Bishop Zurek Reflects On National Eucharistic Congress

Editor’s Note: Bishop Patrick J. Zurek attended the National Eucharistic Congress July 17-21 in Indianapolis and offers this reflection. This reflection aired originally July 26 and July 28 during The West Texas Catholic: The Audio Version.
 
I had never attended a Eucharistic Congress; hence, I had no idea what to expect. Would we spend a lot of time in Prayer, silence, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, in a classroom or meditation?
 
What could 60,000 people possibly do for five days? This huge gathering of humanity came from 17 countries, speaking 43 languages! Yet, what united this huge gathering of the Faithful of the Catholic Church is their unquestionable love for the Eucharist: the Body and Blood of Christ consecrated by a priest during the Mass!
 
They came from such distances in order to grow in this love for Jesus found in the Eucharist.
 
Could such a large gathering of believers achieve this in five short days?
 
The very first thing that I realized was happening was the realization that we Bishops had no particular agenda. We had no meetings! Like others, we, too, wanted to grow in our love for the Eucharist. So without an agenda, what happened? We began to gather in groups during breaks, at preparation for Mass, at breakfast or at dinners in the evening.
 
For the first time since I was ordained a bishop, we just visited with each other. We got to know each other better; we began new relationships or strengthened existing ones. What a blessing this was!
 
Beyond this “there was such a sense of holy energy that one sensed. Knowledge is necessary for a person of Faith, but only love can make a Saint!” (Father Mike Schmitz)
 
There was a sense that “The Faithful must make a deliberate decision to truly live the Great Commandment of Love of God and Love of Neighbor.” (Pope Francis)
 
“What we need is a new Pentecost. We need to be filled with boldness; to be filled with love, with generosity and to be able to sacrifice everything for the Kingdom of God.”(Mother Alela Galindo)
 
Quite often you hear that the Our Father is the perfect prayer. And in many ways, it is. However, perhaps the Mass could also be called The Perfect Prayer. The following elements certainly emerge during the Celebration of the Most Holy Eucharist.
 
• We begin with the Sign of the Cross:
      ○ At the beginning and at the end
      ○ Which reminds us of the cost of our Redemption
• Then there is the admission of our
      ○ Unworthiness
      ○ And even of our sinfulness
      ○ So we begin with a Pentintential act; Lord have mercy on us
• This is followed by the Readings, which could, should be a preparation for the coming week, Four Readings on a Sunday
     ○ First Reading, Psalm, Second Reading and a Gospel
     ○ Choose a word or a phrase from each of the readings
     ○ Then during the week reflect on those four words or readings
     ○ Open your mind and heart in prayer to the Will of God
     ○ Accept the challenge to the transformation of your own self
• Remember: “Your Christianity is not for you! Christianity is not a self-help program, something designed just to make you feel better ourselves. Your Christianity is for the world!!!” (Bishop Robert Barron)
• Then the Dismissal pronounced by the Deacon or Priest is actually an admonition to the congregation to take action. “The Mass is ended; go in peace and proclaim the Gospel by your life.” (Roman Missal)
• “Those who choose to stay with Jesus til the end will be sent by Jesus… ‘Let us go to proclaim Jesus zealously and joyfully for the life of the world.’” (unknown)
• Finally, “brothers and sisters, we believe that God desires to renew His Church but this renewal will happen through you! And further, in renewing His Church, He will renew the world.” (Bishop Andrew Cozzens)
 
• Three other words help conclude this observation:
   ○ There was an incredible sense of Reverence for the Deacons, Priests and especially for the Bishops
   ○ Included in this was also a great reverence and Gratitude for Consecrated men and women!
   ○ A true sense of a genuine and loving Piety was evident among all the Faithful in attendance
   ○ And finally, an incredible sense of joy and happiness was evident on the faces and in the actions of all in attendance!
 
• From this one can clearly conclude one who attends Mass only to fulfill a duty or an obligation, receives little in grace or transformation into being more and more like Jesus Himself.
   ○ Remember the saying attributed to one of our great Saints, Augustine: “O Christian, you are what you eat. You eat the Body of Christ to become Christ!”
• However, one who participates in the Holy Mass with actual active consciousness and deliberateness, certainly grows in holiness and grace and becomes an example, but more, a Disciple for Jesus Himself!