… we have complementary responsibilities in evangelizing.
CC&RR, Constitution 7
Those who are captivated by and feel called to live Eugene’s charism usually discern the desire to make some form of commitment to this way of life.
The vowed Oblate missionaries express their commitment as an oblation:
Novitiate formation ends with a free and faith-filled commitment in the Oblate Congregation. The novice, having experienced the Father’s love in Jesus, dedicates his life to making that love visible. He entrusts his fidelity to the one whose cross he shares, whose promises are his hope.
CC&RR, Constitution 59
The lay members of the Mazenodian Family desire to make a similar commitment, as their circumstances allow. Throughout the Oblate world each unit has its own form of expressing this commitment of oblation. As I am spending some time with the Friends of St Eugene in the Anglo Irish Province, let me share with you the way in which they enter into the spirit of oblation:
The Commitment made by the members of the Friends of St. Eugene
I seek to deepen my relationship with Christ by imitating the pattern of his life.
I promise to live the day-to-day realities of my life as St. Eugene did, so that every event will be the occasion for a personal encounter with the Lord, who through us gives himself to others and through others gives himself to us.
I will make every effort to act and make choices that bear witness to my belief in the dignity of each person and the compassion of God for all people.
I will renew annually my commitment to promote the ethos and work of the Friends of St Eugene.
http://oblates.ie/ministries/friends-of-st-eugene-ministries/
“Faith is not limited to affirming the existence of God. No, faith tells us that God loves us and demands a loving response. This response is given through love for human beings, and that is what we mean by a commitment to God and to our neighbor.” Gustavo Gutiérrez
My first response to this mornings offering is a resounding “Yes”. I reread and find that the ‘yes’ is one of recognition, joy and wonder. I notice that I am silently singing from David Haas’s “We Are Called” – the last verse and the refrain; over and over – that is what my soul, my being is singing as I reflect on what Frank has shared with us.
What a gift it is to learn more about our brothers and sisters over in England and Ireland. There is joy and recognition as I read the words of their Commitment. They are beautiful – they are perfect.
“We are called…” It hits me – today is the anniversary of Eugene’s Baptism and we celebrate that. I stop for a moment to question why I do not regularly think to celebrate my baptism – I wonder how many of us do that?
Gustavo has it right – we are called, we are all called, and for some of us who call ourselves “Friends of St. Eugene”, or “Partners In Mission” or “Oblate Associates” – we have been given an additional gift, the call to share in the Charism of St. Eugene, in his spirit, in his way of life.
Our oblation – our commitment – what a perfect day to celebrate it and give thanks. My prayer for each of us today is to renew our commitment as we entrust our fidelity to the one whose cross we share, whose promises are our hope.