Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Guadalajara (Fides Service) - “The Eucharist, mystery of communion and mission” was the theme of the 3rd Day of the International Eucharistic Congress on 13 October. The day began with a mass presided by Cardinal Francis Arinze, Prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments who articulated hi homily in three points: The Eucharist Mystery of Communion; the Mission of the Church; the Eucharist sends us on mission.
Reflecting on the teaching on the vine and the branches in the Gospel according to St John 15,5), the Cardinal said that the Eucharist is the source of communion with Christ and with others and the source of mission. “When we receive the Lord in the sacrament of the Eucharist we are united with him in a wonderful way. In the mystery of the Most Holy Eucharist Jesus unites us not only with himself but also amongst ourselves and with others. Taking part in the Body and Blood of Christ we become one Body: the bread is one and although we are many we form one body because we eat of the one Bread” the Cardinal said.
The Eucharist, a mystery of communion with Christ, with others, sends us on mission. Jesus who was sent by the Eternal Father to redeem the world sends his Church to carry the fruits of redemption to all men and women. The Church has a mission to help every man and every women know the one and only God, so that all can find salvation in Jesus Christ the only Saviour of all humanity. In her mission the Church bears witness to Christ and she also works to heal divisions caused by race, social class, economic or political factors or other reasons “this is the way to build the true brotherhood for which we pray after communion in this Mass as a fruit of our reception of the Body and Blood of Christ” Card. Arinze said.
Cardinal Arinze said the apostolate is in the first place an effect of God’s grace and only secondly is it the result of our efforts because “as the vine branch cannot bear fruit on its own, so you too can only bear fruit if you remain in me”(Jn 15, 4). He also said that the Eucharist “is the source and summit of all evangelisation because its goal is to lead people to communion with Christ and through him with the Father and the Holy Spirit”... “it is the Eucharist which enables the Church to bear witness to Christ, martyrs to offer their life for Jesus and missionaries to go to distant lands to proclaim Christ”. It is the Eucharist which teaches us to wash each others feet, to show solidarity to the poor and the needy and to build the community with reciprocal forgiveness, overcoming divisions, promoting social harmony and mutual love and acceptance.
Speaking on the sense of Faith in the Eucharist in Africa Cardinal Peter Kodwo Appiah Turkson, Archbishop of Cape Coast Ghana, gave concrete examples of how African culture and customs help the people to understand and accept faith in the Eucharistic presence of Jesus, although it is always necessary to promote accurate and suitable catechesis on the Mystery in all ist profundity and authentic significance.
In his homily during mass for ,pore than 5,000 night time adorers of the Blessed Sacrament, the legate Cardinal Jozef Tomko said they should never be ashamed to show their love for Jesus and to say that they are members of this wonderful service. He urged them to let Christ fill their lives and to put their love and contemplation into concrete acts of charity to help others . (R.Z.) (Agenzia Fides 14/10/2004; Righe 35; Parole 486)
