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- FOR THE REST, I DO MY BEST TO LEAVE IT TO GOD
- GOD ALONE KNOWS HOW TO REWARD WHAT WE HAVE DONE FOR HIM. SO, WE MUST DO EVERYTHING TO PLEASE HIM
- IT IS A CONSOLATION FOR ME TO BREATHE THE SAME AIR, TO OFFER THE HOLY SACRIFICE ON THE SAME ALTARS, TO BE ABLE TO PRAY AT HIS TOMB
- THERE IS NOT A CORNER OF ROME WHICH IS NOT A MONUMENT OF FAITH OR PIETY
- THE ROMAN MARTYRS ARE STILL THE OBJECT OF VENERATION OF PEOPLES
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- Eleanor Rabnett, Lay Oblate on FAITH-FOCUSED INVESTMENT GROUPS: A PRESENCE WHERE DECISIONS AFFECTING THE FUTURE OF THE POOR ARE BEING MADE (Rule 9a)
- Eleanor Rabnett, Lay Oblate on VIVAT: A PRESENCE WHERE DECISIONS AFFECTING THE FUTURE OF THE POOR ARE BEING MADE (Rule 9a)
- Eleanor Rabnett, Lay Oblate on WE SHOW A VERY HUMAN FACE OF JESUS TO THE WORLD, ONE FULL OF COMPASSION AND SOLIDARITY (Rule 9a)
- Eleanor Rabnett, Lay Oblate on JUSTICE, PEACE AND THE INTEGRITY OF CREATION AS AN INTEGRAL PART OF EVANGELIZATION (Rule 9a)
- Eleanor Rabnett, Lay Oblate on WALKING THE LINE BETWEEN PROPHETIC VISION AND SPIRITUAL SUSTENANCE (CONSTITUTION 9)
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“A father’s communication with his many children… that is one of the most agreeable occupations of my life” 1857
A part of me is distracted this morning with the mention of a ‘certain’ Rev. Power, as if knowledge of his place and his being would lead me to a more insightful reflection. I smile as I start-over, thinking that perhaps I too need to ‘remain focused on being God’s instrument’ no matter how small and imperfect that instrument might be. And for some reason I find myself looking back at those early Israelites being led out of Egypt by Moses who repeatedly became distracted and unfocused, with some turning away from God.
So to remain focused on being God’s instrument rather than doing everything ourselves and demanding perfection from ourselves as well as those around us. One might think that this latter behaviour would fill our hearts, but it seems to lead only to a certain type of emptiness – that of course pushes others away rather than inviting and drawing them nearer.
I am reminded of some of my behaviour 40 years ago, of God bringing me out of a life of darkness and sin when there were many times that I thought that I ‘knew it all’ and displayed a certain amount of arrogance. There have been many struggles over the years and as I experienced them, I thought that each was worse than the one before it. I have learned slowly that the only way to be is ‘grateful’: grateful for all the blessings that God has showered upon me. Never more so than the present time where fear of how I will manage the current weakness and vulnerability – yet where I also see without even seeming to have to try – I see the incredible goodness and beauty of most others around me. They lead by example and are the ‘real’ models for me, who I wish to emulate. I still have much to learn and experience and may it be without showing harshness or harming another. Gratitude is the greatest balance to be found in our lives.