Meditating on the Gospel of the Flight to Egypt, leads Eugene to reflect on his relationship with God the Father. The words come easily to him because of his own excellent relationship with his father, Charles Antoine. Eugene\u2019s sense of being totally \u201cat home\u201d with God the Father, was reflected throughout his life in his own relationship with his \u201cchildren\u201d in the Oblate Congregation and in the Diocese of Marseille.<\/p>\n
Because Eugene loved his parents equally he was torn apart by their divorce and longed for a reconciliation \u2013 which never happened. It is not surprising that many regard St Eugene as a patron of families in difficulties. He understood the suffering, and still does today.<\/p>\n
\nIf our faith were more lively we would say with more confidence this word that we have so often on our lips, and, it is to be feared, so rarely in the heart: Our Father who art in heaven. <\/em>This consoling word that we should pronounce only with the most tender feeling of love and thanksgiving is the basis of all our hopes, the greatest motive we could have to abandon ourselves without anxiety to all the dispositions of Providence. Since God is our Father, it is for him to provide for all our needs, watch over the dangers that threaten us, etc.<\/strong><\/h5>\n
Our adorable Saviour who was also his Son (not merely by adoption like us, but through divine and eternal generation) has given us the example of the consequences we should draw from this sublime prerogative. His whole life was for us a model of this filial abandonment to his Father\u2019s will.<\/strong><\/h5>\n
Retreat Journal, December 1814, O.W. XV n.130<\/em><\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Meditating on the Gospel of the Flight to Egypt, leads Eugene to reflect on his relationship with God the Father. The words come easily to him because of his own excellent relationship with his father, Charles Antoine. Eugene\u2019s sense of … Continue reading