Carmelite wisdom to encourage & inspire
Bishop Silvio José Báez, o.c.d. reflects on the Jesus' admonition that we must carry our own cross and follow him to be his disciple. The bishop says that "when Jesus speaks of the cross, he isn't simply talking about suffering. The cross is synonymous with extreme love, like that of Jesus."
St. John of the Cross offers a commentary on our Sunday Gospel in The Ascent of Mount Carmel when he discusses "the vanity of rejoicing over riches, titles, status, positions," etc. "If people were better servants of God by being richer, they would be obliged to rejoice in riches."
St. Teresa of Avila is overflowing with love and praise as she begins her commentary on the Lord's prayer. "O my Lord, how You do show Yourself to be the Father of such a Son; and how Your Son does show Himself to be the Son of such a Father! May You be blessed forever and ever!"
St. John of the Cross, discussing the kinds of places where God chooses to be "invoked and worshipped", mentions Mount Horeb, "to which he sent our Father Elijah". John goes on to offer spiritual guidance for his readers based on the examples.
Discalced Carmelite historian Peter-Thomas Rohrbach shows us how our First Reading for the 13th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C) fits within the Carmelite legend of Elijah and Elisha and the Carmelite tradition, which indicates that we have inherited their double spirit.
"The Apostle would have us keep silence, for in silence he tells us to work. As the Prophet also makes known to us: Silence is the way to foster holiness. Elsewhere he says: Your strength will lie in silence and hope."
St. John Paul II reflects on the Gospel account of the woman in the crowd who raised her voice and cried out to Jesus, "Blessed is the womb that bore you, and the breasts that you sucked!"
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.
In St. Teresa's commentary on the Our Father, she writes, "if we return to Him like the prodigal son, He has to pardon us. He has to console us in our trials. He has to sustain us in the way a father like this must."
With the help of the book called the Bible, we read and understand the book of life, we listen to the Lord through life's events and we prepare ourselves to respond to Him.
No one has looked more deeply into the hidden abyss of the divine life than [St John]. Therefore, he proclaims the mystery of the eternal birth of the Divine Word in the liturgy each feast day during the days of Christmas.
In regard to his parents, Christ was completely submissive and never evaded their authority. When necessary, he explains to his parents in confidential conversations and gentle words, just who he is and just what lies ahead according to the ancient prophecies.
Carmelites [...] feel constrained to undertake this persevering march toward the mountain of God where fire burns but does not consume.
Compared to the infinite goodness of God, all the goodness of the creatures of the world can be called wickedness. [...] Those who set their hearts on the good things of the world become extremely wicked in the sight of God.
Strive to preserve your heart in peace; let no event of this world disturb it...
In our 2021 Novena to Saint John of the Cross, we will journey along the path of self-denial and love of the cross as he did with one goal in mind: to grow in the union of love with God who is Love.
Here are the beginning paragraphs of St. Teresa's commentary on the Lord's Prayer: "You desire that He consider us His children, because Your word cannot fail."
St. John of the Cross reminds us that "God’s purpose is to exalt the soul". That is why he came down, "so profound is the humility and sweetness of God".
The offense that the misguided people give to the Lord by their manner of worship hurts Elijah so much that he wants to die.
Now I dream of sharing with you "the hidden manna"... It is only because it is hidden that this heavenly manna attracts you less than "the onions of Egypt"
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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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