CONFIDE OURSELVES TO THE GOODNESS OF GOD WHO NEVER ABANDONS US WHEN WE ARE WHAT WE SHOULD BE

Posted on July 28, 2023 by franksantucci

After chiding Fr Allard for exaggerating in his critical expressions, Eugene gives him fatherly advice.

What then must be done? Let us believe we were mistaken and put all our efforts into deriving all possible benefit from the position in which the good God places us. One should then regret having pronounced oneself too strongly in a sense contrary to that which divine Providence has chosen. Instead of murmuring, let each be concerned with his duty and confide himself to the goodness of God who never abandons us when we are what we should be.

Eugene constantly refers to the spirit of oblation, of giving ourselves to being God’s instruments by doing God’s will.

I like to repeat that we must comply with joy, happiness and the most entire surrender to the most holy will of God and cooperate with all our power in the accomplishing of His designs which can only be for the greater glory of His holy name and our own good, that is, the good of us who are his submissive and devoted children. Let no one draw back from this attitude and henceforth let all misgivings cease, all murmurs, all statements quite contrary, to these incontestable principles.

As the father of the Oblate Family, Eugene concludes as he often did when writing to his sons:

Adieu, my dear Father Allard. Keep in mind my observations which even if they must be severe, weaken in no wise the esteem and affection that God gives me for all my children and for you in particular whom I bless with all my heart and tenderly embrace.

Letter to Fr. Jean-Francois Allard in Canada, 8 and 9 July 1847, EO I n 85

REFLECTION

“The supreme rule regarding fraternal correction is love: to want the good of our brothers and sisters”  (Pope Francis)

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One Response to CONFIDE OURSELVES TO THE GOODNESS OF GOD WHO NEVER ABANDONS US WHEN WE ARE WHAT WE SHOULD BE

  1. Eleanor Rabnett, Lay Oblate says:
    July 28, 2023 at 13:05

    Today we catch more glimpses of Eugene: Founder and father. His love for Fr. Allard is visible and he writes to assure Allard of that love “…the esteem and affection that God gives me for all my children and for you in particular”…

    Eugene draws on his own gracewd experience regarding loving correction – and that is all that any of us can do

    This way of loving is real, true love… There is that image from Dali of Jesus on the cross looking down upon each and every one of us, then, now and to come… Love so total and full, unmeasurable for every single one of us, as if we were the only recipient of such love (that is there for the taking for all, especially when we are fearful, struggling and hurting).

    We have witnessed this kind of love in so many of the members of the Oblate Family over the years and at the moment the image of Fr. Chicho comes to mind as he endeavors to meet all the members of the Oblate Family around the world and which we are able to witness and take into our hearts, especially with the use of technology which brings us together in new ways.

    We witness this kind of love in parents who love all of their children and at times one in particular when they are struggling and fearful.

    I believe that there is a little of both St. Eugene and Allard in each of us. There is a grace for all, should we take the risk to give ourselves totally in oblation – to God, to the Church, to our family and to all whom we meet. We enter into this flow of love and it becomes a part of us….

    At the end of the day what more can we ask for…

    Reply

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