another through family togetherness in prayer, through clan reunions, through shared meals and through mutual support in times of sickness, death, and other tragedies. There can be no doubt that the Filipino family plays a vital role in the life of the individual and society. Families are the most important reference group, the core of the alliance system of Filipinos and the primary group where they find security, strength, and support. Loyalty to family and kin, family solidarity and togetherness, as well as concern for family welfare and honor, still rank high in Filipino priorities, despite the rapid changes brought about by modernization and globalization.NCDP points out also that “today, there are some factors, threats and concerns affecting Filipino family that exert a strong influence like parental absenteeism, other form of social economic pressures, separation from the family etc.As a result, the care of the children is delegated to relatives or a salaried household help. These problems that the Filipino families face today reflect the larger problems of Filipino society.” II. Seed: Eucharist Eucharist comes from the Greek word “Eukaristos” which means thanksgiving. It is literally means thanks of one who has received “goodly gifts” and who, consequently, is “thankful”. The celebration of the Eucharist is a thanksgiving to God who redeemed us through Christ and continues to love the humankind. It is a gathering of the faithful which aims to worship and express their gratitude to God. It is their time to listen to the Word of God that gives them strength and inspires the people to follow Jesus. It is in the Holy Communion where they share and receive the body of Christ. It is the time where we communicate to God.The Holy Eucharist is one of the sacraments that complete Christian initiation. Those who have been raised to the dignity of the royal priesthood by Baptism and configured more deeply to Christ by confirmation participate with whole community in the Lord’s own sacrifice by means of the Eucharist. In this sacrament, the bread and wine signifies the body and blood of Christ. Jesus says “Do this in memory of me” (Luke 22: 19). It means that in the Eucharistic celebration, we keep in mind the paschal mystery of Jesus who sacrificed to save us from our sin. Through this sacrament, sins are forgiven and we are reconciled to God. The Eucharist is instituted by Jesus during the last supper. Vatican II, in the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy states: “At the Last supper, on the night he was betrayed, our Saviour instituted the Eucharistic sacrifice of His body and blood.”In the last supper, Jesus did the four solemn acts; took, blessed, broke and gave (Luke 22: 19). These solemn acts are continued during the Eucharistic celebration as a way of making present the last supper that Jesus had with the apostles. Eucharist as CommunionThe Eucharist has many aspects like sacrifice-sacrament or sacramental presence. This article is focused on one aspect of Eucharist which is the communion. “Eucharist as communion unites us more closely with Jesus Himself, and unites us also with all of our brothers and sisters in Christ.” It signifies our unity in faith and union with one another in the community of faith. When we receive the Eucharist, we build a closer relationship to Jesus. When we accept Him, He becomes our spiritual Bread of life who gives us strength, nourishes our soul and purifies our heart.Eucharist is called the “sacrament of love” because it ties with the love to one another. It is in the sharing of the body and blood of Jesus that we join in the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus. It is the love of God the Father that He gave us His only son. It is also the love of Jesus that He was crucified on the cross.All who unite with Jesus might become one body with Him. “The Eucharist then becomes a meal of ‘communion’- a sign of unity and bond of charity. It is in the Eucharist that people from different families come together to be one in worshipping God. In 1Corinthians 12:12, “Christians are to be members that form one body.” In order for us to be one, we have to join the body of Jesus. This body of Jesus is the church which helps us to be in harmony. Thus, the relationship that we have with others is the relationship that was built by Jesus. We are one body with God. To St. Paul, his understanding of membership is “Joined together, all the members of the body share common life”. Therefore, the relationship of a person to one another is always for the common good. It is the relationship that shows concern and love to others. A self-giving love that makes one person grow in faith.The “Eucharist is not only unity it is also a bond of charity. Eucharist is about being sent forth. It is the sacrament that symbolizes the unity of all persons in Christ and because this unity symbolizes by the sharing of food, it makes sense to think of both gathering as community and feeding the hungry as central to Christian life.” The Eucharist challenges the faithful to also share what they have to others. It is in the Eucharist, Christ and the Christian community responds to our deepest human hunger for love and acceptance, for understanding, for clear purpose in life and for peace in our communities.Another name used by the Eucharist is the sacred meal. The “sacred meal “that Jesus brought out during His public ministry is continued in the celebration of the mass today. The meal experience by Jesus brought salvation to those who opened their hearts to him in loving communion. “Jesus used the natural elements of a meal which are (1) coming together, (2) conversing and (3) sharing food and drink together. This brings salvation and the loving presence among us.” In this meal, we receive the joy where God gives us blessings, mercy, forgiveness our sins and love that the Holy Spirit brings to us.According Fr. Harlon, “the Eucharist brings us graces”. Our souls become more united to Jesus and it transforms the person towards good. Another significance of communion is to remove the personal guilt and venial sins. It also challenges the person to be united to others and charity to others.III. FRUITS OF THE EUCHARIST AS COMMUNIONEucharist as a Sacred Meal (Joy, Love and Mercy at the Table) Satisfies Human HungerJulie Hanlon Rubio, in her book entitled “Family Ethics” viewed that “Christian meals through the lens of the Eucharist yields a more substantive understanding of what Christian families ought to be about when they gather to eat”. This gathering at the table can be experienced as communion. “At the Last Supper, a final meal, Jesus intended to give his disciples a meal from which they draw nourishment forever for their spiritual journey. This meal was testamentary meal, a meal which he eagerly longed to share with his apostles.”This meal also expresses a deep joy and gratitude of an intimate relationship with Christ. Thus, “this communion in the Last Supper reflecting in the Christian Filipino family meal is not only focusing on the emotional bonds of being together and family closeness, rather binding themselves to one another in a community oriented to Christ”. A community oriented to Christ is a family who exercises this love, joy and mercy at the table within the family. Like a typical Filipino, we are fond of eating together with our family members, relatives and neighborhood, we expresses this joy of being together reminiscing happy moments, laughter’s and tears .It is a vital ingredient to build and strengthen family relationships. Thus as Filipino family, we are all endowed to participate in our call to love, gratitude and mercy towards one another. In one of the article made by Fr. James McTavish“To be Sharers of God’s Mercy to Others”stated that “In practicing mercy Jesus gives us a commandment: “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.” (Lk 6:36). We are called to be instruments of God’s mercy. He desires that our families be as good as they can be that we try to love each other as much as we can.” The Eucharist fulfills the fundamental human need for communion with God and others. In sharing a meal together, physical hunger is not only satisfied but also our spiritual, emotional hunger for understanding, reconciliation, love, communication, liberation from fear, envious, insecurities and all the things that might hinder us towards a good relationship with others. Thus, the “Eucharist indeed is the sacrament of communion between brothers and sisters who allow themselves to be reconciled in Christ.”The connection between reconciliation and Eucharist as communion in the family explained in CFC 173 that “The Eucharist as communion was instituted by Christ to climax his ‘meal ministry’ of reconciliation with His Paschal feast of loving communion with his apostles. Moreover this manner of reconciling is typically Filipino. We develop ‘smooth interpersonal relationships’and reconcile with one another by inviting others to come, sit down, and share in eating and drinking in a fraternal meal.” To satisfy human hunger for love, one must be able to give love and receive love without any condition. “The Eucharist is not only a reminder of Christ’s love for us but also of his command that we love one another as he loved us. To love even to the point of self-sacrifice (Jn. 15: 13; 1Jn 3: 16) and to love in spite of the other person’s unworthiness (cf. Rom 5:8).” It means that in communion with our family, we must be able to see the worthiness of each member of the community, open communication is necessary as well as the need for understanding. Therefore, parents must realize their responsibility for their children. One of the examples may be taking care of the needs of their children. Saying “Kumusta na?” is another way of showing that a member of a family is given an importance. On the other hand, there are also children who have no parents and yet they find relationship with others as their family like those people who are willing to offer their help and company. Aside from that, there are parents who are abroad and far from their children. Through there’s a constant communication with the help of technology today, they find time to be with their children too. Parents, who are separated, may share time to bond with their children to express their joy and love to one another.Another is to liberate us from our own fear, jealousy, and insecurities. One must be free from these hindrances that make us prisons of our own selves. It is very important for the Filipino family to give each other the opportunity to grow and develop themselves to live in a free and harmonious relationship. Therefore, the image of Jesus eating with His apostles can be the source of a personal communion with the family.Eucharist builds Unity and Bond of CharityThe Eucharist signifies unity of Jesus to His church. “In the early church, the Eucharist is the place where the disciples come together to obtain their inspiration, strength and sustenance.” This is the venue for them to express their loving relationship with one another. As Filipino family, we are challenged to commune with one another by sharing food, expressing their respect and discussing important details in their life. By sharing our thoughts, plans and ideas during meal time, each member of the family feels accepted and valued by other members. They show their care, when a member of a family experiences a problem in life. It is the time to give their helping hand and show how much they love the person. For instance, one of the traits of Filipino families is “bayanihan” where in they show their unity as one family. This is the beginning of their intimate relationship. Some members of the Filipino family are far from their love ones but still find time to go home especially during special occasions like graduation, Christmas, New Year’s and birthday celebrations. Just like Jesus with His disciples, Filipinos express their happiness when they connect to everyone using social media or the special effort of a person to go home. The gospel of John 6:56 says, "Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him." If we receive Jesus in our life, He lives with us. Jesus is the one who gives strength and provides spiritual nourishment. That in our daily lives we became strong to face the challenges that will happen to us. "God is a community of relationships, we find the fullness of our lives in the relationship we forge and many roles we play.”Thus, we form relationships with our family. God created human to be in a relation with others. This human being relates with others and builds personal friendship. It is clearly seen when for years they do not see each other, they missed one another and find time to be with one other by having reunion in the family which shows that they try to find a way of being united to one another. Same with the Eucharist, we are gathered as one to celebrate our gladness to God. The family becomes united when they celebrate togetherness. When they are gathered, they are reminiscing the past and joyfulness of the heart.The Eucharistic gathering of the faithful in the celebration is a call to be united in the community. It is the community where everyone is accepted. No one is left behind, even the outcast in the society. It is the call for taking care of others especially the poor. Just like the Filipino family, they see to it that everybody is in good terms by extending their help to the needy. It can easily be observed that Filipino families are known of “pagtutulungan, pagdadamayan, pakikisama and bayanihan”.To be in one in the body of Christ is to feed the hungry of God. To be Eucharistic means to take care for the earth. We take care not only to the human being but the whole creation. We are not above all the creation but we are one with the creation. We commune with all creations of God. “Eucharist is a bond of charity which makes Eating meals together is associated not only with strong families but with strong communities.”Charity means being one and those who come to the Eucharist are to be one with all creation.The families who are bonded with charity to others are also connected with God. This shared action of communion begins at home. It is in the family that we first learn and practice this value towards others. “In the Eucharist, we give thanks to God both for the blessings of creation and redemption.” The Eucharist is our nourishment to promote harmony between human and the rest of creation by the way we live our lives through the guidance of our family. In this way, we commune in the community of God. These are some of the fruits of the Eucharist that we can bring out if we will understand it more deeply.IV. ConclusionThe Eucharist is the one of the best seed that we can plant in the family because it helps them to be strong and united. Families have different backgrounds and yet they still stand as one family. If we understand the true meaning of the Eucharist, we can bear fruits of wisdom. We can use these fruits to build a community of God who takes care of God’s creation. Everybody is equal and everyone is accepted. Where there is love, mercy and joy in the family, human hungers will be fulfilled. The Eucharist as communion should be planted in different soil of the families. ModuleTopic: A Theological Understanding of the Eucharist as Communion in Deepening and Strengthening Family Life.Objectives:a. To have a theological understanding of the Eucharist as Communionb. To deepen their relationship with God and with others.Introduction: This module is intended for the Catechists of St. Francis Xavier Parish. This will set as their guide in BEC seminar about family.Target audience: Parents involved in the churchNumber of participants: 25 parentsAllotted time – 1 hour per dayNumber of day: 3.DAY 1 – EUCHARIST AS COMMUNIONI. Reflect in the song "One Bread, One Body".Q and A: How is the song related to our relationship with God? What particular part of the mass do you receive Jesus?The song signifies our being one with God. We are united as one body. Even we are different to one another, we have one purpose in life. That is to be with God. During communion, we receive the body of Jesus that recognizes our relationship with Him. This communion with God has instituted by Jesus Himself. Let us find it out in the Gospel of Luke.II. Sacred Scripture: The Last Supper (Luke 22: 1-23). III. Talk: Discuss the importance of the Eucharist as communion.Why we go to mass? What is the significance of the Eucharist in our life?Eucharist is a celebration of thanksgiving. It is the source and summit of Christian life. It is the sacrament of love. When we receive Jesus in the Eucharist it is not only?species of bread and wine that we partake, rather it is the body and blood of Jesus Christ that strengthen and nourish our spiritual life. It transforms a person towards good and reconciles with Christ. There’s more than just partaking the body and blood of Jesus Christ, but it leads us to have an intimate relationship with Him. Thus, Communion is understood as having a personal relationship with Jesus.(See on pages 6-9 of the article)Reflection: In what way will I deepen my personal relationship with Jesus?IV. Activity: Faith Sharing. This time the parents will share their experiences where Jesus relates in their life. The time when they felt that Jesus lives in their family as the bread that gives them strength and nourishes their faith. They will be divided into five small groups with five members and will be given 15-20 minutes to share to their group. After the sharing in the small group; three volunteers will be called to share for the big group.Day 2: - SACRED MEAL SATISFIES HUMAN HUNGERReview: The last session, we discussed about the importance of the Eucharist as communion. This session focused on the family in communion with one another. Activity: Pair Share. What is family for you? Why is family important? How will you describe your own family? What are the needs of your family?Picture Analysis: Jesus eats with the sinners and tax collectors2253107447What did you notice in the pictures?Is this possible to happen in our family? How?As parents, how will you satisfy the hunger of your family?Talk: Focus on how Eucharist as a Sacred Meal can satisfy human hunger, not just physically but emotionally, and spiritually. At the Last Supper of Jesus with His apostles, we are not only physically nourished but it is a sacred meal that satisfies our need for love, acceptance, understanding and constant communication. Families gather together not just to share food and drinks to one another but to experience and share this love, mercy, understanding and reconciliation towards others. The family gives us our first experience of “communion” in interpersonal relationships, spiritually and emotionally. These are all important aspects in our lives to deepen and strengthen family relationships. (See on pages 11-12 of the article)Reflection: How will I contribute to deepen and strengthen relationship with my family?V. Activity: Faith Sharing. This time the parents will be given time to reflect and ask themselves what they have done or what supposed to be done to make their family relationships strengthened and deepened by love, joy, mercy, understanding and reconciling with one another. This has to be reflected in our families just the way that we understand our relationship with Jesus. To commune with Jesus is also to commune with others. They will be divided again into five small groups with five members and will be given 15-20 minutes to share to their group.Day 3: EUCHARIST BUILDS UNITY AND BONDS OF CHARITYReview: In the previous session, we reflect on the Eucharist as communion in relation to our family relationship. If we build love, good communication and forgiveness, we may satisfy human hunger and commune with our family.Activity: Community building. The parents will build a strong community using straws in their small groups. What are the characteristics of strong community? How will I build these in our family?Video watching: How beautiful by Twila ParisWhat did Jesus do to His disciples? What is the significance of Jesus’ washing of the feet? Why did Jesus crucify on the cross?Jesus set an example of service to His disciples. A good and strong community is built not only with love, joy and forgiveness but also in true service that we did. We commune with our community if we built good relation by doing charity and giving our hand to those who are in need. Mother Theresa, a missionary of charity is another model. As she said, “By blood, I am Albanian; by citizenship, an Indian; by faith, I am Catholic nun. As to my calling, I belong to the world. As to my heart, I belong entirely to the heart of Jesus” . She commune with others by doing sacrifice for the sake of others.Talk: How the Eucharist as communion can build/strengthen family life and united community? Through unity and charity of a family, we may deepen our relationship with others and build a strong community. We build the community of God by showing our love and concern not only to our family but for the all creation of God. (See on pages 12-14 of the article)Reflection: How will I contribute to deepen and strengthen relationship with my community?Faith sharing. The parents will be given time to think on how to build good relationship with the creation. They will share their plans and purpose in living here on earth. ................
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