IN PREACHING, COUNT A LITTLE MORE ON THE HELP OF GRACE RATHER THAN ON YOUR EXCESSIVE EFFORTS

Marius Suzanne was 24 years old and learning the work of preaching missions. In this letter Eugene guides him by giving him feedback from some of his listeners during the mission in Gap

The Bishop of Gap has written to my uncle; Father Thomas has written to me. The Bishop of Gap wrote to my uncle on another matter; it is in passing that he remarks that you are not doing badly but that the tone of your discourses is too monotonous…
As for you, he relates to me the counsels he has given you concerning your manner of preaching. I am somewhat of his opinion; I am quite pleased that he has made these remarks to you, and desire that you profit from them; but I admit that I would have wished that after all you have done, they would give me more complete details and that they would tell me something more than simply: “They listen to you with pleasure…”
… and count a little more, in regard to the good that you must do, on the help of grace rather than on excessive efforts which you are making. Be more moderate then, you see that this is the advice that everyone gives, and preach in a manner as not to be exhausted and breathless when you finish. This is important for you and for us…

Letter to Marius Suzanne, 29 November 1823, EO VI n 121

 

“Faith is a living, daring confidence in God’s grace, so sure and certain that a man could stake his life on it a thousand times.”     Martin Luther

This entry was posted in LETTERS and tagged , . Bookmark the permalink.

1 Response to IN PREACHING, COUNT A LITTLE MORE ON THE HELP OF GRACE RATHER THAN ON YOUR EXCESSIVE EFFORTS

  1. Eleanor Rabnett, Oblate Associate says:

    I am always in awe and a little surprised at what God gives to us through and in the lives of others, be it a note, a conversation, a posting, a quote. I don’t know why I am surprised, but I am each time, and delighted. God gives me what I need, reminds me.

    I will be giving a short little retreat this coming weekend, based on Eugene’s March 13 Lenten Homily at the Church of the Madeleine. Of course I want it to be really good, I want it to animate, inspire [as in be an agent for others to use and discover]. I really want to be able to share what I have with those around me. As the time draws nearer I find myself worrying, stressing, reviewing what I have prepared, it’s not enough. I need to “let go and let God” as the saying goes. I have prepared and I “know” that God will give me all the words I need. I need to trust in that. “….and count a little more, in regard to the good that you must do, on the help of grace rather than on excessive efforts which you are making.” I must take this to heart.

    “Faith is a living, daring confidence in God’s grace, so sure and certain that a man could stake his life on it a thousand times.” Martin Luther. I either trust in God all the way or I don’t. It’s so easy to do for the little things, when things are swimming along, but when it comes to stepping out, risking – give me the grace of courage and trust O God.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *