These beautiful words illustrate Eugene’s ministry as a Missionary Oblate and a Bishop of Marseilles. Being close to his people and leading his people on their faith journey
In the evening I went to the closing ceremony of the Holy Rosary octave in the church of St-Cannat and gave the Benediction. That gave great pleasure to the clergy and people of this parish who filled the church.
I always feel great consolation when I am leading my flock in prayer meetings or on the great solemnities.
Eugene de Mazenod’s Diary, 14 October 1838, EO XIX
Bishop Eugene, as the chief pastor of the diocese was aware of his responsibility to be the co-operator and instrument of Jesus Christ, the eternal High Priest:
“Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them”(Hebrews 7:25)
Because Jesus is risen, and is always present, he constantly makes intercession for those who approach God through him. We profess this every time we pray: “Through Christ, our Lord.”
One of Eugene’s ministries, like that of St Paul, was to pray for his people:
“For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives” (Colossians 1:9)
We are invited to pause and be aware of those who support us in prayer “through Jesus Christ”.
One phrase this morning has jumped out at me “Bishop Eugene… was aware of his responsibility to be the co-operator and instrument of Jesus Christ…”
This past weekend I watched seven young men profess their first vows, receive their cross and a copy of their Rule of Life. Some ‘first’ steps in sharing their experience of God and acceptance of God’s invitation for them to acknowledge their responsibility to be co-operators and instruments of Jesus Christ. And as they journey they too will come to feel great consolation as they lead others in prayer.
I don’t believe that is just for the bishops or the priests, or just for those who take religious vows; rather it is for all of us who say yes to God and who one way or another give ourselves in oblation to our Beloved. Through him and with him and in him…
I remember some years ago when I was spending time before dawn in walking with Jesus; it was my private time with Him, a gift so to speak that was “just for me”. I was on a hilltop overlooking the city and praying for those who were in the houses down below. I felt, I experienced that God was telling me that I was to pray for the whole world, pray for those who were most despised, those who did not know what love was, and to love them with a depth that would overtake my heart. That would be a burden I told him; he asked too much I told him. I cried, and I sort of fought it, but I did give in and it continues today. It is as if my heart is united with that of our Saviour, just as were the hearts of Jesus’s disciples and Eugene de Mazenod and his many sons and daughters.
We are each responsible for the other; through him and with him and in him.
This morning I am reminded of my grandmother who told me one day that she prayed for me every day of my life. Imagine – every day – the image I have is of her holding me up to God as a baby. As I think of it now I feel a little overwhelmed with both joy and gratitude. She never stopped believing that God could and would save me and that my life would change. As I sit here I can hear the rain falling on the trees and their branches and there is an image of small rivers running down the street. I feel the tears running down my cheeks. It is not yet dawn but I experience a sense of healing as I sit here with Eugene and all of you.
“For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives” (Colossians 1:9) Knowing this is St. Paul speaking does not change the idea that there are many who pray for me. St. Eugene de Mazenod himself invited me to join him in a most particular way as he “shed his own light on me” and shared his gift of the Spirit, the charism given by God. I have no doubt at all that he prays for me.
When I am asked to pray for others I often tell them that I hold them in my prayers. Yesterday was our day to come together in a very specific way as family, to pray in Oraison with our Mazenodian Family. Yesterday I was held by many, just as I held them. Brothers and sisters in this family – so many that I don’t know their names; knowing only that I was held by many who support me and whom I support in prayer. Could there be any better way!