it obscure the presence of Jesus? Do Mass-goers manifest the presence of Christ through their witness of life, charity, and mission? Do our parish communities provide an experience of Jesus’ 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’ word and gift of self? … 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. Will you stay? You can be happy. After the departure 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” (Jn 6:68). 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 us. So, I ask you, dear brothers and sisters, will you stay with Jesus? 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 (Mk 6:30-34)? Go and share Jesus’ tender love to the weary, the hungry, and the suffering. Have you experienced Jesus’ compassion and guidance when you were like sheep without the shepherd? Go and share Jesus’ shepherds’ caress to the lost, confused, and weak. Have you experienced Jesus’ wounded Heart uniting those who are separated from each other, as St. Paul states in his letter to the Ephesians (Eph 2:13-18)? Go! Go! Go! Now, go and share Jesus’ 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.” So, a Eucharistic people is a missionary and evangelizing people. Go! Go! Go! 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! “A Eucharistic people is a missionary and evangelizing people. Let us go to proclaim Jesus zealously and joyfully for the life of the world!” Marian Helper • Fall 2024 • Marian.org 13
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