On the anniversary of Father Marcou’s death, Eugene’s reminiscences led him to recall an incident involving him when he was a member of the Aix youth congregation
An incident which recalls the lives of the saints occurred one day when, as was customary for the members, he came to see me. He was beside himself, carried away by a holy anger. He quickly explained to me the reason for his fury. He had just met some depraved creatures who used language to him which he rightly judged to be scandalous. He was more than angry. Not content with having responded by striking them vigorously with his umbrella, he regretted not having struck hard enough. In order to discourage them from returning to the attack, he wanted to return to the place where he had met these miserable wretches and promised to give them a lesson they would not forget. The only way in which I could persuade him not to do so was by pointing out that it would be sinful to give these unfortunate villains occasion to offer further insult to God. At that time Fr. Marcou was about fifteen years old.
Diary of 20 August 1838, E.O. XIX
“My dear brothers and sisters,take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speakand slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.”James 1,19-20
What a wonderful memory to have of another. At first when I read the title of this morning’s post, I was sure it was something that Eugene himself did – it sounds like something he might have done. I seem to have spent the best part of my time here today simply sitting and thinking of the incident described by Eugene and then memories of some of the people whom I have loved and who long ago died. It strikes me that love has the power to change how we view and receive the gifts that God puts before us. Jacques Marcou who has so little written about him in the Historical Dictionary and who was described as being fairly ordinary but who had an “eloquence of the heart” but who solid in his zeal and love. That is what matters.
This morning has been an unexpected gift of joy and gratefulness. On Monday I felt like a part of me had been turned upside down and shaken a bit. I (secretly) derided myself for being who I am, but even more for who I am not. But in doing that I then became a little more free to look at who I am and how God has guided me; at who he has put in my path to shepherd me should I want to follow and be with them. It is a morning of gratitude for all that I have been given – it is enough to feed me and give me the the courage and strength that will carry me through all that I must do this coming weekend, to walk through the niggles of fear and doubt that could be obstacles to being more fully alive – but only if I let them.
In the light of the quote from James, it would seem that I have once again missed the point of this posting. But where I have been led, what I have been given – I thank you God.