I just returned from the 10th National Eucharistic Congress NEC in Indianapolis, IN. Every day of the NEC was a moment of grace; the experiences, testimonies, and teachings about the Eucharist could transform the world if taken with great love, devotion, and adoration of the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ. Bishop Robert Baron said that if there is one commandment we Catholics have consistently followed: Do this in memory of Me. Jesus says: This is my Body This is my Blood; He is God from God, light from light, true God from true God, is the theology of the Church, the theology of the Real Presence. Jesus says: This is my BODY given up for us. And this is my BLOOD shed for us. What becomes truly present is His Body given, and His Blood poured out, and we consumed the Eucharist and become what we eat confirmed unto love unto death.

The Gospel shows us the compassionate heart of Jesus as a Shepherd. Jesus sees the vast crowds of people waiting for Him on the other side of the lake. His heart moved with pity for them; they were like sheep without a shepherd. He sees through their heart, recognizes their needs, and pities them. Meanwhile, the disciples are also tired, have little time to rest, and cannot even find time to eat as people flock to them wherever they go. While working for the vineyard of the Lord, we also need to take care of ourselves. That is the message Jesus wanted to convey to His disciples. They need time to rest, recharge, and reconnect with the FATHER in prayer (in a deserted place).

Discipleship entails being a missionary, for mission is essential to being a disciple. The Father sent the Son, Jesus, to proclaim His Kingdom here and now. Peace be with you. As the FATHER has sent me, so I also send you. (Jn. 20:21) As the Father sent Jesus, Jesus sent His disciples, the twelve (12), to be witnesses. And now, we are also sent by Jesus to be a witness to the whole world. The same is true with the Church. Every disciple is a missionary by their baptism. Disciples sent to continue the Church’s apostolic mission in a communion of faith and life with Jesus. The Christian vocation is, of its nature, a call to the mission. (CCC. 863)

Jesus visited His native place and went to the Synagogue on the day of the Sabbath. Since they heard good things about Him, they asked if He could say something; He took the opportunity to teach them. At first, they loved every word He preached and were astonished at His wisdom. But after a moment, they questioned His credibility and credentials. They could not believe that someone they knew could attain such wisdom and perform mighty deeds, and they took offense at Him. Familiarity breeds contempt. What started as an innocent question turned into contempt, doubt, rejection, and refusal to believe and have faith in Jesus.

The story of the healing and the raising of the dead shows us that Jesus is omnipotent. Two completely different people benefited from Jesus’ divine power: A woman suffering from bleeding for 12 years and a 12yearold girl who had died. In both cases, faith made it possible for the miracle to happen. Take note that the woman with her hemorrhage and the father of the little girl overcame the crowd and put faith in Jesus in their hearts and God’s divine action flowed into their lives.

The disciples were awed and struck after they witnessed what Jesus did. There is power in His words that even the wind and the sea obey Him. They are left pondering the question of the real identity of Jesus. Most of Jesus’ disciples are good Jews. They believe that God alone has power over nature. And yet, they just witnessed a man who seemed to have absolute control over the forces of nature. And the ease that Jesus commanded the winds: Quiet! Be still! How is it that He acted as if with divine power? They did not know He is the Emmanuel; God is with us.

St. Paul says: Walk by faith and not by sight. As Christians, we have faith and total confidence in God. We know the Lord is with us. The introductory dialogue of the Mass reminds us of this truth: The Lord is with you. He is on our side, working for our good. St. Paul believes this because he is a man of faith and trust in God. Unfortunately, not all are at that level in their faith, and many are anxious for fear of losing control of their lives. That is like walking by sight and not by faith.

Scribes who came from Jerusalem must have heard the power of Jesus. What they heard was true; Jesus had power over demons, but instead of ascribing this power to God, they accused Him of acting in the name of Beelzebul, the prince of demons. In the same scene, the crowds criticized Him for being out of His mind or beside Himself because He failed to nourish Himself properly. Sometimes, the ministry could be the most unrewarding service; there will always be people up to the guns of criticizing, judging, and misunderstanding our intentions, methods, and actions. In ministry, most of the time, there is no such thing as a winwin situation: whatever work, service, or ministry.

In the first reading, the blood of animals symbolizes a covenant-making ritual. Sprinkling the blood on the people means God and the people are making the covenant together. The blood has two symbolisms: 1.) Kinship: God and Israel now share the same blood, and 2.) Death: May my blood be shed, like these animals, if I fail to keep my covenant commitment. On the other hand, in the New Testament, the blood of Jesus Christ seals the new covenant. The Holy Eucharist is the sacrifice of the new covenant where His flesh is real food, and His blood is the true drink of the New Covenant, the cup of salvation.

In Christian baptism, the formulae words are: In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. And before receiving the sacrament, they respond to a threepart question when asked to confess the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit with I do. The faith of all Christians rests on the Trinity (CCC. 232). Today, we celebrate the central mystery of our FAITH, God’s mystery, the Holy Trinity.

Today, the Solemnity of Pentecost, we celebrate the Birthday of the Church, the coming of the Holy Spirit that transpired ten (10) days after the Ascension of Our Lord. We go back to the scene when the disciples of Jesus with the Blessed Mother were inside the Upper Room, the Cenacle. Suddenly, they heard from the sky a strong wind that shook the Cenacle,and tongues of fire appeared and settled on those who were there.

Jesus commissioned His disciples at the Ascension to go to the world and proclaim the gospel to every creature. The mandate is to go forth to the world and announce the GOOD NEWS. The World Youth Day, 1995, Manila theme song captures this command:TELL the world of His love!

Let us tell the world of His love, the greatest love the world has known. Search the world for those who have walked astray and lead them home. Fill the world's darkest corners with His light from up above. Walk every step, every mile, every road, and tell the world, tell the world of His love.

Jesus loves us unconditionally and greatly: should we not be convicted by His love? Often, our love for Him is shallow, wavering, and conditional. Yet, He loves us no matter what, and He even calls us His friends, “You are my friends, and I no longer call you slaves.” In truth, we all have a long, long way to go on the road of love. I pray that we all pray the Jesus’ prayer: Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner. Let no one of us be selfrighteous and proud.