The Marian shrine of Notre Dame du Laus had been our first foundation outside of Aix in 1819. From that time on, the ministry of the shrine had grown and it became a popular pilgrimage and center of mission. Its success was a cause of envy among a section of the local clergy who demanded that it be given back to the Diocese of Gap. A new bishop was appointed in 1841 and was about to arrive in Gap. Eugene wrote these words of advice to Oblate Father Mille, who was the superior of the shrine community.
There is no doubt that our enemies must have maintained a continuous correspondence with his Lordship. Be prepared to see him arrive full of prejudice against you. What is to be done?
For your part, you will behave with dignity, sincerity and moderation. The good Lord will do the rest.
Letter to Jean Baptiste Mille, 6 January 1841, EO IX n 721
Good advice when we are faced with situations of conflict that make us angry and in danger of lashing out and speaking words that cause even more damage.
My thoughts are heavily influenced this morning with what I am being fed in my Oblate Studies; more than mere words or history of something that was 200 years ago but how they are the leaven of my life; as such they do not wait and appear only for upcoming assignments, but rather seem to find their way into my thoughts and way of being. Eugene’s words, the sharing of his charism and his spirit become the lens which I first use to open and see through the eyes of our crucified Saviour. There is a small flash of sheer joy in recognizing that as I share it with my Beloved.
Eugene after having been through so much in his earlier years, particularly in the years leading up to his ordination as Bishop of Marseilles advises his sons to stand “with dignity, sincerity and moderation”.
For some reason I think of when the soldiers arrived at the Garden of Gethsemane to arrest Jesus and how “Simon Peter drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his right ear” and Jesus told Simon Peter to put his sword away. I should not be so disconcerted as something from the Gospel comes to mind but I do stop to silently give thanks.
The words consecration, obedience, oblation, sacrifice and others seem to fill my thoughts this morning and I am grateful to be able to reflect with my Lord in this way. Eugene modelling himself on Jesus and the apostles; becoming model and father to his sons, to his many sons and daughters in this Mazenodian Family. As Frank said – good advice to heed when we are faced with something that seems to invite hurt and anger and a reaction rather than a response. I find that I tend to be a lot like Peter, so very human and who after having first pulled his sword and then later denied all knowledge of the one he loved most, ran into the night to weep before returning to the Lord later. I need to heed this advice in my own life.
I have been and am known to be a pendulum for emotional matters – and this year , with “4-legged family” matters in the first two months , and COVID a wrecking ball sweeping through. Unfortunately I also am a political junky – and this is, of course, a key battle time for our neighbours to the south in a black vs white, us vs them, and easily fodder for name calling and simply lies. The reason for this preface is that that is what really has focused my attention on today’s post, and a sad realization that I am ready to lash out, not listen. For the next days especially, I desperately need to hear and must follow “for your part, you will behave with dignity, sincerity and moderation. The good Lord will do the rest. ” May the Spirit of God , fall fresh on us – we need His presence, ( from Here as in Heaven)