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’s sense of being totally “at home” with God the Father, was reflected throughout his life in his own relationship with his “children” in the Oblate Congregation and in the Diocese of Marseille.
Because Eugene loved his parents equally he was torn apart by their divorce and longed for a reconciliation – 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.
If 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. 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.
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’s will.
Retreat Journal, December 1814, O.W. XV n.130
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name…
I learned this prayer as a little girl and it always seemed so long a prayer. It was a prayer that I learned to recite, I knew the words. Unlike Eugene there was no bond of love between me and my father, only fear and violence which I carried over with You. But gradually with the grace of forgiveness I was able to look at my earthly father, at you (not in that order). I found myself calling Eugene himself my father, for that is how I have come to think of him. But it is only in the past year, year and a half that I hear the Spirit singing within me as I awaken; “Our Father…” I find more and more often that these are the first words I utter when I wake up and the last before going to sleep. There is a tenderness in calling in your name and I find myself running into your embrace, for I am your daughter, a child of God. With this prayer, more than just the words, my whole being gives itself over to your will, over to you, both inside and out. I ask you to fill me, to give me all that I need, and to put me in the right space of mind to have you always before me.
Just as most little girls learn to run to their father in trust and confidence that they are loved and will be nourished and cared for and that they will be shielded from all harm, so I too allow myself to turn into your embrace, placing myself under your protection and knowing you give me all that I need. I am a child of God, your daughter and as I nestle into your heart I find myself whispering, sighing with infinite tenderness one word, Abba.