OUR FOUNDING VISION TODAY: CONTEMPLATE THE WORLD WITH THE EYES OF THE SAVIOR

Reflecting on this pivotal constitution of our spirituality, former Oblate Superior General, Fernand Jetté wrote that it : “expresses the purification and transformation that our outlook undergoes when it is in contact with the mystery of the cross:

Through the eyes of our crucified Saviour we see the world which he redeemed with his blood, desiring that those in whom he continues to suffer will know also the power of his resurrection (cf. Phil 3: 10).

CC&RR, Constitution 4

“Our outlook on the world becomes that of Jesus the Savior crucified. It was the Founder’s outlook after his ‘conversion’, how he saw himself and the world in terms of Christ’s blood. The expressions: ‘souls at the price of Christ’s blood’, ‘who have cost him his blood’, recur again and again in his writings. Therese of Lisieux and the Ursuline nun, Mary of the Incarnation, lived similar experiences and their missionary spirit also sprang from the same source.

Farther on, in Rule 12, we will find the complementary expression: ‘to love others as Jesus loves them’. Indeed, the Oblate’s apostolic spirit consists in contemplating the world with the eyes of Christ, loving it with the heart of Christ, and working wholeheartedly with Christ in the work of its redemption.” (F. Jetté, The Apostolic Man, p.58-59)

omi rule

This entry was posted in WRITINGS. Bookmark the permalink.

1 Response to OUR FOUNDING VISION TODAY: CONTEMPLATE THE WORLD WITH THE EYES OF THE SAVIOR

  1. Eleanor Rabnett, Oblate Associate says:

    “Contemplate the world with they eyes of of the Saviour.” Whoa – wait a minute. I seem to know instinctively that I must let go of whole big bunch of things in order to do that. My first reaction is that “I” must first let go of the anger and impatience in my heart; that “I” must let go of and surrender my hurts and struggles that often fill my heart; that “I: must walk through my fears that fill my heart. The words ‘dare it all” are whispered faintly behind the noise and clamour of my thoughts and distractions, behind that “I”. And just as easily I think that perhaps “I” don’t have to do all that. All I need to do is look into and through the eyes of my Saviour – Jesus on the Cross, Resurrected. I know this from experience. I know that God will empty my heart so as to have it filled with love – He will take care of all those things that on my own “I” can’t do. He will transform my heart.

    Daring – it takes great daring – just as it did for Jesus, for the apostles, for Eugene and I believe for all of us. I cannot imagine that there is a person alive who does not know what fear is (perhaps some have just not recognized it yet for even that takes some daring).

    “…’to love others as Jesus loves them’. Indeed, the Oblate’s apostolic spirit consists in contemplating the world with the eyes of Christ, loving it with the heart of Christ, and working wholeheartedly with Christ in the work of its redemption.” Daunting, daring – even inviting for is this not what I secretly want?

    As I sit here chewing on each word and phrase before swallowing them I am tempted with again my own fears and doubts. I am tempted to look at myself through my own eyes and see what ‘isn’t’ rather than through the eyes of my beloved Savior and so see what is. Fr. Jetté did not mention the word missionary, or having to go to a foreign land, or being male, a priest or a religious. But he did speak of working wholeheartedly with Christ in the redemption of the world.

    My spirit sings Halleluia and I feel my whole being smile and relax. My immediate response is to praise God with a heart that is filled with immense joy and gratitude. This is how I shall start my day, and look forward to my weekend. This Sunday is the Feast of the Ascension and I will be giving the Reflection at our Masses, breaking open the Word of God. I have been a little fearful of this one, my own inadequacies and needs and wounds. I do not want to get in the way of the Spirit and it can be so easy for me to do that and let it become about ‘me’. The words ‘trust in God’ come to mind.
    Do I dare?

Leave a Reply

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