Carmelite wisdom to encourage & inspire
Upon the death of a lay sister in the Carmel of Cologne, St. Edith Stein wrote to a friend that she was not worried about her "Master" Edmund Husserl, who was seriously ill and, in fact, would die one month later. Edith had one, straightforward reason not to worry: "It has always been far from me to think that God's mercy allows itself to be circumscribed by the visible church's boundaries. God is truth"
Writing to a nun, as he could to each one of us, Brother Lawrence prays for patience and strength that she may be able to suffer as long as God desires. "Find consolation in him... happy are they who suffer with him."
Today St. Edith Stein teaches us that compassionate love and mercy flow "from the divine heart." The prophet Isaiah reminds us that "the Lord waits to be gracious;" and "all those who wait for him" are blessed.
Drawing a life lesson from the parable of the Good Samaritan, Bishop Silvio José Báez says that "it doesn't take much" to identify with others and to become personally engaged. Remember, "The Good Samaritan had only a little wine and olive oil."
St. Thérèse of Lisieux explains what the work of a Good Samaritan can be in everyday life: "A word and a kind smile often are enough to cheer up a sad soul."
God fills my being to the brim with floods of His immensity. I drown within a drop of Him whose sea-bed is infinity....
We began the month of May rejoicing with St John of the Cross in the knowledge that "the Mother of God is mine." Today, Bishop Báez reminds us who she is. "Mary reveals herself to us: empty of self, placing all her trust in the Father's mercy."
Blessed Anne of St. Bartholomew was beatified on this date in 1917. Pope Benedict XV invoked her as a "defender of the peace" in the midst of World War I
On the evening of that unforgettable "first day of the week," the day of the Lord's resurrection, Jesus appeared to the disciples, full of mercy. He didn't reproach them; he didn't accuse or reject them. Instead, he offered them his peace.
Bishop Báez, preaching on the encounter of the Risen Christ with his disciples offers a timely commentary: "The Risen Christ always frees us and opens up horizons of mercy. Whoever believes in him and welcomes him always receives forgiveness as a gift..."
Bishop Silvio José Báez, o.c.d. explores the theological depths of Christ's death on the cross: "The cross of Jesus is the cathedra of infinite love, limitless forgiveness, and mercy that can change the world."
This week, let’s take time to meditate on chapters 22 and 23 of Luke's gospel. Fr. Denis-Marie Ghesquières, OCD writes, "the evangelist chose the events of the Passion to bear witness not so much to the cruelty of men as to the goodness of Jesus towards these same people. They all are the object of his mercy: the women, the executioners, the thieves crucified with him, and even the leaders of the people."
We celebrate the baptism of St. Teresa with an excerpt from the Book of Her Life: "He never tires of giving, nor can He exhaust His mercies. Let us not tire of receiving."
Commenting on the Gospel story of Jesus and the woman caught in adultery, Fr. Denis-Marie Ghesquières, OCD writes, "Jesus challenges each one of the onlookers to search his heart and, faced with the woman's sin, to question himself! A new path can open up by setting out from the truth about oneself in the presence of Jesus..."
One may kneel down and make a plea with words from book or breviary... But some day, hidden by His will, if this meek child is waiting still, God will take out His mercy-key and open up felicity, where saltiest tears are given right to seas where sapphire marries light
St. Thérèse of Lisieux wrote a small play about the flight into Egypt and St. Joseph has a speech in the play about God's goodness and mercy. God "will magnificently reward not only the striking things done for Him, but also the simple desires to serve Him and love Him, because He sees everything."
Especially during Lent try to have periods of solitude, silence, and recollection alone with Jesus in the desert. Minister to him with the angels, work for him after the example of St. Joseph in the home of Nazareth and live in the world as if not living there...
Lord, nothing here below can comfort me, neither creation, nor Heaven, nor earth, nor men, nor angels, nothing can give me the joy, the peace that I have lost in losing you, my God.
Discalced Carmelite provincial delegate Father Józef Kucharczyk in Kyiv says, "Our presence here in Ukraine is important so that the people can feel this kind of security—spiritual security." Learn about the initiatives that the faithful bring to him to unite in prayer.
In the world's great hour of need, Carmelites can follow the example of Blessed Anne of St. Bartholomew: "I was seized about midnight with a great fear and I commenced to pray, my arms extended towards heaven."
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Let nothing disturb you, Let nothing frighten you, All things are passing away: God never changes. Patience obtains all things. Whoever has God lacks nothing; God alone suffices. ~ St. Teresa of Avila
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