Why have a demanding program of personal and spiritual growth? The answer is provided in a threefold goal, which occurs hundreds of times in Eugene’s writings because he insists that it must be kept in mind constantly: “the glory of God, the building of the Church, the salvation of souls.”
What must we, in turn, do to succeed in winning back for Jesus Christ so many souls who have cast off his yoke? We must…
maintain in view exclusively the glory of God, the building of the Church, the salvation of souls
Then he gave the list of virtues necessary in order to achieve this (see the previous entry), after which he hammers again:
be ready to sacrifice our goods, our talents, our rest, our persons and our lives for the love of Jesus Christ, the service of the Church and the sanctification of our neighbor.
1818 Rule, Part One, Chapter One, §3. Nota Bene. Missions, 78 (1951) p. 16
He started the list with the triad, and he repeats it again at the end to stress its importance. It is like the cover of a book that contains the means to oblation in every one of its pages: “for the love of Jesus Christ, the service of the Church and the sanctification of our neighbor.” We find this expression repeatedly in all Eugene’s writings either with three goals: “the glory of God, the good of the Church and the salvation of souls” or as a pair: “for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.”
The golden thread of Eugene’s life was to be “all for God” and it is this same concept that is expressed by living for the “glory of God.” It is summed up in the word OBLATION It is the high point of “imitating the virtues” of Jesus Christ, because the glory of God was the major desire of Jesus as Eugene used to point out:
The entire life of the Savior was totally dedicated to the glory of his Father…
Since I have not imitated my model in his innocence, will I be denied the opportunity to imitate him in his devotion to the glory of his Father and the salvation of men?
Spiritual conference, 19 March 1809, O.W. XIV n.48
The reason for our oblation expressed in community, spirituality and mission, is found in the “litmus-test” that Eugene repeatedly used for discernment and decision making until his death: “Is it for the glory of God, for the good of His Body, the Church, and for the salvation of others?”
“Our ideal is an absolute and enthusiastic commitment, a total availability to God and to souls for God, drawn from contemplation and in interior union with God” Leo Deschâtelets OMI, former Superior General
The litmus test of “oblation”. Am thinking that I’m not sure I want to go there – might have to make it real! And then “the glory of God, the building of the Church, the salvation of souls.” The glory of God – okay I can do that – not sure how but it might be possible. ….the building of the church…. the salvation of souls! Me? It all sounds really nice and holy but if I start to look at the words and look at them in my life? Oblation – a great word, a holy word even – but in my life? I am a wee bit ashamed to admit that my first thought was – this is just for priests – it doesn’t apply to me – and even as I’m thinking that I realise what I am doing – could walk away from this right now and go about the rest of my day. But you know how that works – once the thought is there and you face it – then it’s too late to ignore and turn away from it. So now I am thinking maybe I need to start at the beginning and reread it. Did that a few times.
“Is it for the glory of God, for the good of His Body, the Church, and for the salvation of others?” Is it? Sometimes it might be, it is – not always, but sometimes it is. I like what Leo Deschâtelets OMI said about it being “Our ideal is an absolute and enthusiastic commitment, a total availability to God and to souls for God, drawn from contemplation and in interior union with God”. Perhaps if I can start with the first part about the commitment and total availability to God – work towards that and then rest might follow.
You know when I first met these Oblates and read about Eugene – it was all very romantic and holy – a real glow on everything. Now I think there just might be more questions than answers, for sure equal amounts of joy and struggle, and as many strengths that I grow into there seem to be at least the same number (if not more) of weaknesses. And – I think that might be normal! Thank you Eugene!
What a difference a year makes and yet it is all the same. My weaknesses still there, for it is almost the same words that I want to shy away from and even though I know it not to be true, know it in a lived way, there is still a small part of me that sometimes wants to say – well maybe he is talking only to priests here.
I again look at Eugene’s threefold goal: “the glory of God, the building of the Church, the salvation of souls.” A year ago a very small possibility, and I wrote that if I started with one the other two might follow. And I think they are. All for the glory of God. It has grown and changed, less certain and yet with total surety. The deeper (that is the only word that seems to describe it very well) the deeper I go and become one with God the less I can give words to it (at least words that truly satisfy what my being is becoming).
The Church in all of her goodness, and humanness, and the salvation of others. Over the past year my love for the Church has grown, I have become more a part of her than I would ever have thought possible. Surely a wonderful gift from God because it did not come about due to anything from my “doings”. My struggles with some in the Church have grown, with some of the rules and laws of the Church which seem strike at the very heart of all of us, with some of the practices. And yet still I see and find God in all of this. My struggles with myself, my messiness and weaknesses and fears, it looks like the Church suffers from the same thing. And yes, some of the struggle is likely due to a lack of knowledge on my part – but not all of it. I love what I am seeing with Pope Francis, there is such great hope and I thank God for him and what he is giving. It might not immediately answer all of my questions or wants, but the flow is there – just as it has been for me in the past year, since I started to look at my “all for the glory of God” and what has begun to flow out from that.
As for “the salvation of souls” – well maybe it’s coming. You won’t find me up there preaching at the pulpit, and I doubt that anyone who joins our faith, or has a personal experience of the love of God will ever say that it happened to them because of something I personally said. But the desire for me to share what I have been given grows. It is fuelled from something much deeper than just a way to feed my ego, for it’s not directed at me. The love that God has filled me with, such an awesome gift and all that I can do is turn around and share it with those around me (and even that seems to be more than I am capable of sometimes). It is all God. And in that there is an abundance of awe and surprise and gratitude.
The litmus test of “oblation”. I have neither failed it nor surpassed. I live it, like the rest of us in this Mazenodian family, one day at a time, in a specific way that allows me to give my all to God, in partnership with the Oblates. It is the stuff of everyday with God, with the Church, with all those I meet.