The Basic Ecclesial Community

Rediscovering A New Way of Becoming a Church

The Basic Ecclesial Community is defined as « a new way of being a

Church ».

The BEC according to PCP II

It is a small faith community of

Christians, gathered together around the Word of God and the

Eucharist, striving to integrate their to integrate their

faith in their daily lifefaith in their daily life, in solidarity with one solidarity with one

anotheranother, , action for justiceaction for justice, and a vibrant celebration of a vibrant celebration of

life in the liturgylife in the liturgy. (PCP II 138-139)

Anthropological and Anthropological and Sociological Sociological BackgroundBackground

Person-oriented Relational Community-oriented Spirit-oriented

Filipinos are naturally known as:

A General View on A General View on the Human Personthe Human Person

The Subject ( I ) The Horizontal (I + You = We) The Vertical (We & God)

The word « being » The word « being » means…means…

not something static but dynamic.

not abstract but concrete.

not a finished product but a process of becoming.

not dead but living.

We are the Church!We are the Church!

Underlying Key Points:

The Human Person The Community The Triune God

Theological-Biblical Theological-Biblical Foundations on the BECFoundations on the BEC

Acts 2:41-47

Acts 2: 41-47So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day 3,000 souls. And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teachings and fellowship, to the breaking of the bread and the prayers. And fear came upon every soul; and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common; and they sold their possessions and goods and distributed them to all, as any had needed. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking the bread in their homes, they partook of food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favour with all the people.

The BEC, as part of the Church, The BEC, as part of the Church, share in the 3-fold functions of share in the 3-fold functions of

JesusJesus

Prophet Priest King

PROPHET they devoted

themselves to the apostles’ teachings

Kerygma Deepening of

their Christian Faith (Catechesis)

PRIEST fellowship, the

breaking of the bread and the prayers attending the temple together and breaking the bread in their homes

Leitourgia Prayer and Worship Celebration of the

Sacraments

KING And all who believed

were together and had all things in common; and they sold their possessions and goods and distributed them to all, as any had needed

they partook of food with glad and generous hearts, praising God

Diakonia Service: Faith that

Does Justice

Characteristics of a BEC:

A Human Community Small in number A Christian Community Unity in the midst of diversity Witnessing the Gospel and the

Kingdom of God (God’s Presence)

Conclusion:

A BEC: Learns Lives Loves In the Spirit of

Jesus