GOOD FRIDAY: take him into your heart and be not troubled about anything

Posted on April 7, 2023 by franksantucci

In the days when Christ was in the flesh, he offered prayers and supplications with loud cries and tears to the one who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence.

Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered;
and when he was made perfect,
he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him.

Hebrews 5:7-9

 In particular today I recall St. Eugene’s words to Father Jacques Jourdan, aged 25, and the first Oblate to die. He was suffering from deep depression and darkness:

Courage, my dear friend. Very great saints have been tried like you, but they became saints in spite of these circumstances because they did not cease to obey; courage, once more, my dear friend, we are all down on the floor praying for you so that you will bear this hard trial like a valiant soldier of Jesus Christ. This so amiable Master, our model, did not yield to despair in the garden of Olives; into what an agony he was plunged nevertheless! Hold on to him and fear nothing, drink the cup of his bitterness since he allows to let you share in his passion, but do not doubt that he will soon fill you with his sweetest joys. Until then you must keep your peace and obey…

At the moment of communion, tell him lovingly about all your sorrows: “O Lord I am oppressed be my security!” [Is. 38, 14].Embrace his feet in spirit, protest that you will never separate yourself from him, that you wish to love him for ever, then take him into your heart and be not troubled about anything.

Letter to Jacques Antoine Jourdan, 30 March 1823

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One Response to GOOD FRIDAY: take him into your heart and be not troubled about anything

  1. Eleanor Rabnett, Lay Oblate says:
    April 7, 2023 at 13:36

    Some years ago I had the gift of being able to attend a weekend retreat at OST in San Antonio. On Saturday an older Oblate came in and sat beside me: his face was bruised and scratched and he looked so sad. I asked him if he was okay and he said that he had fallen and he was upset because (Fr.) Frank had told him he needed to come and live in the community house and give up some of his ministry work – ministry that he had served in his entire adult life. He was afraid, but because of obedience he had made the move. I can remember thinking how I loved this man even though I did not know him. I cannot remember his name but I have never forgotten him, for he has become a model for me, having to let go of that which he loved, a dying to self.

    Today, we will go to Church to venerate the Cross – to accompany Jesus in the Passion and approach the Cross in veneration. I think of how I miss being able to approach the Cross and to lean into it, kissing it or simply touching it – only because of a few stairs which are like a silent barrier. I know there are others who cannot join in our Good Friday practice of approaching the Cross. Do they feel that they no longer matter or are not needed?

    How can we accompany them, be with them so they do not feel ignored or not a ‘part of”? How can we bring the Cross to them and accompany them as they take Him into their hearts and so not be troubled about anything’.

    Jesus, remember us, as you come into your Kingdom…

    Reply

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