Father Casimir Aubert shared his spiritual progress with Eugene, his spiritual father, who responded:
The details you go into concerning your interior life could not but be most pleasing to me. I have sincerely thanked God for the happiness he is giving you, and I can only applaud the resolution you have taken.
However, the talents that one receives have to be shared with others. The Gospel is full of examples of this.
But since the aptitude you received for the sciences is a gift from God, I judge it important that you don’t neglect them. Yes to assigning them a subordinate role; no to ignoring them and leaving them in disuse. I urge you not to be selfish in enjoying all alone God’s communications. Be generous with your riches, share them with others. Draw them, impel them if necessary by the power given you by the light and grace you have received. I’m not asking this just for your handful of novices but for all those around you, especially those I’ve placed expressly under your direction. I knew you would be faithful and I was counting without hesitation on an overflowing abundance in which I wanted certain of our men to share.
Letter to Casimir Aubert, 3 January 1836, EO VIII n 554
Whatever talents Casmir Aubert has, he must share with those entrusted to his care: “Freely you have received; freely give.” (Matthew 10,8)
“Draw them, impel them if necessary by the power given you by the light and grace you have received.” I think of Eugene’s comment about “no smoldering wicks” – he wanted his sons and daughters to love wildly and lavishly, just as he did and does. We are reminded this morning to let our flames burn brightly and boldly. We are reminded to open our hearts fully and share all that we have been given – with all who journey with us and even more to those who cross our paths; with measure of worthiness or goodness.
Eugene was an ‘all or nothing’ kind of person – no half measures. I think of how we each are called to make our ‘oblation’ to God, to the Church and to each other. “Let it be done unto me according to your word.” There are no measurements or qualifications there.
Like Casimir, I don’t always see the full picture – I do not know why God has chosen me to be where I am and why he has favoured me so lavishly. I simply give thanks and share it with others – because isn’t that how I would wish to be treated? I’m pretty sure that God did not give to me so that I could hide it away.
I am reminded of my small prayer from years ago that I would repeat over and over. Lord make me little and ordinary – make me to be a lamp to my neighbours’ feet.