In the subsequent correspondence between Eugene and Tempier, one can see the growth of “one heart and one soul” between them, and their desire to be apostolic men with a strong interior life so as to be the most efficient missionaries.
Be as humble as you wish but know, just the same, that you are necessary for this mission work. I speak to you before God and openly from my heart.
Were it a question of going out to preach more or less well the word of God, mingled with much alloy of self, of going far and wide for the purpose, if you wish, of winning souls for God without taking much trouble to be men of interior life, truly apostolic men, I think it would not be difficult to replace you.
But can you believe I want merchandise of that sort?
We must be truly saints ourselves. In saying that, we include all that can possibly be said.
Letter to Henri Tempier, 13 December 1815 O.W. VI n 7
As I read this correspondence between Eugene and Henri (writing that way is so 21 century) but they were brothers, I am touched by their honesty and freedom to share the vision. I am also touched by todays Gospel of Mary and Martha and the call to be first served and nourished by Christ/the Word and then to go out with that fire rather than anxiety. Surely no smoldering wick or “merchandise” for Eugene. What power / image in that word in our “consumeristic” society. We are not to be things/object to use up and though away, but Saint. “Let the wise man blow off the impurities of his self, as a smith blows off the impurities of silver one by one, little by little, and from time to time.” The Dhammapada, chpt 18 vs 239 Buddhist text.
I am constantly amazed at the timelessness of this message from St. Eugene. Again it is as if he was speaking directly to me, to my heart. There is such life in his words, his message. It is the call from God, to share with Eugene and his mission, our mission. We must all be persons “of interior life” in order to be truly apostolic, to preach the word of God. It seems a little “unpopular” these days to speak about becoming saints, and yet it is real and it is desired – as Eugene wanted – for himself and for all of his Oblates. It holds true today. I am so grateful for Eugene saying it like it is, for his honesty, for his love.
Right…
Dear Eugéne,
Greetings from the General Chapter in 2010!
You were right all along! We ought to be humble – nothing less, yet nothing more!
Being APOSTOLIC MEN, that is to say, taking the trouble of being men of interior life, true holiness within our communities, through our communities (rather than in spite of)…
Becoming holy men in our apostolic communities, missionary communities:
communities for the mission!
That, I believe, is what OBLATION is really all about!
Peace,
hipo, omi (I like small letters!)