Cardinal Luis Tagle's homily at the Clossing Mass of the 2024 National Eucharistic Congress

Summary

In this inspiring homily, the speaker emphasizes the importance of Eucharistic conversion and its connection to missionary zeal. Drawing from the Gospel of John, the message encourages believers to view themselves and others as gifts, reflecting on Jesus's mission to give his flesh for the life of the world. The speech challenges the congregation to embrace gratitude, self-giving, and to actively share the gift of Jesus's presence with others, fostering a community of faith that is both evangelizing and mission-driven.

Takeaways

• 🙏 The Pope sends blessings and hopes for the renewal of the church and society.
• 🌐 The theme of the National Eucharistic Congress is based on the Gospel of St. John, emphasizing Jesus as a life-giving gift sent by the Father.
• 🎁 Jesus's mission is to be a gift to others, which is fulfilled through his self-giving in the Eucharist.
• 🤔 A lack of missionary zeal may be due to a weakening appreciation of gifts and self-giving.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 We should view ourselves and others as gifts, not just as objects or problems.
• 🍞 To receive Jesus means to believe in him and partake in his flesh and blood, as described in John 6.
• 🚶‍♂️ Many disciples left Jesus because they found his teachings difficult, questioning his mission and divine origin.
• 🗣️ Jesus asks if we too want to leave like the others, challenging us to stay committed to his presence.
• 💖 Those who choose to stay with Jesus will be sent on mission, embodying his presence and love for others.
• 🌟 A Eucharistic people are called to be missionary and evangelizing, sharing the gifts they have received from the Heavenly food.

Q & A

What is the main theme of the National Eucharistic Congress mentioned in the transcript?

The main theme of the National Eucharistic Congress is 'Conversion to the Eucharist', which is derived from the sixth chapter of the Gospel of St. John.

What does Pope Francis wish for the Congress?

Pope Francis wishes that the Congress may bear much fruit for the renewal of the church and society in the United States of America.

How is the Eucharist described in relation to Jesus' mission according to the transcript?

The Eucharist is described as a gift and the fulfillment of Jesus' mission, where Jesus gives his flesh and presence to others as the father wills.

What is the connection between Eucharistic conversion and missionary conversion as discussed in the script?

Eucharistic conversion and missionary conversion are linked through the idea of being sent and being a gift. Jesus is sent to be given by the father to others, and this self-giving is experienced in the Eucharist.

What does the speaker suggest might be causing a lack of missionary zeal?

The speaker suggests that a lack of missionary zeal might be partly due to a weakening in the appreciation of gifts and giftedness, where people focus only on achievement, success, and profit.

How does the speaker relate the concept of 'gift' to our perception of others and our mission?

The speaker relates the concept of 'gift' by asking if we see ourselves, others, our work, and society within the horizon of gift. If we do not see gifts in ourselves and others, we will not go on a mission.

What does the speaker mean when he asks if we see our spouses as gifts or problems?

The speaker is emphasizing the importance of viewing our spouses as gifts from God, which aligns with the theme of the Eucharist as a gift. If we do not see them as gifts, it implies a lack of mission and self-giving in the relationship.

According to the transcript, what is the significance of Jesus' invitation to 'eat his flesh and drink his blood'?

Jesus' invitation to 'eat his flesh and drink his blood' signifies the acceptance of him and the belief in his mission. It represents the ultimate gift of self and is a test of faith for his disciples.

What does the speaker suggest as a reason for people leaving Jesus?

The speaker suggests that people might leave Jesus due to a lack of understanding or acceptance of his most precious gift of eternal life, which is symbolized by the Eucharist.

How does the speaker encourage the congregation to respond to Jesus' question, 'Do you also want to leave me?'

The speaker encourages the congregation to respond like Peter, affirming their belief and conviction that Jesus has the words of eternal life, and expressing their desire to stay with Jesus and not live far from his presence.

What is the final message the speaker conveys about sharing the gift of Jesus?

The final message is that those who choose to stay with Jesus will be sent by him to share the gift of his presence and love with others. It emphasizes that we should not keep Jesus to ourselves but share the gift we have received.

Outlines

00:00

🙏 Opening Blessings and Eucharistic Congress Theme

The paragraph begins with a greeting in multiple languages, followed by an acknowledgment of the audience's understanding. The speaker expresses gratitude to God for the gathering at the closing mass of the national Eucharistic Congress. He conveys Pope Francis's paternal blessings and emphasizes the Pope's message of 'conversion to the Eucharist.' The speaker then introduces the theme of the Congress, drawing from the Gospel of St. John, chapter 6, which discusses Jesus as a life-giving gift sent by the Father. The paragraph concludes with a call for reflection on the link between Eucharistic conversion and missionary conversion.

05:00

🌟 The Connection Between Mission and Gift

This paragraph delves into the concept of Jesus being sent by the Father and the significance of his flesh as a gift. It highlights Jesus's consciousness of his mission and the importance of self-giving. The speaker suggests that a lack of missionary zeal might stem from not viewing life through the lens of gifts. The paragraph challenges the audience to see themselves, their work, and their relationships as gifts, not just achievements or transactions. It warns against a horizon limited to success and profit, which could lead to self-absorption and pessimism, and encourages seeing and giving gifts in all aspects of life.

10:04

👪 The Importance of Seeing Others as Gifts

The speaker poses questions about how people perceive their relationships, particularly spouses, children, and religious leaders, as either gifts or problems. He reflects on the use of artificial intelligence in relationships and the lack of real human connection. The paragraph emphasizes the need to see and give gifts in our interactions, such as attending church with a presence that offers more than just physical attendance. It calls for a deeper appreciation of the Eucharist as a gift and a fulfillment of Jesus's mission.

15:06

🍞 The Challenge of Accepting Jesus as a Gift

This paragraph discusses the difficulty some of Jesus's disciples had in accepting his teachings, particularly the idea of eating his flesh and drinking his blood. It recounts how many disciples left Jesus because they found his words hard. The speaker invites the audience to reflect on why people might reject Jesus's gift and whether the Church's teachings and celebrations effectively convey Jesus's presence. The paragraph also considers the impact of cultural mindsets on faith and the importance of ensuring that all feel welcomed and valued in the community.

20:10

🛐 The Choice to Stay with Jesus

The paragraph focuses on Jesus asking the apostles if they too wish to leave, with Peter's response expressing faith and commitment. It encourages the audience to reflect on their own commitment to Jesus and to consider whether they contribute to others' departure from him. The speaker emphasizes the importance of Eucharistic celebration in manifesting Jesus's presence and the role of the community in providing an experience of his closeness. The paragraph concludes with a call to stay with Jesus and to be sent on mission, sharing the gifts received from the Heavenly food.

25:11

🌎 Sharing the Gift of Jesus with Others

In this paragraph, the speaker shares a personal experience of a woman devoted to the church to illustrate the point that true devotion should not be an escape from family but an expression of love and service. The paragraph concludes with a call to action, urging the audience to share what they have received from Jesus with others. It emphasizes the need to go beyond the church walls and actively proclaim Jesus's love and message in the world.

🏠 The Urgency to Share the Gospel

The final paragraph is a call to action, urging the congregation not to linger in the church but to go out and share the peace and love they have experienced. It emphasizes the importance of not keeping Jesus to oneself but instead sharing the gift of his presence and love with others. The speaker encapsulates the message that a Eucharistic people are naturally missionary and evangelizing, and should actively participate in spreading the faith.

Keywords

💡Eucharist

The Eucharist refers to the Christian sacrament that commemorates Jesus' Last Supper with his disciples. It is a central theme in the video, symbolizing Jesus' gift of his flesh and blood for the life of the world. The speaker emphasizes the importance of 'conversion to the Eucharist,' suggesting a spiritual transformation that involves embracing the Eucharist as a central part of one's faith and life.

💡Missionary Conversion

Missionary conversion is the process of becoming a missionary or evangelist, spreading one's faith to others. The video connects this concept to Eucharistic conversion, suggesting that a deep appreciation of the Eucharist can inspire individuals to become missionaries, sharing their faith and the gift of Jesus with others.

💡Gift

The term 'gift' is used throughout the video to describe Jesus' self-offering in the Eucharist. It also extends to the idea that each person is a gift to others, and that recognizing and giving gifts—whether material, emotional, or spiritual—is essential to living a mission-oriented life. The video challenges viewers to see themselves and others as gifts.

💡Presence

Presence in the video refers to the physical, spiritual, or emotional availability one offers to others. It is particularly used in the context of the Eucharist, where Jesus' presence is given in the form of bread and wine. The speaker encourages the congregation to give their presence as a gift, to be fully present in their interactions with others, especially in communal worship.

💡Zeal

Zeal in this context refers to passionate and enthusiastic commitment to a cause or belief. The video discusses a potential lack of missionary zeal and suggests that a deeper appreciation of the Eucharist can reignite this zeal, motivating individuals to actively share their faith.

💡Belief

Belief is central to the video's message, as it is the acceptance of Jesus and his teachings. The speaker discusses how belief in Jesus is necessary to accept him as a gift, which is a prerequisite for partaking in the Eucharist and for missionary work.

💡Self-Giving

Self-giving is the act of offering oneself for the benefit of others, which is a key aspect of the video's message. It is exemplified by Jesus' self-sacrifice and is encouraged as a way of life for believers. The video suggests that true missionary zeal comes from a place of self-giving.

💡Faith

Faith is a recurring theme in the video, described as a personal conviction or trust in God. It is presented as a gift that individuals give to Jesus and, in turn, something that empowers them to stay with Jesus and to be sent on mission.

💡Renewal

Renewal in the video refers to the process of renewal of the church and society. The speaker hopes that the Eucharistic Congress will bear fruit, leading to a renewal that is both spiritual and societal, reflecting a transformation that begins with individual believers and extends to the wider community.

💡Family of Faith

The term 'family of faith' is used to describe the community of believers gathered for the Eucharistic Congress. It emphasizes the unity and interconnectedness of all who share the same faith, suggesting that the church is not just a collection of individuals but a family bound together by their shared beliefs and commitments.

💡Gratitude

Gratitude is the quality of being thankful, and in the video, it is linked to the recognition and appreciation of gifts. The speaker suggests that a lack of gratitude can lead to a focus on self-affirmation and individualism, whereas an attitude of gratitude opens the door to self-giving and mission.

Highlights

The Pope's paternal blessings for the renewal of the church and society in the United States.

The theme of the national Eucharistic Congress is based on the Gospel of St. John, emphasizing the gift of Jesus's flesh for the life of the world.

Jesus's mission is to be given by the father to others, emphasizing self-giving and presence.

The Eucharist as a privileged moment to experience Jesus's mission as a gift of himself.

The importance of recognizing oneself and others as gifts, not just achievements or objects.

The absence of gratitude and self-giving in a society focused on achievement, success, and profit.

The challenge to see gifts in persons and events, and the consequences of not doing so.

The question of whether people see their spouses as gifts or problems, and its impact on their mission.

The role of children in recognizing their parents as gifts or burdens.

The importance of clergy seeing their roles as gifts in service to others.

The challenge of recognizing the presence of Jesus in the Eucharist and its impact on missionary zeal.

The need for Biblical, catechetical, and liturgical formation to allow Jesus's presence to shine.

The question of whether parish communities provide an experience of Jesus's closeness and caring.

The importance of families as primary teachers and transmitters of the faith.

The challenge of cultural mindsets that may hinder the faith in Jesus's word and gift of self.

The invitation to stay with Jesus and the importance of not living far from his presence.

The call to share Jesus's tender love with the weary, hungry, and suffering.

The Pope's hope that participants of the Congress will share the gifts they receive from the Heavenly food with others.

The story of a woman devoted to the church as a means to avoid her family, highlighting the need for genuine presence and mission.

The closing call to proclaim Jesus zealously and joyfully for the life of the world.

Transcripts

good morning to all of you good

[Music]

morning oh

[Applause]

Jen do

wasin

now that's Chinese

Chia

boang wow they understood

me that's

Vietnamese

katam nobody

understood it's supposed to be Malay

quili my dear brothers and

sisters we thank our god father Son and

Holy

Spirit The God Who is love for Gathering

us as a family of Faith at this closing

mass of the national Eucharistic

Congress I bring to you the fatherly the

paternal blessings of his Holiness Pope

[Applause]

Francis the Holy Father praise and as we

all do that the Congress May bear fruit

much fruit for the renewal of the church

and of society in the United States of

America before coming here I asked the

Holy Father if he had a message for

you he

said conversion to the

Eucharist conversion to the

Eucharist then he turned to me and said

behave well

since the Eucharistic Congress will be

followed by a sending of Eucharistic

missionaries I would like to offer some

points for

reflection on the connection the link

between Eucharistic conversion and

missionary

conversion the first point

the theme of our national Eucharistic

Congress is taken from the sixth chapter

of the Gospel of St

John in the fullness of time the father

sent his Eternal

Word who became

flesh through the Holy

Spirit he was present Among Us human

beings as one like Like Us in the

flesh except in

sin the son sent by the father came as a

lifegiving gift a gift in the human

flesh of

Jesus My Flesh for the life of the world

Jesus himself

declares we should note that Jesus's

description of his being sent by the

father is always connected to the gift

of his flesh for

others being sent and being a

gift in the Gospel of John chapter 6

verse

38 Jesus

says for I came down from from Heaven

not to do my will but the will of the

one who sent

me Jesus has a profound

consciousness of having been

sent on being on a

mission he also says in John

6:32 my father gives you the true bread

from heaven

but what is this

bread he says in verse

35 I am the bread of

life Jesus is sent to be given by the

father to others sent to be a gift he is

not

sent just to wander around and to enjoy

himself

he is sent to be

given the

missioner is a

gift mission is not just about

work but also about the gift of

oneself 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 this is my body for

you my blood for you always for you for

all never for me for you for all

in Jesus mission and gift of self

meet the Eucharist is a privileged

moment to experience Jesus's mission as

a gift of

himself dear

friends it occurred to me that where

there is a lack or a weak in of

missionary

Zeal maybe it is partly due to a

weakening in the

appreciation of gifts and

giftedness do we still look at

ourselves at persons at objects at our

work at

Society at the events of daily life and

that

creation within the

Horizon of

gift or is this

Horizon

disappearing if our

Horizon is only that of

achievement

success and

profit there is no room to see and

receive gratuitous gifts

there is no place for

gratitude and

self-giving there will only be a

Relentless search for

self-affirmation that eventually becomes

oppressive and

tiring leading to more self-absorption

or

individualism and when pessimism takes

over we see only

Darkness

failures

problems things to complain

about we do not see gifts in persons and

events and those who do not see gifts in

themselves and in others will not give

gifts they will will not go on a

mission in

fact I heard that some people prefer to

relate with so-called friends or

dates generated by artificial

intelligence because they do not see

gifts in real Flesh and Blood persons

husbands and wives who are here may I

know who are married here husbands and

wives

wow husbands and

wives what do you see in each other a

gift or a

[Music]

problem the answer is not

clear then no wonder there is no Mission

between husband and wife if you don't

see them as gifts then wow wow

children are there children

here yeah I think all of us are

children children what do you see in

your parents a gift or an ATM car

hard parents parents what do you see in

your children a gift or a

burden priests and

deacons what do you see in your

[Applause]

Bishops I'm sorry h

religious men and

women what do you see in your religious

superiors

Bishops what do you see in your priests

and

deacons oh W they say

problem gifts gifts

gifts

friends what do you see in a poor

person in a homeless person in a sick

person what do you see in a person in

someone who differs from

you like

Jesus let us give let us give a gift of

presence to each

other go to

church go to Mass

with the gift of your

flesh your singing voice your sweat your

tears your

smiles Jesus gives his flesh why can we

not give him in the community the gift

of our fleshly presence

my second

point is Jesus a gift or a

problem a

gift well Jesus told his listeners in

the Gospel of John chapter

6 that to receive him to accept him

means first to believe in him and

secondly to eat his flesh and drink his

blood the disciples who were initially

eager to listen to him started

doubting they said this saying is hard

it's hard it's difficult difficult who

can accept

it they also questioned whether Jesus

had been sent by

God since they knew him as the son of

Joseph and

Mary as a result of this many of his

disciples left

him meaning and I quote they returned to

their former way of of life and no

longer accompanied him they returned to

their former way of life and no longer

accompanied

him they returned to a way of

life without

Jesus they chose his

absence rather than his presence

in their

lives instead of accompanying him they

walked

alone their rejection of the gift of

Jesus's word body and blood

meant they would not walk with

him and neither could he send them on

[Music]

Mission I invite you dear de brothers

and

sisters to pause and ask rather painful

questions about this mysterious

rejection of Jesus by his

disciples by his

disciples is it

possible that we his

disciples contribute also to the

departure of others

from

[Music]

Jesus why do some people leave Jesus

when he is giving the most precious gift

of eternal

life why do some bad ties turn away from

the gift of Jesus in the

Eucharist thus our Biblical catechetical

and lurgical

formation allows the gift of Jesus's

person to shine forth

clearly does

our Eucharistic

celebration manifest Jesus's

presence or does it

obscure the presence of

Jesus do Mass goers manifest the

presence of

Christ through their WI goodness of Life

charity and

Mission do our Parish communities

provide an experience of Jesus's

closeness and

caring are our families still the

primary teachers and transmitters of the

faith do the youth feel listened to and

heard about their search for

Jesus what cultural mindsets challenge

the faith in Jesus's word and gift of

self now I shift my line of questioning

maybe there are people who desire to be

present with the Lord but they hesitate

to come

like the

poor the

homeless the

migrants the

refugees the indigenous

people the hearing

impaired the

elderly and many other hidden people who

might feel they do not

belong but let us not lose heart Jesus

will not get tired of coming to us with

the gift of himself even when he is

wounded this leads me to the third and

final

point you can be

happy after after after the departure of

of some

disciples Jesus asked the 12

apostles do you also want to

leave Simon Peter answered

him Master to whom shall we

go you have the words of eternal life we

have come to believe and are

convinced that you are the Holy One Of

God Jesus is asking each one of us do

you also want to leave me like the

others I hope we can answer like

Peter we will stay with you

Lord we refuse to live far from your

presence

but let these not be empty

words like Peter we should believe with

conviction Jesus does not impose himself

on anyone he appeals to our interior

Freedom faith and

conviction are our gifts to

Jesus who gives himself to to us so I

ask you dear brothers and sisters will

you stay with

Jesus okay I'm not

finished those who choose to stay with

Jesus

will be sent by

Jesus 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 have you

experienced the tenderness of Jesus

towards his tired

disciples offering them time to rest and

to eat as recounted in the gospel

today go and share share Jesus's tender

love to the weary the hungry and the

suffering have you experienced Jesus's

compassion and

guidance when you were like sheep

without a

Shepherd go and share Jesus's Shepherd's

caress to the Lost confused and weak

have you experienced Jesus's Wounded

Heart uniting those who are separated

from each

other as St Paul States in his letter to

the

Ephesians now go and share Jesus's gift

of reconciliation and peace to those who

are

divided in his letter to me Pope Francis

expressed The Hope and I

quote that the participants of the

Congress fully aware of the universal

gifts they receive from Heavenly food

May impart them to

others end of

quote fully aware of the gifts they have

received from the Heavenly food may they

impart them to

others so a Eucharistic people is a

missionary and

evangelizing

people now I'm really closing this

now let me close by sharing an

experience when I was a parish

priest I noticed a woman a woman

who was

extraordinarily devoted to the

church on

Sundays she arrived early early in the

morning to help in all the masses and

other

activities and went home only when the

church had been cleaned up and the doors

closed one day I thanked her for her

dedication

and I also thanked her family for

allowing her to

serve her

answer surprised me she

said

father do not worry about my

family I stay here in church and attend

all

masses because I do not want to see my

husband and children

I wish every day were a

Sunday so I could avoid my

family dear friends when the priest or

Deacon says the mass is ended go in the

Peace of Christ please go

[Applause]

go do not spend the whole day drinking

coffee with

monor with father go go

go and what you have heard touched and

tasted you must share with

others we have received the gift of

Jesus let us go to Proclaim Jesus

zealously and joyfully for the life of

the world

[Applause]