Eugene is learning to come to his senses about the limitations that his body places on his missionary zeal. He needs to ensure the necessary energy to put his ideals into practice.
Looking after the body
Soul and body are too closely linked to ignore the infinite importance of regulating the body’s habits in such a way that it does no harm to the operations of the soul through exhaustion, etc.
It is more sensible to deal with it wisely and so be able to govern it and keep it always in dependence on the soul, in such wise as to lend it support, etc., than if, by compelling this mule, one were to reduce it to exhaustion, to the point of its lying down on the ground and being no longer in a state to go on walking. I have experience of such a set-back.
Without a doubt it is annoying that the body’s energies do not match the activity of the soul, but that is how it is and that is God’s will. So one has to go along with this way things are structured and get what one can from the donkey, and not refuse him what is indispensably necessary for him to do his work.
Retreat Notes, July-August 1816, O.W. XV n 139
From this time on, he begins to insist on the same message for the welfare of his missionaries – even though occasionally he allows himself to be carried away by his zeal and does not practice what he preaches.