THE APPROBATION OF THE OBLATES: THE GUARANTEE THAT OUR RULE OF LIFE IS GOD’S WILL FOR US

Now that the Church had approved our existence and our Constitutions and Rules, they no longer belong to us, but to the Church who commissions us to live our lives in accordance with them. Eugene was now able to make the statement about having been only an instrument.

He whom God has used to draw them up disappears; it is certain today that he was merely the mechanical instrument which the Spirit of God put into play in order to show the path he wanted to be followed by those whom he had predestined and preordained for the work of his mercy, in calling them to form and maintain our poor, little and modest Society.

Letter to Henri Tempier and all the Oblates, 18 February 1826, EO VII n 226

From now on, Eugene never refers to himself as the author of our Rule of Life. He always speaks of himself as the instrument that God used to manifest God’s will to us.

 

“I just want to do God’s will. And he’s allowed me to go to the mountain. And I’ve looked over, and I’ve seen the promised land! I may not get there with you, but I want you to know tonight that we as a people will get to the promised land.” Martin Luther King, Jr.

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1 Response to THE APPROBATION OF THE OBLATES: THE GUARANTEE THAT OUR RULE OF LIFE IS GOD’S WILL FOR US

  1. Eleanor Rabnett, Oblate Associate says:

    I have found my heart singing this morning as I reflect on this short but powerful posting. And as it is when the heart sings, I take time to sing the words consciously; Awake from your slumber! Arise from your sleep! A new day is dawning for all those who weep. The people in darkness have seen a great light. The Lord of our longing has conquered the night.” Then allow the words to slip back into the mists of my being where I am only barely conscious that the tune is playing on in the background of my being.

    Eugene has worked so very hard to make this happen – he was not just a bystander of it all. “….was merely the mechanical instrument which the Spirit of God put into play….” I keep thinking of the word “oblation”. He see’s before him God and his Church and says of himself that he was ‘merely’….

    Eugene is not busy measuring himself, and he is not lessening himself or his efforts but he puts himself and what he has done into the context of working for God. His ego most certainly is not in charge here. “The Lord of all kindness has called us to be
    a light for his people to set their hearts free.” Eugene started the event when he said yes to God, lit the lantern, called us to join him with our own lanterns, to carry them high and create a great light, a growing light.

    My prayer has always being ‘let me be but a light to my neighbor’s feet’ – so puny, so small, of so little consequence on my own with a tiny small light. And yet together, with the wick trimmed in a certain way I become something much much greater. I see Eugene pulling us all together, sharing his spirit with us. I wonder if looked at from afar (like looking down from space) if indeed we, our lights wouldn’t merge into one very bright and large light. We too become instruments of God’s love.

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