The disciple Jesus loved said to Peter, ‘It is the Lord.’ At these words ‘It is the Lord’, Simon Peter, who had practically nothing on, wrapped his cloak round him and jumped into the water. The other disciples came on in the boat, towing the net and the fish. (John 21: 7-8)
In John 21:1-14, the disciples had returned to their normal occupation of fishing and the Risen Jesus appeared to them in the midst their everyday activity. They did not recognize him at first, but it was love that opened their eyes.
St Eugene had always loved the Risen Jesus present in his Word. In 1837, before becoming Bishop of Marseilles, he looked back on 55 years of lovingly listening to the Word of God:
I give you thanks, O Lord, for having made shine forth this light from the sacred deposit of your Holy Scriptures. As you show me the way I should follow, and give me the desire to follow it, you will also give me the powerful help of your grace.
René Motte OMI, who made a study of the role of Scripture in the life of St Eugene gives us some practical advice on how we can develop the same attitude as the disciples at the time of Jesus and disciple Eugene. Circumstances today make it more possible for all of us to spend time with the Word of God in this loving attitude:
Silence is necessary, silence to listen to Jesus Christ who speaks in the Bible. Silent listening is generous, since it flows from a deep love. That is what the Oblates [ed. and all members of the Mazenodian family] are called upon to experience “in joy”, says the Founder. They are happy to be in intimate union with Christ, enjoying his word. Thus the mouth will speak from the abundance of the heart (see Matthew 12:34). Consequently, the reading of Scripture is not limited to study; it must be seen in the context of an encounter with Christ. It is thus a listening to his word received as a personal message.
“Sacred Scripture” in Dictionary of Oblate Values: https://www.omiworld.org/lemma/sacred-scripture/
I have sat here this morning, for almost an hour, with the words and with the Word. How often have I noticed the grace and eloquence as Eugene has shared his thoughts and teachings with us, and always explained himself using words from the scriptures. How often I have thought that it would be such a joy to have that gift.
I have not studied scriptures in the normal way. I have not memorized them, nor am I able to quote them word for word. But there are times when a line or two will come to me and I find myself ‘googling’ it, to see where it came from and in what context – because I want to quote it, because it expresses what my heart is trying to say.
“They did not recognize him at first, but it was love that opened their eyes”. That is what happened with Mary in the garden – love opened her eyes – just as it did with Thomas the disciple. This is what is happening with me this morning – all over again. My heart is leaping within me just as it does when I hear certain and particular lines from scriptures.
This weekend as I share my experience of the scriptures with my parish family – there will be a new sense, a new awareness what I am being asked to do. I do not have to re-invent the wheel for there are out others like William Barclay’s and John Shea who will offer their own experiences of the scriptures, who will share that, just as Eugene and Frank do. Now I add Rene Motte to my list. I will somehow find time in the coming days to read the full document on scriptures. It will be a gift.
How blessed are we with each other.