Download - The Basic Ecclesial Community
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