I FOCUSED ON THE IMMENSE GOODNESS OF GOD AND OUR LORD TOWARDS US

Reflecting on the children in the rural parishes to whom Bishop Eugene was administering the sacrament of confirmation, he exclaimed:

However, how does it happen that, when I speak to them in the style in which I think we should always speak to them, those children pay extraordinary attention? How does it happen as today again, I saw some of them weeping just like some adults who attended the ceremony?
I did not, however, use frightening language, but on the contrary I focused on the immense goodness of God and our Lord towards us, and I explained that it was especially expressed in the Sacrament of the Eucharist.

A clear example of “being” in order to “do,” Eugene shared with them the love for God that he experienced in his own life.

Those children understood me perfectly, you could see that they shared in the sentiments of which I was speaking, with the fervor that God communicated tangibly to my soul. Besides that, I admit that I myself savor that kind of instruction, which I always give with indescribable consolation, which do me as much good as those who are listening to me

Eugene de Mazenod’s Diary, 13 September 1837, EO XVIII

The essence of being a missionary is to communicate that which we are living in our relationship with God.

This entry was posted in WRITINGS. Bookmark the permalink.

1 Response to I FOCUSED ON THE IMMENSE GOODNESS OF GOD AND OUR LORD TOWARDS US

  1. Eleanor Rabnett, Oblate Associate says:

    I come here daily because for quite a while now Eugene has been/is my model and guide, my best friend, founder, inspiration, mentor, father-mother of my family.
    Following from that are his many sons and daughters. And it is not just confined to those of a particular state of life, or belonging to a particular community…

    It would seem our hearts are equal-opportunity lovers – we become lovers if and when we allow them to be cupped and formed by the Master Potter. And then as so many potters do, allow his/her mark to be put on us before being sent, before being put out to be shared and used with other vessels of the same design and essence.

    If we are left on a shelf, that is to never be used or touched, we will gather dust and the luster of our being will fade and die. If we allow ourselves to be locked away in a cabinet only to see the light on special days or with special people – we will fade and eventually die. But if we allow ourselves to be used, to be shared with all our strengths and weaknesses then our very ‘being’ will come alive. The doing will be how we learn to share ourselves from that.

    I often wish that others would share their experience of these posts, of how they, how their hearts are touched by Eugene and by Franks sharing of his vision and way of modelling Eugene. The richness that would be added from one to another. This is what it means to be sent, and to share our experience of God and each other with all. Risky – it not’s just Eugene who did this – his model was Jesus.

Leave a Reply

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