These are the words ringing in the ears of every newly professed Oblate as he receives the book of the OMI Constitutions and Rules. These are the words ringing out in the hearts of the lay members of the Oblate Charismatic Family as they make their commitment to live by the spirit and charism of St Eugene.
Having just celebrated February 17, we now begin our journey of preparation to commemorate 200 years of the Church’s approval of our Rule and the spirit and way of life it proposes. In these daily reflections I invite you to join me on this pilgrimage.
The Oblate Brothers and priests are bound to follow every prescription of this Rule, while the lay members of our Family are invited to live by its spirit and whatever is applicable to their way of life. Our approach as we reflect on the Rule is to let its pages speak to us as pilgrims on a common journey.
“Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus said to him, “What is written in the law? How do you read it?” He said in reply, “You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your being, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” He replied to him, “You have answered correctly; do this and you will live.” (Luke 10, 25-28).
Live the Gospel and you will live! The Constitutions and Rules are a reflection of the Gospel through the eyes of St. Eugene and our charism. They were recognized as such and approved by the Church in 1826.
Today we read:
The Constitutions and Rules set out a privileged means for each [member of the] Oblate [Charismatic Family] to follow in the footsteps of Jesus Christ. They are inspired by the charism lived by the Founder and his first companions; also, they have received the approval of the Church. (Constitution 163)
It is impossible to adequately describe the joy within my heart this morning, for within me a spirit dances with overwhelming love, much as does the flame of a candle. A light bulb gives off light, but a flame not only gives light, but also life as it dances through our hearts.
I struggle to find the words to describe what is happening within me as I look out my window where clouds are gathering, coming together and the outline is is a band of pink, reflecting the sun’s rising and all the small individual clouds behind that band are becoming pink also as they seem to merge and become one. In some of the business and living towers the sun has hit their windows; lighting them up as individual flames which quickly become one as if a great flame was taking over the face of those buildings.
This morning’s invitation to deepen the Constitutions and Rules living within us, beckons us to come together, as members of this Oblate Charismatic Family through which we find ourselves growing closer together within the heart of Jesus. I am not able to memorize them, but I can recognize them. I open the OMI Rule of Life so as to find what I am searching for and never do they disappoint me. They offer me a way of going deeper, of becoming more alive in the loving service to God, to the Church and to each other and all who I am invited to meet and share my experience of God.
A new adventure for us to join in together, with joy and gratitude; no matter our role or state of life…