The Missionaries, dedicated to the process of rebuilding the post-revolution Church of France, dedicated their lives to bringing these abandoned victims of the revolution into the fullness of communion with Jesus Christ and the members of his Body. In order to be effective, it was necessary to have a clear analysis of the situation they were wanting to respond to through their ministry.
To achieve some measure of success in this holy endeavor, we must first of all seek out the causes of the depravity which is presently making men slaves of their passions.
We can synthesis them under three headings:
1. The weakening, if not the total loss, of faith.
2. Ignorance among the people.
3. Laziness, indifference and corruption among the priests…
Once these causes have become known, it becomes easier to apply remedies to them.
1818 Rule, Part One, Chapter One. The ends of the Institute, §3. Nota Bene.
Missions, 78 (1951) p. 15
“Example moves the world more than doctrine. The great exemplars are the poets of action, and it makes little difference whether they be forces for good or forces for evil.” Henry Miller
Recently a friend of a friend saw my cast and told me that I needed to get a lawyer immediately and sue – the driver of the car who hit me, the hospital where I was taken because he was sure that my cast was not done properly, etc., etc. And when I said no – that I did not want to do that he became very forceful and belligerent about it and I felt like I was being bullied. I began to feel very small and helpless. He seemed to be “reacting” to something within himself rather than trying somehow to help me feel better or even ok.
Being able to look clearly and knowledgeably at a situation and then “respond” rather than react seems to be the course we need to take if we are to “minister to” rather than ‘just do something’.
It seems to me that Eugene looked at the causes of rupture between God and his people and he “responded” with love and caring, looking not for the quick easy answer but rather how to really bring those abandoned ones back into yes communion with God and with each other. Eugene ministered to the entire group of people in an overall way, bringing love and care. He was building up.
How can I “build up” rather than lessen?