Cardinal Tagle invites Catholics to share God’s gifts

By Vatican News

Reflecting on the theme of the National Eucharistic Congress, taken from the Gospel of John, “Abide in me,” Pope Francis’ special envoy to the event highlighted the mission of Jesus as a gift from the Father.

“Jesus is sent to be given by the Father to others,” Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle said in his homily, and he explained that the Eucharist sums up this gift, since Jesus offers his body and blood for the life of the world.

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

He challenged the faithful to view their own lives and the world through the prism of giving rather than mere achievement.

“Do we still look at ourselves, at people, at objects, at work, at society, at events and at creation in the horizon of the gift?” he asked, warning that losing this perspective leads to self-centeredness and a lack of missionary zeal.

The Pain of Leaving Jesus

Cardinal Tagle addressed the difficult reality of the disciples who abandoned Jesus, as recounted in the Gospel of John, chapter 6, and he invited introspection to know if the actions of the Church sometimes contribute to this estrangement.

“Is it possible that we, the disciples, contribute to the alienation of 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, ensuring that they feel part of the ecclesial community.

A call to Eucharistic missionaries

Cardinal Tagle said those who choose to stay 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 said, and he called on the faithful to share the love and compassion they have received from Jesus with the weary, the lost and the divided.

Message from Pope Francis

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

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

This is the story of a woman whose extraordinary dedication allowed her to be present at the Church on all occasions and at all times. But when he thanked her for her dedication and asked her to thank her family for allowing her to serve, she responded that her constant presence came from the fact that she wanted to avoid her family.

“When the priest or deacon says, ‘The 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.