Just like Jesus prepared His disciples for mission, there is a path that we can also take to prepare. The first and most important step is to encounter and deepen our relationship with Jesus. Jesus in the Eucharist invites us to receive His love and allow Him to transform us into His likeness.

It is then important that we all pray that we grow closer to Jesus, encountering Him in the Eucharist. May we be open to Jesus so that we can become who He has called us to be. We only need to be open and receptive of His love for us. Your relationship with Jesus will change your heart, for you, your family, and for those who are waiting for someone to help them on their journey.
That Opening Night of the National Eucharistic Congress, we were reminded that in the beginning, God spoke, “Let there be light,” and there was light. Jesus, the Word of God, revealed Himself as the Light of the World. And that Light was kindled anew in our own hearts in Indianapolis. Jesus is calling all of us to be Eucharistic missionaries, to “walk with one”, so that with Him, we will be the light of the world.

These are 4 Pillars for the YEAR OF MISSION:
Eucharistic encounter.
Eucharistic identity.
Eucharistic life.
Eucharistic mission.

All of us are called not to simply know about God, but to know Him personally. Therefore, we need to encounter Jesus in the Holy Eucharist, person to person, one to one, and we need to be confident in this encounter!

Once we have encountered Him (and continue doing so), we need to form our identities around Him. Everything in our lives should filter through this identity.
We should also form our lives around Him! This does not simply mean making it to Sunday Mass, but truly and intentionally forming our lives around Our Eucharistic Lord. This looks different for everyone!
And finally, the Holy Eucharist is not for us alone. Our encounters, and our lives that become transformed by Jesus, are meant to GO and bring others into the fold. Those who are fed go and feed. Those who are saved go and save.

A Eucharistic missionary embodies these four pillars, and YOU are a Eucharistic missionary! So GO and embrace this beautiful calling! GO and set the world on fire!

(For the 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time, 2024)