“Our love for the Church inspires us…” (Constitution 6)
Writing to his mother who was vehemently opposed to the idea of his becoming a priest, Eugene reminded her of what happens at Baptism:
So do not grudge, dear mama, do not grudge this poor Church, so terribly abandoned, scorned, trampled underfoot – but which even so was the one who gave birth to us all in Jesus Christ – the dedication that two or three individuals out of the whole of France (a small number I count myself happy to be one of) wish to pay her of their liberty and life. And what reason could you possibly have for wanting me to delay any longer from committing myself, and devoting myself to the Spouse of Jesus Christ?”
Letter to his mother, 11 October 1809, EO XIV n.61
At our baptism these words were addressed to each of us: “ N., the Christian community welcomes you with great joy. In its name I claim you for Christ our Savior by the sign of his cross. I now trace the cross on your forehead, and invite your parents and godparents to do the same.”
This is why we are called to love the Church.
Off and on during and after my reflection yesterday I could not help but to think of the fullness that each of these constitutions bring about within us; they are like the limbs of our body coming together in the working of our very beings – body, heart and spirit.
Some years ago I decided to train for a Body Building competition. During that time I came across some articles that were written about how the muscles in our bodies worked; within the workings of each atom in itself and with the other atoms and flowing out from that order to the rest of our bodies. Our very creation brought a certain order to the body just as order was brought into all of creation. This was no accidental evolution that just happened: it was intentional from the very beginning. They serve to make us whole and be a part of something that is much larger and more important than their own order in life.
“We coordinate our missionary activity with the overall pastoral plan of the local churches where we work, and we collaborate in a [familial] spirit with others who work for the Gospel. …in our hope for the coming of God’s reign, we are united with all those who, without acknowledging Christ as Lord, nevertheless love what [God] loves.”
In making our vows/commitments we offer our oblation, to and with each other, the Church and God.