Cardinal Tagle Calls For “Missionary Conversion” As He Closes The Eucharistic Congress
The 10th National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis concluded with a stirring celebration of Mass led by Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, the papal envoy and pro-prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization. The 10th National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis concluded with a stirring Mass led by Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, the papal envoy and pro-prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization. Speaking to over 50,000 attendees, Cardinal Tagle emphasized the theme of “Remain in Me” from the Gospel of John, calling for a renewed commitment to both Eucharistic and missionary conversion.
Reflecting on Jesus’ mission as a gift from the Father, Cardinal Tagle noted, “Jesus is sent to be given by the Father to others.” He explained that the Eucharist encapsulates this gift, as Jesus offers His body and blood for the life of the world. He challenged the faithful to view their lives and the world through the lens of gift rather than mere achievement. “Do we still look at ourselves, persons, objects, work, society, events, and creation within the horizon of gift?” he asked, warning that losing this perspective leads to self-absorption and a lack of missionary zeal.
Reflecting on Jesus’ mission as a gift from the Father, Cardinal Tagle noted, “Jesus is sent to be given by the Father to others.” He explained that the Eucharist encapsulates this gift, as Jesus offers His body and blood for the life of the world. He challenged the faithful to view their lives and the world through the lens of gift rather than mere achievement. “Do we still look at ourselves, persons, objects, work, society, events, and creation within the horizon of gift?” he asked, warning that losing this perspective leads to self-absorption and a lack of missionary zeal.
“Mission is not just about work but also about the gift of oneself,” the cardinal said. “Jesus fulfills his mission by giving himself, his flesh, his presence to others as the Father wills it. The presence of Jesus in the Eucharist is a gift and the fulfillment of his mission.”
According to Cardinal Tagle, who is the international leader of The Pontifical Mission Societies, there is “a lack or a weakening of missionary zeal,” and this could be “partly due to a weakening in the appreciation of gifts and giftedness.”
“When pessimism takes over, we see only darkness, failures, problems, things to complain about,” he continued. “We do not see gifts in persons and events. And those who do not see gifts in themselves and in others, they will not give gifts; they will not go on a mission.”
The cardinal asked those present to examine their own consciences in considering why some people choose to walk away from the Eucharistic Lord, preferring “his absence rather than his presence in their lives.”
“I invite you to pause and ask rather painful questions about this mysterious rejection of Jesus by his disciples — by his disciples,” Cardinal Tagle said. “Is it possible that we disciples contribute to the departure of others from Jesus?
“Why do some people leave Jesus, when he is giving the most precious gift of eternal life? Why do some baptized turn away from the gift of Jesus in the Eucharist?” he asked.”Does our biblical, catechetical and liturgical formation allow the gift of Jesus’ person to shine forth clearly? Does our Eucharistic celebration manifest Jesus’ presence or does it obscure the presence of Jesus?”
“Those who choose to stay with Jesus will be sent by Jesus,” he said. “The gift of his presence and love for us will be our gift to people. We should not keep Jesus to ourselves. That is not discipleship. That is selfishness. The gift we have received we should give as a gift.”
He invited them to “share Jesus’ tender love” with “the weary, the hungry and suffering.”