DURING OUR SOCIAL DISTANCING, SILENT LISTENING FLOWS FROM AND LEADS TO A DEEP LOVE

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/

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1 Response to DURING OUR SOCIAL DISTANCING, SILENT LISTENING FLOWS FROM AND LEADS TO A DEEP LOVE

  1. Eleanor Rabnett, Oblate Associate says:

    I have often noticed Eugene’s love of the Scriptures; they are the foundations that he draws upon in his life and in his Rule of Life in a way that can only come from knowing intimately the Word of God. It is about much more than simply quoting lines from Scripture, for it comes forth from a deep knowing. And that is a grace. And I am always grateful to those who have the capability and gift to share the scriptures in everyday language and life. As René Motte wrote: “Thus the mouth will speak from the abundance of the heart. (see Matthew 12:34)”

    Sometimes a thought will come to me and I must Google the words to see where they come from; I will recognize that they come from Paul, or from the Old Testament or that Jesus himself spoke them, but I cannot tell you the book, chapter, or verse. Unable to memorize I try to make them my own (to become imbued within me, a part of me) so that I will always know where to look for them when I need them. Again, as René Motte wrote that “…the reading of Scripture… must be seen in the context of an encounter with Christ. It is thus a listening to his word received as a personal message.” The act of being able to think of and copy the words of another, (Jesus, the saints, Pope Francis and yes Frank Santucci) to share them with others brings joy from deep within me.

    The thoughts and words do not have to originate with me; it is enough that I can share them and share who and where they came from that way that St. Eugene himself did and others such as René Motte, Frank Santucci, Sandy Prather and many other members of the Mazenodian Family and the Church at large.” Silent listening is generous since it flows from a deep love.” And the joy give birth to gratitude.

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