MEN AND WOMEN SET APART FOR THE GOSPEL (CONSTITUTION 2)

Posted on March 10, 2025 by franksantucci

We are men “set apart for the Gospel” (Rom 1: 1), men ready to leave everything to be disciples of Jesus. (Constitution 2)

This is the Rule of life of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate, so this statement refers to our vocation of following Jesus.

But does it only apply to the vowed Oblates? Definitely not, because at baptism each Christian was “claimed for Christ our Savior.” In other words, each of us has been “set apart for the Gospel” – every baptised man or woman is called to make the fundamental option of putting God in the first place. “To whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life (John 6,68).” With the Gospel as our guide, we choose to leave everything that prevents us from communion with him and with one another.

Each member of the Oblate Charismatic Family is called upon to make the choice every day all those things that make of every day’s activity a step in following Jesus and making him known

A PRAYER

“The choice for your way has to be made every moment of my life.

I have to choose thoughts that are your thoughts

Words that are your words, and actions that are your actions.”

(Henri Nouwen – https://www.thespiritlife.net )

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One Response to MEN AND WOMEN SET APART FOR THE GOSPEL (CONSTITUTION 2)

  1. Eleanor Rabnett, Oblate Associate says:
    March 10, 2025 at 12:38

    Eleanor, I love you and have called you by name: you are Mine.” These are the words that I heard Jesus say to me, even as he was converting me, transforming me in a most radical way. It was only some years later that I learned those words were said to Isaiah.

    Today, I find myself silently singing: Rejoice, rejoice. He is Risen, He is Risen, Alleluia.” I know that we are in Lent, a time “set apart” as we journey together towards Jesus’s entry to Jerusalem, his passion, death and resurrection. My experience is spiritual and physical at the same time.

    At first I wanted to change the wording of a few of the Constitutions, but slowly I have come to accept them as they are: only because I am drawn to this way of living and being and I will not allow a few words to turn me away. Where else would I go, as Jesus claimed me as his own?. We are people set apart!

    We dare and have the courage to be called to becoming, to entering into a particular flow of life which frees us to become together… Our vocation of following Jesus in most particular way. Later in the evening of my conversion experience I felt that God was asking me to Love. I responded with a whispered yes, explaining to Him that I would need to give all of myself in love to Him; only then would I be able to love everyone else. I kept that response secret for the longest time.

    Filled with gratitude I sing: Rejoice, Rejoice…

    Reply

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