by John Andrews
Catholic speaker Chris Stefanick noted during this morning’s Revival Session that “two-thirds of God’s name is, Go.”
On the final day of the National Eucharistic Congress, Stefanick was one of many who was helping us look forward, focusing on how we can take all the joy and inspiration of the event back to our ministries at home. “We should not keep Jesus to ourselves. That is not discipleship,” said Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle plainly during his homily at this morning’s closing Mass. Even the volunteers outside Lucas Oil Stadium got into the act, shouting as we walked in this morning, “take it with you, we don’t want it!” (not sure about that last part).
I’m sitting at Indianapolis airport now and (of course) my flight has been delayed a couple of hours. So, reflecting on the week, I think there were a couple of important purposes. First, was to remind, renew, recapture, rejuvenate, (many RE words apply) attendees’ connection to Jesus in the Eucharist. I would venture to guess that most of the people at the Congress are observant Catholics, likely involved in a ministry and perhaps even leading others in ministry. Yet, it was important for us to rediscover Jesus, in a sense, this week. Several speakers called us to find our “first love” again in the Lord. The second purpose is for us to take that love of Christ and bring it to our brothers and sisters back home in a true spirit of evangelization and missionary discipleship. The National Eucharistic Revival Committee has one very specific suggestion on how we can do that. “Invite One Back,” is one of four initiatives in the ER Playbook. It invites every Catholic to find just one person in their life who has drifted away from the Church, or one who shows a particular interest in the Church, to return to their faith. For us task-oriented people, this seems like a good, tangible way to put the inspiration of the Congress into practice.
I asked some attendees from our diocese what they are bringing back from Indianapolis that they didn’t have when they arrived.
“An awe and hope for vocations and religious,” said Nichole Rabe. “It made my heart so happy to see how many young joyful religious, seminarians and priests [were there].”
Several hinted that the connecting with the love of Christ at the Congress will change the way they approach others.
“For me to give love in serving others I have to be open to receive it from love, itself – Jesus Christ,” said Madeline Jimenez.”
“I have been inspired by the Congress to lead with love, rather than try to prove someone wrong to get them to our side,” said Tiffany Wulkopf.
Sister Solimar Ruiz said the Congress reminds us of what we share.
“Our love for Jesus in the Sacrament of the Altar allows us to see the gift in each other,” she said. “We are not a competing Church; we are the church of God and we celebrate everyone’s faith journey. Now we just need to put it into practice. Let’s get working!”
Thank you, Jesus, for enlightening our minds and opening our hearts.
John Andrews is the Vice Chancellor of the Diocese of San Bernardino.