IT IS WHAT GOD IS IMPOSING ON ME, LET ME BE BRAVE AND COUNT ON HIS GRACE

Eugene’s retreat reflections continue to invite him to an even greater trust in God

All that would cost me nothing, I think, if penetrated as I am with a sense of my obligations, I could count on being understood in a century when people do not have the least idea what a Catholic bishop is in the eyes of faith and as instituted by our divine Saviour…
Today a bishop is relegated to the inner refuge of his office, to give out dispensations or attend to his correspondence. And if he makes an appearance on occasion in a parish it is to administer confirmation that can only be received from him. But for that there would be no seeing him…

He proceeded to reflect on the difficulties he had experienced with the clergy of Marseilles in his role as Vicar General for over ten years and concluded:

Dear God, when one looks at things with the eyes of faith and with a strong conviction about one’s duties, when one sees the difficulties which conspire against their fulfilment, there is every reason to be discouraged and deterred. However, one must proceed, it is what God is imposing on me, let me be brave and count on his grace.

Retreat preparatory to taking possession of the episcopal see of Marseilles, May 1837, EO XV n 185

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1 Response to IT IS WHAT GOD IS IMPOSING ON ME, LET ME BE BRAVE AND COUNT ON HIS GRACE

  1. Eleanor Rabnett, Oblate Associate says:

    There is a certain amount of doubt and fear as I sit here this morning listening to Eugene speak to me. There is a small temptation to look at his lived oblation as priest, Founder, Bishop and friend – and say that is why he is a saint. But I am none of those things and my life is very small and ordinary. Still even in my smallness I want to do the will of my Beloved for this is what I have said yes to.

    So I return to Eugene and his humanness, and his immense heart; all of it having been brought into the light from his Good Friday encounter, experience with our crucified Saviour. He is a model and more; it was he who invited me to stand at the foot of my crucifix and then invited me to join in the dance of shared life in his charism.

    My role in in this Mazenodian Family is very small yet as I sit here I feel the need to ask for guidance and prayers. It is not something which has been imposed upon me for I said yes of my own free will, yet there is that part of me which desires and needs to be brave and count on God’s grace. My brothers and sisters on our shared journey deserve no less.

    How did this happen, how did this come about? This love and service not just to and for God, but for all. That thought is daunting and I find myself crying to God to have mercy on me; to hold and love me – to give me the courage and grace to serve in the manner to which I am been called. It is only then that I will be able to live and serve from my ‘being’ which will then allow the ‘doing’ will come about.

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