THERE MUST BE NO RESERVATIONS IN THE GIFT OF OURSELVES TO GOD (Constitution 2)

Posted on March 12, 2025 by franksantucci

We strive to reproduce in ourselves the pattern of his life. Thus, we give ourselves to the Father in obedience even unto death and dedicate ourselves to God’s people in unselfish love. (Constitution 2)

Eugene’s words to young Brother Charles Baret, who had just professed his perpetual vows:

Accustom yourself, my dear son, to have confidence in the Lord, without reservation whatsoever. We must become entirely generous toward our Father who is so good and, at the same time, both so great and so powerful. There must be no reservations in the gift of ourselves to him. He knows your needs, he knows the lawful desires of your heart: that’s all that is needed.
Rightfully he wants us to consider ourselves so honored, so happy to be admitted into the intimacy of his privileged disciples, that in exchange and in gratitude we give ourselves to him without reserve and without conditions…

Eugene’s letter to Brother Charles Baret, at Notre Dame de L’Osier, 18 August 1843

Saint Eugene’s words continue to be relevant for all of us in whichever situation we respond to the Saviour’s love. In today’s Charismatic Family, constituted around Eugene’s charism, every act of dedication to God and service to neighbour is an act of oblation.

This entry was posted in WRITINGS. Bookmark the permalink.

1 Response to THERE MUST BE NO RESERVATIONS IN THE GIFT OF OURSELVES TO GOD (Constitution 2)

  1. Eleanor Rabnett, Oblate Associate says:
    March 12, 2025 at 13:24

    The wording of the 2nd Constitution is without conditions, qualifications or loop holes. We give ourselves to God in obedience; freely and without expectations or demands.

    Our love is not to make ourselves feel good about ourselves, or to try and prove our own worthiness. God has not filled our lives with love so that we can bury it deep within us to be treasured just by our own small selves. I think of the Gospel when we are invited to find our light which is truly the light of God and St. Eugene mingled within our own charismatic light; which we are told to not hide under a bushel (ref Matthew 5:15) but rather to let it burn brightly so that all can see. No smoldering wicks…

    Dare I dream of dying and being welcomed to heaven and meeting St. Eugene in the fullness of new life, hearing him call me one of his “Lay Oblates” and introducing me to his other sons and daughters who are there to greet me.

    Such a love eventually becomes a part of our DNA, of our breathing in and breathing out. “There must be no reservations in the gift of ourselves to him.”

    Our oblation is to God, the Church, our Oblate brothers and sisters and all those we meet. I am reminded of that statement from President John F. Kennedy who said: “Ask not what your country can do for you, but rather what you can do for your country.”

    Reply

Leave a Reply to Eleanor Rabnett, Oblate Associate Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *