JESUS. IS. HERE.
There was no need for His introduction, nor hype from the emcees. Expectations were left at the door after the first ten minutes of the opening session at the 10th National Eucharistic Congress. We were part of a historic moment, and we knew it.
In America, football normally reigns as king — this we also knew. But for these five days in Indianapolis, Jesus took His rightful place on the throne amongst over 60,000 souls. His throne was set at what normally serves as the 50-yard line of Lucas Oil Stadium, home of the Indianapolis Colts. This stadium is the annual host of the NFL’s pre-draft combine, where some of the world’s premier athletes showcase their life’s work in preparation and hope for the possibility of a life-changing call on draft night. The country’s attention is drawn to the stadium as generations of families are changed by a single phone call.
For once, this famous arena was reserved for a single person. The massive space was reserved for Jesus Christ. All eyes were on Him. Crowds had come from all corners of the country for Him — to be with Him, to sit with Him, to be healed by Him. From its opening to its final moments, Jesus was the Most Valuable Person (MVP) of the Congress.
More Than Five Days of Fame
The five days were set in what conference veterans found to be a familiar setting, albeit on a much grander scale. While the scene looked familiar, with it came a unique feeling that seemed to be the result of the Holy Spirit moving in a space where so many people were longing for renewal.
The Church was fully alive in a way that I’ve never seen. We were challenged to embrace the reality that we are united in Christ as one body, yet in need of healing. Revival and repentance are movements of the Holy Spirit. His movements guide us toward Christ. How will we respond to these movements?
“Your Christianity is not for you. Christianity is not a self-help program, something designed just to make us feel better about ourselves. Your Christianity is for the world.”
– Bishop Robert Barron
Repentance was a theme woven throughout the Congress. There’s real work to be done by all of us, whether we’re bishops or religious sisters or parents or students. We are called to see each other as brothers and sisters, as parts of a beautifully diverse and mystical body of Christ, united in the Eucharist.
“Sometimes our problem is ignorance. What we need is knowledge, and the road to knowledge is truth. Sometimes our problem is indifference. Sometimes it’s ‘I don’t know’; too often it is ‘I don’t care’.”
– Father Mike Schmitz
Revival requires repentance. The result, or the “fruit,” of repentance is unity.
Repentance is more than an apology. It’s choosing to see others as brothers and sisters. It’s caring for the poor. It’s living with the fruits of the Holy Spirit, fruits like peace and kindness.
These hallmarks of the Christian life were seen within the sections of the stadium, in the streets of Indianapolis, and in the hallways of the convention center. Witnessing these “moments of encounter” amongst the Body of Christ reinforced who was at the center of all this.
Jesus Is Still Here
The National Eucharistic Congress was a truly transcendent chapter in time. It was marked by beauty in its production, by reverence observed in its liturgies, by truth that will be echoed for generations, and especially by the blessing of communal worship. These moments will have ripple effects for years to come.
Even if you weren’t able to attend the Congress, Jesus is still the MVP of your life. We can experience personal revival whenever we choose to see God in our brothers and sisters and in the Eucharist. The humble King is still here in our midst, and He has called us to GO!
It’s time, and we must go and share the gift of the Eucharist. Jesus said, “This is my body which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” (Luke 22:19) This is our call: share the gift. Pass on what you have received. And strive for holiness, because as Chris Stefanick said, “When you’re face to face with the beauty of sanctity, you just want it.” That’s the game plan! It’s nothing new. This is our time.
Instead of MVP chants this upcoming football season, it is chants of thousands in thanksgiving that will echo in my heart: “Viva, Cristo Rey!” – “VIVA!”
“Knowledge can make one great, but only love can make you a saint.”
– Father Mike Schmitz
(Photo by Jacob Bentzinger in partnership with the National Eucharistic Congress)
