Better Now

Apr 9

When I entered the Oblates, my first superior was Fr. John Lehner, OSFS. Of all the Oblates, John is most often the one compared to Francis de Sales himself. I can attest to John’s love, gentleness, patience, and meekness.

While living with John, I would walk to the chapel for Mass every morning and greet him, “Good morning John. How are you?” And every morning John would pause, look at me, and say, “Better now that I’ve seen you.” Every morning.

Blessed Louis Brisson, OSFS, wrote to the Oblates: “The Constitutions say that we are not to pass one another without a greeting.” John lived that insight from Brisson. Not only did he greet me every morning, but he also included a pause.

The first 100 times John said: “Better now that I’ve seen you,” I thought, “How nice this is! That is a very kind thing to say.” This thought did not continue.

When I heard it 101 times, my internal response changed, “How can he say that? I bet he says that to everyone. He doesn’t mean it.” Luckily, this was just a momentary thought.

Finally, when he said it the 300th time, I thought: “Wow, he really means it.” Something changed. This was significant because at the same time we were having our morning exchanges, I was learning to live in community. As the superior of the house, John would have known all the little annoyances, inconveniences, and struggles that come from living with me. I was becoming aware of these imperfections, and knowing them made it hard to believe, “Better now that I’ve seen you.” Any yet, John faithfully reminded me every day.

In a conference to the Oblates, Fr. Brisson reminded us that love of neighbor is on par with love of God and follows it immediately. In the section of our Constitutions on our Salesian Life, it says our mutual love of neighbor participates in our salvation. John’s invitation for mutuality in the hallway every morning was part of our common salvation story. He believed it, “Better now that I’ve seen you.” Ditto John. Ditto.

May God be Praised!