From the first day of the coming together of the Missionaries, Eugene insisted on the quality of life of each member, and the importance of “being” men of Jesus Christ before their “doing” as men of action. They had to be concerned with the quality of their humanity, deeply Christian and striving for personal sanctity themselves before they could preach to others. If the “doing” became exaggerated, then the quality of the “being” of the missionary would suffer and so it would become a vicious circle.
In this retreat Eugene realized that he had not lived a harmony between these two aspects, and now he was suffering the consequences in an intense way.
I have to acknowledge that the multiplicity of tasks that overwhelms me, have done infinite harm to the accomplishment of the resolutions I took under God’s inspiration.
That state of continual activity I am in is unbelievably prejudicial to my interior life; and the way I carry out my duties is visibly harming my health.
So all this must be dealt with.
Retreat Notes, July-August 1816, O.W. XV n 139
“They had to be concerned with the quality of their humanity, deeply Christian and striving for personal sanctity themselves before they could preach to others.” This was for themselves in order for them to be able to offer it to others as it is stated in the Preface. How could any of us think that we might be able to share with other that which we do not know and experience ourselves?
Eugene is recognising for a second time that simply ‘doing’ will not work, he must take care of his body as well as his spirit and allow both to be nourished. We see him doing this over and over again throughout his life; and throughout his life his passion and zeal would threaten to overtake him and and necessitate God speaking through his family to remind him and insist that he must take proper care of himself.
If I neglect my body and it’s needs, if I forget to nourish myself physically my spirit will suffer as well.
I look at my small “Daily Inspirations” calendar: “…Providen wishes our growth to take place in the midst of tribulations.” ( 1836 letter to Fr. Courtes) I did not choose or expect to hear where my thoughts and prayers have led me to this morning. But God knows me, just as God knew/knows Eugene. This is why I continue to come here each morning, to sit and listen as Eugene shares his experience of God – to listen as Eugene speaks to us…