Cardinal Tagle invites Catholics to share God’s gifts

The National Eucharistic Congress in the American city of Indianapolis will conclude with a celebration of Mass and a homily by Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, who calls for a renewed commitment to eucharistic and missionary conversion.

July 21, 2024

Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle celebrates Holy Mass at the National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis

INDIANAPOLIS: Reflecting on the theme of the National Eucharistic Congress, from the Gospel of John “Abide in Me,” Pope Francis’ special envoy for the event emphasized the mission of Jesus as a gift from the Father.

“Jesus was sent to be given by the Father to others,” Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle said during his homily. He explained that the Eucharist embodies this gift, as Jesus offers his body and blood for the life of the world.

The cardinal, who is pro-prefect for the Evangelization Section of the Dicastery for Evangelization, celebrated Holy Mass during the National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis, Indiana, which concluded on Sunday, July 21.

He challenged believers to view their own lives and the world from the perspective of a gift, rather than merely an achievement.

“Do we still see ourselves, persons, objects, work, society, events and creation within the horizon of the gift?” he asked, warning that losing this perspective leads to egocentrism and a lack of missionary zeal.

The Pain of Leaving Jesus
Cardinal Tagle addressed the difficult reality of disciples abandoning Jesus, as described in the Gospel of John, chapter 6. He also invited us to reflect on whether the actions of the Church sometimes contribute to this departure.

“Is it possible that we, the disciples, contribute to alienating others from Jesus?” he asked, urging a deeper engagement with the Eucharist and its transformative power.

He also stressed the need to welcome those who feel marginalized, such as the poor, migrants and the elderly, and ensure that they feel part of the church community.

A Call to Eucharistic Missionaries
Cardinal Tagle said that those who choose to remain with Jesus must also be willing to be sent by Him.

“We must not keep Jesus to ourselves. That is not discipleship. That is selfishness,” he declared, calling on believers to share the love and compassion they have received from Jesus with the weary, the lost and the divided.

Message from Pope Francis
Finally, Cardinal Tagle conveyed the blessings and prayers of Pope Francis, who he said wrote him a letter expressing the hope “that the participants in the Congress, fully aware of the universal gifts they receive from heavenly food, may transmit them to others.”

The papal legate concluded his speech with a story from his time as a parish priest, which he said illustrates the need to live the Eucharist in daily life.

It is the story of a woman whose extraordinary dedication made her a constant presence in the church, everywhere she went. But when he thanked her for her dedication and asked her to thank her family for allowing her to serve her, she said her constant presence was because she wanted to avoid her family.

“When the priest or deacon says, ‘Mass is over. Go in the peace of Christ,’ please go! What you have heard, touched and tasted, you must share with others,” he exclaimed.–Vatican News