Oblates of St. Francis de Sales

New DeSales World Newsletter - Summer Edition

25TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (September 23, 2007)

Suggested Emphasis

"Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much."

Salesian Perspective

"One small step for a man. One giant leap for mankind."

Astronaut Neil Armstrong's words -- accompanied as they were by the "thump" of his foot on the moon's surface -- created a global image that affirmed once again our potential as men and women. It also gave us an image that inspires future men and women to work together to realize still more dimensions of our human potential.

In his book Soul Mates (p viii), Thomas Moore approaches "soul making" very much in terms of symbols and imagination. In fact, his major premise with respect to conversion and transformation is that changing imagery is crucial to changing priorities and behaviors.

Changing priorities and behaviors was very much the thrust of St. Francis de Sales in his Introduction to the Devout Life. One fundamental change he was about involved the whole image of holiness in Catholic life. The prevailing image was the monastery, which saw the committed Catholic life as a project of distance from the affairs of the world. The new image was the court, which saw the committed Catholic life as a project of engagement in the affairs of the world. He comments, "Where ever we may be, we can and should aspire to live a committed life." (IDL, Part 1, Chapter 3)

This Salesian image offers a lens for seeing the message of today's Scriptures. Luke in his parable and Amos in his prophetic pronouncement speak to the man or woman engaged in the business of life and call them to live in such a way as to give the fullest expression to their God-given dignity and destiny. Amos, from the negative side castigates "so called" believers who cannot wait for the liturgy to be over so they can return to fraud in the pursuit of profits. Jesus positively notes the unjust steward's prudence in meeting his needs in a crisis. He wishes this quality of clever prudence for all committed believers who want to love and serve God with their lives in and out of crisis.

What can sustain the committed Catholic in the way of clever prudence? De Sales offers an image for prayer and reflection to care for the soul in this situation. He tells the committed Catholic, "Imitate little children who with one hand hold fast to their father while with the other they gather berries from the hedge." (IDL, Part 3, Chapter 10)

The most important thing we can do to become our whole selves in the business world (or anywhere for that matter) is to make an effort to stay connected. Time spent in honest prayer and reflection helps us connect with ourselves, with our values, with our faith community, our neighbor, and quintessentially with our God. Behind this Salesian image lies Francis de Sales' awareness of what can happen to the best of intentions "in the midst of so much busyness." (Letters of Spiritual Direction, p. 163)

Justice, like its counterparts beauty, truth, and love, can too often remain an abstraction. Fairness woven into the heart of the committed catholic businessman or woman (indeed, anyone) could collectively be such a "giant leap for mankind" in the direction of a more just and loving world.

Rev. Michael S. Murray, OSFS, is the Executive Director of the De Sales Spirituality Center.