I AM NOT AFRAID OF YOUR MIRACULOUS CATCH OF FISH: CONTINUE TO CAST OUT YOUR NETS

Posted on July 14, 2023 by franksantucci

Two months later, some of the Oblates began to put pressure on Eugene to curb Father Leonard’s recruitment campaign They were practical older Oblates who realized the impossibility of feeding, housing and educating a never-ending supply of new recruits. This opposition was beginning to weigh heavily on Eugene, who was trying to placate them by all possible means. Writing to Father Vincens, the Novice Master at L’Osier, Eugene attempted to appease and persuade him:

Yes, my dear Father Vincens, the enormous responsibilities weighing upon you are certainly enough to scare you. But who can dare to decide the measure of the Lord’s merciful plans? His will is too clearly manifest for us not to be obliged to go forward with blind confidence.

It is at this moment that the Lord calls our Congregation to extend its zeal to a great many countries, and who at the same time inspires a great number of men to offer themselves to accomplish his desires, and how could we refuse to accept their devotedness which enables us to obey the will of our Master! I cannot give in to this, no matter what human prudence seems to say.

So receive all those that the good Lord sends us. 

Letter to Father Ambroise Vincens, 12 August 1847, EO X n 936

To Father Leonard, Eugene wrote:

I will tell you however that I have already written to Father Vincens that I do not share his opinion on the limit he wanted to put to your mission. No, I am not afraid of your miraculous catch of fish. Continue to cast out your nets. Let us remember the widow at the time of Elisha… and never to say: “That’s enough.” It is a moment of grace. We must take advantage of it. Who can say what may happen in three or four years!…

 A great mission has been confided to you; you must fulfill it.

Letter to Fr Leonard Baveux, 15 August 1847, EO X n 938

REFLECTION

“If you have passion, there is no need for excuses because your enthusiasm will trump any negative reasoning you might come up with. Enthusiasm makes excuses a non-issue.”

Wayne Dyer

Excuses? Are we controlled  by any in our lives?

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1 Response to I AM NOT AFRAID OF YOUR MIRACULOUS CATCH OF FISH: CONTINUE TO CAST OUT YOUR NETS

  1. Eleanor Rabnett, Lay Oblate says:
    July 14, 2023 at 12:04

    How often are we able to do what we want or what we believe will bring us pleasure or fame? Yet when we are asked to help or serve in other ways we say no because we are too busy, or because it is not a particularly glamorous service. It might not be in line with our own focus on life and what we think we stand for and believe in.

    I think of the people that the Pope has chosen to attend the upcoming Synod; not just his friends who see his point of view but others that may have a slightly different vision… Trusting that God will work through all, just as God has been working through each and all of us.

    I look at Eugene’s words: “…never to say: ‘That’s enough.’ It is a moment of grace. We must take advantage of it.” If we recognize it as a moment of grace, in the present moment, then the Spirit herself will suggest new ways of serving others.

    No excuses for Eugene, or Fr. Albert Lacombe OMI who found a way to love and serve his “beloved Indians”. Kay Cronin HOMI who said yes to the Oblate’s throughout her life when it would have been so easy for her to focus on her success as a journalist, or to live in the pain of 2nd World War which had robbed her of so much. Fr. Carl Kelly OMI who spoke up at a retreat saying he was too old to continue in being active (as with a parish) because of his age: but how he could accompany us – sons and daughters of Eugene de Mazenod.

    What are my excuses?

    No excuses given, but rather finding a way to trust in the Spirit and live that in the present moment…

    Reply

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