LOOKING BACK WITH SATISFACTION

The mission in Barjols ended on 20 December but the fervor of the people continued after the departure of the Missionaries, as Eugene wrote with satisfaction:

The parish priest at Barjols tells me that during the past 18 years he had only ten men at Mass…, whereas, during the mission we heard more than 3000 general confessions and those who made the mission before Christmas came to Holy Communion again on New Year’s Day to prove they had made the firm resolution to carry out their Easter duties.

Letter to M. Arbaud, Vicar General of Digne, January 1819, O.W. XIII n.22

 The Missionaries had given of themselves totally in Barjols as co-operators of the Savior in His mission. They were thus able to rejoice with Him:

At that very moment he rejoiced (in) the holy Spirit and said, “I give you praise, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to the childlike. Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will. 

Luke 10:21

 

Happiness does not come from doing easy work but from the afterglow of satisfaction that comes after the achievement of a difficult task that demanded our best.”

Theodore Isaac Rubin

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3 Responses to LOOKING BACK WITH SATISFACTION

  1. Jack Lau, OMI says:

    “Happiness does not come from doing easy work but from the afterglow of satisfaction that comes after the achievement of a difficult task that demanded our best.”
    Theodore Isaac Rubin

    Great Quote that is speaking to me.

    At this time of new assignments, when we are moving here and there, I think it is time to sit back and simply gaze at the hand of God in All.
    Let gratitude flow,
    Let gratitude flow!
    And when when what we have done continues on,
    Let gratitude flow,
    Let gratitude flow!

  2. Eleanor Rabnett, Oblate Associate says:

    I struggled with this one -not the message(s) because I agreed with everything separately, but could not at first seem to pull it all together. Rather than walk away it was important that I try to work through it and finally had a split-second of light and understanding. “The Missionaries had given of themselves totally in Barjols as co-operators of the Savior in His mission. They were thus able to rejoice with Him: …” was the tie-in. Co-operators of the Saviour in His mission. Spirit filled. Thats what made it all possible and why Eugene could write as he did of the success. There seems to be within me a glimmer of understanding and “knowing” but there is more that I need to be with and reflect on. Thank you.

  3. Eleanor Rabnett, Oblate Associate says:

    Wow Jack – it is just now that I have submitted my thoughts and see what you have written. And I read about “sitting back and gazing”… Thanks

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