Eugene continues his petition to the Pope by explaining the origins of the Oblates to him. The success of the ministry that they were doing with the abandoned people in Aix en Provence aroused the interest of the bishops of the surrounding areas. In order to respond to these requests it was necessary for the Oblates to assure unity of spirit and action through a statement of their ideals, gathered together in the form of rules to assure their success. It was this collection of Constitutions and Rules that was now being presented to the Pope for the Church’s recognition and approval.
The extraordinary blessings that God has showered on the efforts of their zeal sparked the desire in the Bishops of the neighbouring areas to obtain the same benefits for their flocks. They repeatedly requested Father de Mazenod to have him and his companions evangelize the people of their dioceses. Father de Mazenod considered himself fortunate to be able to support the pastoral concern of these esteemed Bishops, and was delighted to be able to deepen the knowledge of Jesus Christ in this way and to assure the return of a greater number of lost sheep to good values. Now the Missionaries thought quite rightly that, since they were to expand into various dioceses, it was necessary to set common rules which would be like the bond of their new-born Society.
Petition for approbation to Pope Leo XII, 8 December 1825, EO XIII n.48
How vast the field that lies before them! How worthy and holy the undertaking! The people are caught up in crass ignorance of all that pertains to their salvation. The consequence of their ignorance has been a weakening of the faith and a corruption of morals with all the licence which that inevitably entails. Thus, it is supremely important, it is urgently imperative, that we lead the multitude of lost sheep back to the fold, that we teach these degenerate Christians who Jesus Christ is, that we rescue them from Satan’s power and show them the way to eternal life. We must spare no effort to extend the Saviour’s empire and to destroy the dominion of hell.
Preface of the CC&RR
“When you focus on being a blessing, God makes sure that you are always blessed in abundance.” Joel Osteen
Sometimes I simply hate Eugene’s language and choice of phrases. One would think that over time I would mind it less and be more understanding, but here again I find myself railing against it. And yet I keep returning to it, reading it over, trying to get past what I deem to be a few ill-chosen words (because if nothing else I love what he is saying and I love the Preface. It is the very fabric of the tapestry that is the Constitution and Rules.)
So it gives me cause this morning to look at myself and see how I am really no different. How many times in my life have I allowed my own zeal and enthusiasm to cause me to say something that was not worded in a loving way, Or even worse when I looked down on another with an attitude of superiority, an attitude of right (which translated/s all too often into attitude then of the other being wrong). I did not do it to hurt the other (at least consciously), but perhaps more to feel about myself (I attribute this only to myself and not to Eugene). I think of one of my brothers who tried to sober up around the same time as I, unable to ever quite get there and today almost 35 years later is still struggling with it. There have been times over the years when I have silently thought of him along the lines of being less than me because I made it and he hasn’t. This has come from though for the most part sadness and pain for I love him and hate to see his suffering (I know all to intimately the world that he lives in). How many times have I in moments of feeling zealous or even righteous be no different in using ill-chosen words that wound and separate. May God forgive me because it has happened and even thinking of a few of the times causes me distress and sorrow. How many times has it not been in my words but in my thoughts, my attitude which colours my words, how I act, how I approach.
I have moved so far away from Franks reflection and writings this morning. It might do me more good to reflect on the blessings that God has given to myself and others. How might I become a blessing to others?