Father Jeancard seems to have expressed an opinion of not wishing to work on a mission with someone else. Eugene responded:
Nothing is more proper, my dear friend, than to make observations especially when they are addressed to a superior whose sentiments and the way he acts are known.
Eugene’s continues to give us a glimpse of how he made decisions: by listening to all sides and trying to balance the good of the person and the good of the mission of the Oblate Congregation.
You knew that I am not one of those who does not take into account all the little preferences – I would even say weaknesses – of their subjects, but only wants to see perfect obedience in what they require them to do and never bother about anything else apart from what has to be done.
I have always tried to combine all (particular) interests which can be combined with the good order of the Society and the good of souls; so, without approving your distastes, I have always been careful to put them on the scales, and if they have not always won the day, they have always been weighed nevertheless.
Then, as a father and superior who knows Jeancard well, Eugene corrects him regarding his attitude:
It is, one cannot deny, a great pity that you have not been better at resisting them and all the more so because they extend to several individuals towards all of whom your prejudices are equally unjust. But there lies your failing and the precise evil of which you are not cured and which I deplore in you because I am convinced that these (lapses) are more voluntary than you think and that they spring from sentiments which are certainly not virtuous..
Eventually, Eugene opted for the desires of Jeancard:
In any case, to please you I have changed our plan; you will not go to the Dauphiné, Father Honorat will go in your stead on this mission, you will remain in Languedoc and work there until further notice.
Letter to Jacques Jeancard, 26 September 1829, EO n 337
This morning I have had to take a long look at myself. I have sat in both chairs, that of Eugene and Fr. Jeancard (but more often than not it has been the chair of Jeancard). Trying to look at a person, a situation, a task to be completed, a need to be filled – from all ‘sides of the coin’ and only then making my decision. Equally – being honest with myself and others when asked to do or accept something or someone that I do not particularly care for or who would not be my ‘first choice’. Having to put my own prejudices or dislikes aside for the sake of something that is much larger than myself.
Not uncommon in the work world, in families, communities, friendships. But it is more than just setting my own dislikes aside because that just leaves a vacuum, an emptiness somehow. As I set my own prejudices aside I need look for the good, to accept and understand, to give myself in love. It requires an honest effort, willingness to trust – and then to sometimes just ‘make the best of it’.
Damn – at this very moment a few images come to mind of where I have had to do just what I have described above. Again honesty compels me to admit that sometimes I have not worked very hard at it, and that my attitudinal adjustments have been superficial at best.
Not always about the ‘what’ but more about ‘how’.