PERSUADE THE PARTIES TO ACCEPT THE DECISIONS YOU GIVE AS MOTIVATED BY A SPIRIT OF IMPARTIALITY

Bishop Eugene de Mazenod, committed to be in Marseilles, nevertheless took great interest in the missionary work of each of his Oblate sons.

Continue this vocation with trust and courage, you see how the good Lord guides your steps and helps you.

Then he referred to the reconciliation ministry that the Oblates were doing in Corsica between the violently opposed factions. It was not sufficient to bring about reconciliation in words and emotions. It was necessary to provide each party with the opportunity to express their disputes (usually over property and power) and then to work together to a mutually agreed solution. The Oblates became neutral mediators to arbitrate a permanent settlement.

I certainly approve that you agree to be the arbitrators of the disputes that maintain discord between families. To this end, however, you need to acquire some knowledge of the laws that govern the subject. You will have to read the civil code because you have to be careful not to risk taking decisions that may be in conflict with the law. Equity does not always suffice.

You must act with much prudence in all the cases and persuade the parties as far as possible to accept willingly the decisions you give as motivated by a spirit of the most perfect impartiality.

Letter to Fr. Etienne Semeria, 10 November 1841, EO IX n 748

Eugene’s sentiments echoed those of Jesus, who  sent his disciples on difficult missions with these words: “See, I am sending you out like sheep into the midst of wolves; so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.” (Matthew 10:16)

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1 Response to PERSUADE THE PARTIES TO ACCEPT THE DECISIONS YOU GIVE AS MOTIVATED BY A SPIRIT OF IMPARTIALITY

  1. Eleanor Rabnett, Oblate Associate says:

    This morning speaks to me how we live in both worlds – how everythingare and can be a part of the other. We are all humans, we all turn to one God, we are answerable under the law and so we find ways to live in and around those laws. This is what Jesus did, how he lived and died and then rose again. Everything together co-exists. There is the good and the bad, the dark and the light, men and women – complementary, interconnected and interdependent.

    Jesus coming to show us a new way. And so down through the ages with men and women like Eugene, Tempiers, Semerias and Lacombes, the Santucci’s and the Kings, the Cronins and the Prathers… We are all interconnected.

    Today this has inspired me how to connect the both in my studies; I have been looking for the connection and have been given a connection; a new way to see that which I found hard to express.

    It is from here that I notice the reality of living Justice, Peace and the Integrity of all Creation.
    I am reminded too of the words from R37a: “according to our state of life… milieu and culture”. It seems to come together, what and how we live; how we are inspired and learn; how in turn we are then sent out and share that which we first received…

    I think for some reason of the words in Tennyson’s Ulysses: “I am a part of all that I have met; Yet all experience is an arch wherethro’ Gleams that untravell’d world whose margin fades For ever and forever when I move.”

    A bright light has been turned on this morning and it is in this light that I will go out; it is in this light that I will share my reflections on the Word in our Liturgies… And it is in this light that I will continue to work on my studies.

    I begin my day with a renewed spirit of love and gratitude.

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