Another example of Eugene’s predicament in the personnel crisis. Father Guigues, at Osier, was desperately needing more Oblates. Eugene’s response:
I’m only too aware of the picture you paint for me of your situation but I can only repeat that God knows it better than we do and we must abide by his will.
Make your plans in function of the means available, don’t extend yourself beyond your capacity and don’t lose your peace of mind; that’s where wisdom lies.
Letter to Bruno Guigues, 2 October 1836, EO VIII n 592
Eugene’s advice continues to apply today in every situation that we face as a Mazenodian Family – that is where wisdom lies.
I think for a moment of a parent who receives a request/demand from their child for a particular toy, and of the parent who hears their child’s cry but is unable for any number of reasons to give the child what they want – they know their child will do/be fine with what they have. Nevertheless it must be so hard for them not to be able to give their child what the child wants.
And then there are our leaders, our superiors – all trying to do their best – just as Eugene was.
I hear Eugene saying to me this morning – stop trying to manage with what you had, or with what you want to have and try to accept and manage with what you have, with who you are, right now in this moment.
Moving swiftly before the eyes of my mind are the faces of all those who in one way or another have tried (and continue to try) to say exactly that to me. There is a certain amount of ‘letting go’ that I must do, a certain amount of acceptance if I am to continue on in the light and a certain amount of trust and perseverance that whoever God is using to speak to me is not to be pushed aside until I hear what I want.
At this moment I am not sure that I always recognize wisdom – but I do know where peace lies and how I can go and sit with her.