Reflection on St. John Eudes, Priest (Br Martin Arlando)

There is an old story about the rabbi who asked his disciples how they knew that night had ended and the day was on its way back. “Could it be”, asked one, “when you can see an animal in the distance and tell whether it is a sheep or a dog?”

“No” the rabbi said.

“Well, then, what is it?” the disciples pressed.
“It is when you look on the face of any woman or man and see that she or he is your sister or brother. Because if you cannot do this, no matter what time it is, it is still night.”


Today the Church commemorates the memoria of St. John Eudes, Priest (1601 – 1680). He is probably best known for the central theme of his writings where he says Jesus is the source of holiness, whereas Mary is the model of the Christian life.

This is quite appropriate in his life as he ministered to the sick and to the fallen, conducted missions, founded religious orders and established new devotions. When he felt overwhelmed by all the tasks he had taken on, he prayed for help from God and found new strength in that grace.
We could say that he saw and recognized God in others and served them to the best of his ability. Our wish, our object, our chief preoccupation must be to form Jesus in ourselves, to make his spirit, his devotion, his affections, his desires and his disposition live and reign there.

Encountering Jesus close to us we let His love flow unto others as we serve them as Jesus came to serve and not to be served. All our religious exercises should be directed to this end. It is the work which God has given us to do unceasingly.

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Stay tuned for the next post by Br Aloysius Tan on 21st Aug 2010.