Reflecting on this pivotal constitution of our Mazenodian spirituality, former Oblate Superior General, Fernand Jetté wrote that it : “expresses the purification and transformation that our outlook undergoes when it is in contact with the mystery of the cross:
Through the eyes of our crucified Saviour we see the world which he redeemed with his blood, desiring that those in whom he continues to suffer will know also the power of his resurrection (cf. Phil 3: 10).
CC&RR, Constitution 4
“Our outlook on the world becomes that of Jesus the Savior crucified. It was the Founder’s outlook after his ‘conversion’, how he saw himself and the world in terms of Christ’s blood. The expressions: ‘souls at the price of Christ’s blood’, ‘who have cost him his blood’, recur again and again in his writings.
Farther on, in Rule 12, we will find the complementary expression: ‘to love others as Jesus loves them’. Indeed, the Oblate’s apostolic spirit consists in contemplating the world with the eyes of Christ, loving it with the heart of Christ, and working wholeheartedly with Christ in the work of its redemption.” (F. Jetté, The Apostolic Man, p.58-59)
When this was written in 1992, the concept and profile of the Mazenodian family had not emerged clearly. Today we would say “Indeed, the Mazenodian Family’s apostolic spirit consists in contemplating the world with the eyes of Christ, loving it with the heart of Christ, and working wholeheartedly with Christ in the work of its redemption”
I love the Cross, I am drawn towards it; the cross, as Frank said yesterday, opens the door to resurrection. I do not see it in the terms of blood but rather life, love and the heart – of Jesus. There is nothing sane or logical about it – but the two are forever entwined and a part of the other – at least in my reality.
The only word that I can find this morning is ‘oblation’; the total gift of self out of most perfect love for the other(s). Perhaps that is the blood that Eugene expressed so often. Rather than seeing the blood I find myself drawn over and over to the wounds of Jesus as he hung on the cross; the wounds that he suffered for me and all others – covered in blood and dirt, in humiliation and abandonment. Oh to be able to soothe and kiss better those wounds – with the love that Christ himself has lavished upon me. My own feeble way of trying to express my reality. As I sit here this morning I realise that I no longer have to feel stupid or wanting because I do have an expression and focus of love that is my own.
It has been in sitting with and listening to Eugene – allowing him to shed his light on me I am able to see who I am in the eyes of God and how it is that I share in the love of God.
I see how we have this beautiful Rule of Life – Article 4 (constitution 4) explained and expressed by dear Fathers Jetté and Frank Santucci; each of them echoing the other. I have always thought with regret that I do not have the words to express my own experience of God and so draw on and quote the words from others who do.
A moment of joy and exhilaration! I remember the day of my first communal commitment as an Oblate Associate, when I received my small Oblate cross. I wanted to hold out my cross so that Jesus, in the Blessed Sacrament could see the cross that I had waited so long to receive. With giddy joy I want to run up to the tabernacle and show him my cross.
I arise today in the heart of Jesus.