I WILL MAKE THE SACRIFICE OF MY OBSTACLES TO GOD

13. Once I have identified something as an obstacle to my end, I will make the sacrifice of it to God, cost what it may, and taking the resolutions necessary to walk in the spirit of my vocation, I will be faithful thereto with the help of grace.

Retreat resolutions, October 1831, EO XV n 162

Quite a thought! Usually we try to overcome and destroy the obstacles that prevent us from loving God and one another. Eugene uses another tactic – he offers it to God and relies on receiving the inspirations and graces necessary to change. Weaknesses, failings and obstacles become an opportunity to encounter God’s grace. A thought-provoking approach to oblation.

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1 Response to I WILL MAKE THE SACRIFICE OF MY OBSTACLES TO GOD

  1. Eleanor Rabnett, Oblate Associate says:

    Sometimes there are specific words that press all of my buttons and “sacrifice’ might one of them! I remember when I first heard the word “Rule”, as in Rule of Life, and all I could think of was ‘restrictions’ and yet in truth this particular Rule of Life sets me free.

    Making a sacrifice of my obstacles and offering them to God! How do I handle what I can only call ‘obstacles’ in my life? The closer they are to my heart, those obstacles, the harder they are to offer to God. There is within me a part that wants to hold on to them and to annihilate them all in the same moment.

    I think for a moment of Jesus – the scapegoat; the sacrifice. I remind myself that Jesus is God – yes he is man but he is also God and my internal battle seems to start losing steam. What am I trying to hold on to here when all I really want to do is to imitate and be with him?

    Yesterday I would have spoken of it as “letting it go”, as “walking through it” and simply offering myself to God, over and over again. Perhaps now I can begin to offer it (whatever it is) to God.

    All this struggle over a word or two any my trying to get past the blockage in my mind (and my being). I like Frank’s translation “Weaknesses, failings and obstacles become an opportunity to encounter God’s grace. A though-provoking approach to oblation.” Of course! I can relate to that – perhaps not perfectly but I grow stronger in that day-by-day in the ordinary of my life.

    Blessings Eugene because with you I am coming to know or see myself. What kind of an awesome gift is that! Your gift of yourself to God sheds light once again on mine.

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